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The guitars, amps, and pedals behind the players you love.

The 5 Best Budget Modeling Amps in 2026 (That Actually Sound Incredible)
SIGNATURE GEAR

The 5 Best Budget Modeling Amps in 2026 (That Actually Sound Incredible)

Big tone, small budget, zero excuses. We tested today's best affordable modeling amps — from the Boss Katana to the Spark 2 — and ranked the five that genuinely sound incredible without breaking the bank.

The Guitar Plugged·June 11, 2026 10 min
The Fender California Vintage King Antigua Is Unlike Any Acoustic I've Played
SIGNATURE GEAR

The Fender California Vintage King Antigua Is Unlike Any Acoustic I've Played

A hands-on review of the Fender California Vintage King Antigua — the bold Antigua finish, traditional Fender headstock, Fishman Presys VT Plus electronics, premium gold-lined hardshell case, and a surprisingly resonant voice that feels nothing like a typical production acoustic.

Patrick Joseph Lawlor·May 13, 2026 6 min
The Modern Working Rig: Fender, Charvel & Line 6 Picks for 2026
SIGNATURE GEAR

The Modern Working Rig: Fender, Charvel & Line 6 Picks for 2026

From the Fender Player Series workhorse to the American Pro II flagship, Charvel's superstrat shred machines, and the Line 6 Helix that ties it all together — here's the gear we'd actually buy this year.

TheGuitarPlugged·Apr 29, 2026 8 min
Why the Marshall JCM800 Is Still the King of Rock Tone
SIGNATURE GEAR

Why the Marshall JCM800 Is Still the King of Rock Tone

Four decades on, the 100-watt JCM800 2203 still defines hard rock bark. We A/B a clean 1984 head against the current 2203X to hear why nothing punches a mix like an 800.

TheGuitarPlugged·Apr 22, 2026 8 min
The Best Stratocasters Under $1,000 Right Now
SIGNATURE GEAR

The Best Stratocasters Under $1,000 Right Now

From Fender’s revamped Player II to PRS’s dialed-in Silver Sky SE, these are the S-style workhorses that actually earn their keep under a grand—what to buy, what to skip, and why it matters.

TheGuitarPlugged·Apr 15, 2026 11 min