Matt McCracken

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Junior Deals Writer

Matt is a Junior Deals Writer at Guitar Player and has been playing guitar as his main instrument for well over 20 years. He also plays drums, bass, and keys producing out of his home studio in Manchester, UK. He has previously worked for Dawsons Music, Northwest Guitars, and freelanced for various magazines and blogs, writing reviews, how-to's, and features. When he's not downloading the latest VSTs or justifying yet another guitar pedal purchase, you'll find him making music with Northern noise hounds JACKALS.

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Latest articles by Matt McCracken

A Line 6 HX Stomp multi-effects processor on a dark floor

Best Pedal Amps 2023: Power Up Your Pedalboard With An Amp In A Box

By Matt McCracken published 11 September 23

Save on visits to the chiropractor with our pick of the best pedalboard-friendly amp simulators

Three Fender guitars on a yellow background

The Fender Labor Day Sale Arrives Early With Up To 30% Off A Massive Range Of Guitar Gear

By Matt McCracken published 24 August 23

Get huge discounts on electrics, acoustics, accessories, apparel, and loads more this Labor Day weekend

Best Looper Pedals 2023: Our Top Pick Of Loop Pedals For Practice And Live Performance

By Matt McCracken last updated 1 August 23

Fatten up your live performances and enhance your practice regimen with the leading looper pedals from Boss, TC Electronic, MXR, EHX, and more

Strymon Volante delay pedal on a wooden floor

Best Delay Pedals 2023: Elevate Your Tone From Subtle To Stratospheric

By Matt McCracken published 26 July 23

Make your tone massive with our pick of the best delay stompboxes from Line 6, Boss, Strymon and more

Three Fender guitars on a blue background

Save Big On Vintage-Inspired Guitars with a Massive 20% Discount on Fender Vintera Series Guitars

By Matt McCracken published 25 July 23

Fender’s vintage-meets-modern guitars have got a serious discount over at the official Fender shop, but only whilst stocks last

Man plays Positive Grid Spark amplifier with electric guitar

Save Up to 25% On Positive Grid's Awesome Smart Amps In The Amazon Prime Day Sale

By Matt McCracken published 11 July 23

Make your practice perfect for less with these brilliant smart amplifiers

Fender Mustang Micro practice amp on a wooden floor

Best Practice Amps 2023: The 10 Best Amps For Guitar Practice

By Matt McCracken last updated 10 July 23

Keep your chops in tip-top shape with the best practice amps from Fender, Marshall, Boss and more

Closeup of some Evidence Audio guitar cables with straight and angled jack plugs

Best Guitar Cables 2023: Hard-working Cables That Will Preserve Your Tone

By Matt McCracken last updated 7 July 23

Make sure your guitar tone stays pure and unfiltered with our pick of the best guitar cables

Orange Rocker amplifier on a wooden floor

Best Guitar Amps Under $1,000 in 2023: Great Guitar Tones Without Breaking The Bank

By Matt McCracken last updated 5 July 23

Make your move into serious amplification territory with the best sub-$1,000 guitar amps

Strum Your Way To Summer Bliss With A Massive 20% Off Select Fender Ukuleles

By Matt McCracken published 4 July 23

Get your summer soundtrack started with these awesome deals over at the Fender website - only available whilst stocks last

Best Acoustic Guitar Strings: Closeup of the steel strings on a Sigma acoustic guitar

Best Acoustic Guitar Strings 2023: Our Top Picks From Budget To Boutique

By Matt McCracken last updated 22 June 23

If you’re serious about your unplugged performance, make sure you have a set of the best acoustic strings on your guitar

Pair of Vox headphones lying on a guitar

Best Guitar Amp Headphones 2023: Our Top Choices For Covert Practice Sessions

By Matt McCracken published 31 May 23

Play your guitar ear-responsibly with these superb headphones from Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser and more

Make Father’s Day Unforgettable With Free Gifts And Money Off Positive Grid’s Spark Amps And BIAS Software

By Matt McCracken published 29 May 23

Celebrate Father’s Day with these amazing deals on Positive Grid’s Spark, Spark Mini, BIAS software, and more

Two electric guitars and a bass guitar on a turquoise background

Get Up To 20% Off Loads Of Great Music Gear In Guitar Center’s Massive Guitar-A-Thon Spring Sale

By Matt McCracken published 13 April 23

Grab yourself some huge savings on all your favorite guitar brands with Fender, Gibson, Epiphone, and loads more

Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II on a dark background

Best Bass Guitars Under $500/£500 2023: Brilliant Budget Basses For Every Kind Of Player

By Matt McCracken published 12 April 23

Get low with our picks of the best bass guitars under £500/$500 from Squier, Epiphone, Yamaha, and more

Three Fender Player guitars on a blue background

Spring Into Big Savings With Up To $180 Off Fender Player Series Guitar Bundles

By Matt McCracken published 20 March 23

These excellent value-for-money guitar bundles offer big savings on guitars with some amazing accessories

A Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul leaning against a Vox amplifier, with an MXR overdrive pedal in between them

The Musician’s Friend Presidents' Day Sale Is Now Live With Up To 40% Off A Massive Range Of Guitar Gear

By Matt McCracken published 20 February 23

Get yourself some amazing deals on all the big brands with Fender, Gibson, Vox, MXR, and more

Man plays travel guitar with a mobile phone on a tripod

Start Learning The Guitar With 50% Off Fender Play’s Annual Subscription And A Two-Week Free Trial

By Matt McCracken published 24 January 23

Take advantage of playing the guitar for less with this amazing new year’s deal from Fender Play