I really love guitar gear, but I know how confusing shopping for it can be. Music stores carry an overwhelming number of choices, and online forums tend to be crawling with opinionated trolls. Who has time for that?!

That’s why I’ve put together some product recommendations based on my own experience playing guitar for the past 25 years. I’ve narrowed down the vast array of options out there so you can make your decision and get back to playing.

I’m a regular person with kids and a mortgage, so I totally appreciate that budget is a factor. We can all drool over famous players’ gear, but not many of us can replicate The Edge’s rig in our own homes. I’ve done my best to recommend tried-and-true equipment that is within reach of mere mortals. Could you spend thousands more and get a truly spectacular piece of gear? Of course. But that’s not what this site is about.