Music Gear Guides

We analyze feedback from tens of thousands of music gear owners and process that data with the Gearank Algorithm to produce rating scores out of 100 for thousands of individual musical instruments and equipment.

Our results and recommendations are presented and explained in Gear Guides like these:

Studio Condenser Mics - Small to Large Diaphragm

Lauten Audio's LA-320 tied with Shure's KSM44A for the highest rated large diaphragm condenser microphone.

Microphone Preamps - All Prices up to $1000

Grace Design's m101 is the overall highest rated while the Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre topped the Under $500 section.

88 Key MIDI Controller Keyboards

The Kawai VPC1 takes the overall top spot having held it for 4 years now, while Arturia's KeyLab 88 MKII is the highest rated option with DAW controller features.

Electronic Drum Sets Under $1000

The $500 Roland TD-1K managed an impressive feat coming in equal first with the more up-market Yamaha DTX532K that sells for $1000.

7 String Electric Guitars - $200 to $2000

The ratings are dominated by Ibanez and Schecter with the highest rated overall being the Schecter Reaper-7 Multiscale in the $500 to $1000 price bracket.

Tube Amps - Combo from $100 to $1000

The top rating was a 3-way tie between the Vox AC30S1, Vox AC15C1 and Peavey Classic 50 212 II all of which scored an impressive Gearank Rating of 96.

Acoustic Guitars - From $100 to $2000

Although Martin scooped the honors with their D-15M and 000-15M, they were only 1 point ahead of the budget priced Fender CC-60S which tied with Martin's high-end 000-15SM.

Vocal Effects Processors - Pedals & Stand Mounted

Boss and TC Helicon dominate the ratings in this category and the top spot went jointly to the Boss VE-20 and the TC Helicon VoiceLive Play Acoustic.

Keyboard Stands - X, T, Column & A-Frame

We analyzed 60 models with up to 3 tiers, and more than 12,500 rating sources, to uncover the highest rated Single X, Double X, Table, Z, Column and A-Frame stands.