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:

Live Vocal Microphones - Handheld / Wired

The premium Neumann KMS 105 topped the rankings but shared that honor with the more modestly priced Sennheiser e935 along with strong results from Shure and Earthworks.

Powered PA Speakers - All Prices Up To $2000

QSC extends their dominance with no other brand out ranking them in any of the 3 main price brackets with their CP8, CP12, K8.2, K10.2, K12.2 and KW153.

Studio Condenser Mics - Small to Large Diaphragm

An amazing 5-way tie for the top spot in large-diaphragm condensers: LA-320, TLM 102, WA-251, KSM42/SG and WA-47.

Microphone Preamps - All Prices up to $1000

Grace Design's m101 is the highest rated for condenser mics while the Cloudlifter CL-1 topped the dynamic mic ratings.

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.