Ethan Walker 
Short answer: the L.R. Baggs Anthem-SL is the best acoustic guitar pickup for live performance in , because it is the only system here that splits the signal by frequency and sends the low end to an under-saddle element while an internal noise-cancelling mic handles the mids and highs. That crossover design is the single … Read more
The best multi guitar stand for most people is the Hercules GS525B, a five-space A-frame rack that holds five acoustic, electric or bass guitars, folds flat, and carries a lifetime warranty. It is the pick we return to because its A-frame base will not collapse when you reach for the fourth guitar. That said, the … Read more
Most garage shelving fails the same way. It looks fine empty, and then a weekend of loading engine parts, paint cans, and stacked totes turns the front beam into a gentle arc. The shelves bow, the unit rocks on an uneven slab, and a year later the decking is warped beyond saving. That is the … Read more
For most small woodshops, the best dust collectors for small woodshops come down to one simple answer: a 1 HP portable collector on casters with a 1 to 5 micron filter, rolled to whichever machine is running. The WEN DC3401 is the pick most garages and basements should start with, the Dustopper PRO is the … Read more
The fastest way to clear a garage or basement shop is to stop chasing dust with a broom and start pulling it off the tool. A good shop vacuum captures sawdust at the source, before it settles on your bench, your tools and your lungs. That is why the best shop vacuums for woodworking dust … Read more
The best cyclone dust separator for most shop vac setups is the Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy DIY. It has been in continuous production for years, it carries more verified owner ratings than anything else in this roundup, and its DIY format lets you bolt it to whatever bucket and caster base you already own. … Read more
A bench vise is the one tool that turns a hobby garage into a shop. A power saw, drill or grinder will happily cut a finger off without complaining, but a bolted-down vise holds the workpiece rigid so the cut stays straight and nothing gets kicked back at you. After spending weeks comparing jaw widths, … Read more
A sandblasting cabinet is an enclosed, air-tight chamber that houses a blasting gun and abrasive media so you can strip rust, paint, and scale from parts without filling the shop with dust. If you have ever tried to remove paint from a motorcycle bracket with a wire wheel and a grinder, you already know the … Read more
The best synthesizers for beginners in start with one simple requirement: every important sound parameter should have a physical knob you can hear change while you hold it. Our top overall pick is the Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1, a build-it-yourself monosynth that teaches the fundamentals by making you assemble the signal path before you play it. … Read more
Choosing the best stage pianos for gigging musicians comes down to three things nobody puts on the box: how the board feels at 1am after a five-hour drive, whether it reaches the FOH desk cleanly, and whether you can still lift it onto the stand. We spent weeks comparing ten of the most widely deployed … Read more