About Gear Compare

Gear Compare helps musicians make one decision well: what to buy, where to buy it, and whether to buy it new or used. We write plain-English verdicts, compare the stores that sell music gear, and explain the financing offers that can quietly cost you more than the gear itself.

Who runs it

Gear Compare is run by Eric Haight, a guitarist, designer and developer based in New York, under the GumHeadCreations name. It is an independent site. No manufacturer or store owns it or tells us what to say.

How we research

Each guide pulls together current retail prices, used-market prices, manufacturer specifications and the long-running discussions musicians have about this gear. Where players genuinely disagree, such as whether a vintage chip really sounds different, we say so instead of picking a side for you. Prices change often, so check the price on the store page before you buy.

How the site makes money

Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click one and buy something, the store may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. That never changes our verdicts: plenty of our guides tell you to buy used, which earns us nothing. We may also show advertising. See our Privacy Policy for how that works.

Not ready to buy yet? A free browser tool like HARPA AI can watch a product page and alert you when the price drops.