Meet Marcus Rivera
Hi, I’m Marcus Rivera, founder and lead reviewer at Chord Crest. I’m a professional guitarist, keyboard player, and music educator based in Nashville, Tennessee with over 12 years of experience performing, recording, and teaching music.
My journey with music started when I picked up my first acoustic guitar at age 14. Since then, I’ve played in venues ranging from intimate coffee shops to festival stages holding 5,000+ people. I’ve studied classical piano, taught over 500 private students, and spent countless hours dissecting what makes an instrument truly worth playing.
Our Mission
Chord Crest exists to cut through the noise of online instrument reviews. Too many review sites recycle manufacturer specs or prioritize commission rates over honest assessments. We do things differently.
Every instrument we review is tested in real playing conditions — not just unboxed and photographed. We play them at home, in studios, and on stage before forming our opinions.
What We Do
Our focus is specifically on music instruments and equipment, with deep expertise in:
- Guitars: Acoustic, electric, bass, and specialty instruments for every genre
- Keyboards & Pianos: Digital pianos, synthesizers, MIDI controllers, and workstations
- Drums & Percussion: Acoustic kits, electronic drums, and hand percussion
- Orchestral Instruments: Violins, cellos, wind instruments, and brass
- Recording Equipment: Microphones, interfaces, and studio monitors
Our Review Process
We follow a structured, repeatable methodology for every instrument we test:
- Initial Inspection — We examine build quality, materials, and craftsmanship out of the box
- Extended Play Testing — Each instrument is played over 30+ hours across multiple sessions over at least 2 weeks
- Sound Evaluation — We record samples in controlled environments and compare against reference instruments
- Playability Assessment — We evaluate comfort, action, neck profile, and ergonomics for different hand sizes
- Durability Testing — We check hardware reliability, tuning stability, and finish resilience under real gig conditions
- Value Analysis — We compare the instrument against direct competitors at the same price point
Why Trust Us
- 12+ years of professional performing and recording experience
- 500+ students taught across guitar, piano, and music theory
- Transparent methodology — we publish exactly how we test
- No pay-for-play — our rankings are never influenced by manufacturers or commission rates
- Editorial independence — all opinions are our own, formed through real-world testing
Editorial Independence Statement
Chord Crest maintains complete editorial independence. While we participate in the Amazon Associates program and may earn commissions on qualifying purchases, this never affects which products we recommend or how we rate them. We only recommend instruments we would use ourselves.
Get in Touch
Have a question about an instrument, want to suggest a product for review, or just want to talk music? I’d love to hear from you.
— Marcus Rivera, Founder & Lead Reviewer