Michael Astley-Brown

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Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Latest articles by Michael Astley-Brown

A Spark Link receiver in a Spark Mini practice amp

Best guitar wireless systems 2026: Cut the cord and liberate your playing today

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 20 October 26

Invest in a transmitter/receiver and ditch trailing cables with our pick of the best wireless guitar systems from beginner to pro

Guitars

TC Electronic Polytune next to a Gibson Les Paul

Best guitar tuners 2026: From tuning pedals and clip-ons, to guitar tuning apps

By Rob Laing Last updated 28 January 26

Keep your all-important tuning on point with the best strobe, polyphonic and chromatic tuners

Guitar Tuners

Best looper pedals 2025: My favourite loop stations for every budget

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 11 September 25

Explore my pick of compact and floorboard loopers from the likes of Boss, TC Electronic, Line 6, and more

Guitar Pedals

Best distortion pedals: our pick of the top gain stages for guitar

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 14 August 24

Bring the filth with 10 of the best distortion pedals for hard-rock, metal, and beyond

Guitar Pedals

SEPTEMBER 23: VICTORIA PARK Photo of RADIOHEAD, Thom Yorke performing live onstage

20 Radiohead guitar chords you need to know

By Michael Astley-Brown Published 9 February 24

Voicings that will open your mind and change the way you play guitar

Guitar Chords

Beetronics Royal Jelly fuzz pedal on a wooden floor

Best fuzz pedals: add some extra dirt to your guitar tone

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 5 December 23

From Fuzz Faces to Big Muffs, here’s our pick of the best fuzzboxes out there

Guitar Pedals

A composite image of Yvette Young, Tosin Abasi, Tim Henson and Mike Sullivan

Instrumental guitar music has never been more exciting than it is right now - here are 10 albums that prove it

By Michael Astley-Brown Published 22 September 23

The shred, math-rock and prog-metal guitarists pushing technical boundaries and taking instrumental guitar in thrilling new directions

Singles And Albums

Best guitar picks: our choice of the best plectrums to try for acoustic, electric and bass players

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 12 May 23

Transform your playing style and guitar tone with the best guitar picks from Fender, Ernie Ball, D'Addario and others

Guitars

Best metal amps: get juggernaut tones with these heads and combos

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 28 March 23

Tube, solid-state and digital guitar amplifiers... these are the best amps for metal from Mesa/Boogie, Orange, Peavey and more

Guitar Amps

A Dunlop Cry Baby mini wah pedal on a wooden floor

Best wah pedals: Simply the top wah-wahs for your pedalboard

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 20 October 22

Our guide to the best wah pedals for adding more expression to your guitar sound

Guitar Pedals

A Fender tremolo pedal lying on a wooden floor

Best tremolo pedals for guitar: Give your tone a shake-up with these killer effects

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 20 October 22

From vintage amp-style wobble to aggressive helicopter chops, our expert guide is here to help

Guitar Pedals

PRS Silver Sky signature guitar on wooden floor

Best signature guitars: Nail the tone of everyone from Van Halen to St Vincent with these stellar artist models

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 20 October 22

Make your mark with these artist-approved electric guitars – and use them to fuel your own style of guitar playing

Guitars

NAMM 2019: HeadRush targets amp modellers with FRFR-108 powered cabinet

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 24 August 22

Full-Range Flat Response speaker designed for guitar and bass

Guitar Amps

Tech 21 unveils FRFR Power Engine Deuce Deluxe cab for guitar and bass

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 24 August 22

Full-range flat-response cabinet designed for preamps and amp modellers

Guitar Amps

Matrix Elements launches new FRFR guitar cabs for amp modellers

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 24 August 22

Full-range, flat-response FR10 and FR12 cabs designed for Axe-Fx, Kemper, Helix users

Guitars

NAMM 2017: Vox reveals White Bronco AC guitar amps, 3 new amPlug headphone amps

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated 29 July 22

As has become tradition with Vox come show time, a host of limited-editions and model variations have been unveiled, including White Bronco AC amps and three more amPlug headphone amps.

Guitar Amps