
Michael Astley-Brown
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

Ernie Ball debuts St Vincent HH signature guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Distinctive Music Man model gets a dual-humbucker tweak

NAMM 2019: Godin reveals Daryl Stuermer DS-1 signature guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Phil Collins guitarist gets Seymour Duncan-equipped electric

Gibson unveils Chris Cornell Tribute ES-335 signature guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Iconic Soundgarden frontman’s semi-hollow reissued ahead of tribute concert

Summer NAMM 2019: Gretsch launches fresh signature guitars for Brian Setzer, Rich Robinson and Steve Wariner
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Guitar heroes rewarded with top-of-the-line models

Solar unleashes signature guitar for The Haunted/Witchery’s Patrik Jensen
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Ola Englund’s co introduces E1.6 Jensen

Mastodon's Bill Kelliher signs with ESP, announces two new signature guitars
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Metal guitarist jumps ship from Gibson, says "working with ESP has been a breath of fresh air"

Reverend triggers optic interruption with Jenn Wasner signature guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Visually striking electric from Wye Oak/Flock Of Dimes guitarist

Charvel unveils limited-edition Guthrie Govan signature guitar in Britannica Red
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Guthrie Govan is the torchbearer of modern guitar virtuosity, and Charvel has paid homage to his brilliance with a new version of his shred-ready signature model.

PRS SE Chris Robertson signature guitar receives new Kentucky Blueburst finish
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Black Stone Cherry frontman gets a limited-edition colour

NAMM 2017: Ibanez announces 40th Anniversary George Benson signature guitars
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Jazz legend launches GB40TH semi-acoustic models

Epiphone unveils James Bay ‘1966’ Century signature guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Singer-songwriter lands limited-edition electric

Summer NAMM 2017: Charvel reveals new looks for Jake E Lee and Warren DeMartini signature guitars
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Ozzy Osbourne and Ratt guitarists channel classic '80s vibes

PRS announces limited run of SE Bernie Marsden Signature guitars
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Former Whitesnake man’s signature model rides again

Manson reveals signature guitars for Skindred’s Mikey Demus
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
MD-1 and MD-2 boast Satin Candy Orange finishes

This is what bass strings sound like on guitar
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Remember when YouTube bass ace Davie504 played with guitar strings on bass? Well, now he's reversed the process, stringing a guitar up with bass strings.

These PowerWire active guitar cables feature built-in preamps
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
R&M Tone Technology has launched a new line of PowerWire active guitar cables, which feature an internal analogue preamp to “improve signal quality and reduce noise”.

NAMM 2018: The Rat Tail gives you vintage Rat distortion tones in a guitar cable
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Lead features classic clipping diodes

The Cabli could help you wrap up your guitar cables quicker than ever
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Singular Sound introduces cable management system for musicians

Empress launches limited-edition 10th anniversary Tremolo pedal
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Empress Effects is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a limited-edition version of its first pedal, the Empress Tremolo.

Walrus Audio debuts Monument Harmonic Tap Tremolo pedal
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Walrus Audio has released details on its latest feature-laden stompbox, the Monument Harmonic Tap-Tremolo.

TC Electronic makes waves with long-awaited Pipeline tap tremolo pedal
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Built-in tap tempo and customisable waveforms onboard

Ernie Ball releases versatile Expression Tremolo pedal
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Latest Expression pedal packs Harmonic mode and built-in reverb

Zeppelin Design Labs launches Quaverato Harmonic Tremolo pedal
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Stompbox teams digital control with all-analogue signal path
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