Mick Taylor

Editor-in-chief, Guitars Group

Latest articles by Mick Taylor

The metal body and casing feels of very high quality
Rode iXY

By Mick Taylor Published

Rode brings studio quality microphones to iOS devices

Microphones
The pink binding and ray gun-etched Bare Knuckle pickups are two give-aways of this guitar's namesake
Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature

By Mick Taylor Published

Steve Stevens and Joe Knaggs team up for a no-holds-barred rockin' single-cut

Electric Guitars
The finishes on the Road Worn series are nitrocellulose, but they're a long way from the pristine, shiny stuff here
Fender Classic Series '60s Stratocaster Lacquer

By Mick Taylor Published

Mid-price vintage-styled Strats with a nitrocellulose finish, you say? Well, here we are then...

Electric Guitars
The CS 50 celebrates Orange's 'pics only' amps with graphic symbols to represent the knob functions
Orange Custom Shop 50

By Mick Taylor Published

Brit amp legend ups the ante with predominantly point-to-point wiring and the full CS treatment

Guitar Amps
The Blue Spark Digital has both USB and Apple-friendly 30-pin connections
Blue Spark Digital

By Mick Taylor Published

A smart-looking mic to record direct to your computer or Apple iOS device

Microphones
In addition to the expected level and gain pots, there's a mid-cut knob that dials in the fabled 'V' EQ curve
Mesa/Boogie Throttle Box

By Mick Taylor Published

One of Mesa/Boogie's new overdrive stompbox foursome - the Throttle Box offers high-gain thrills

Guitar Pedals
Aggressive and grin-inducing, the Iron Forest even gets fuzzy too at the upper extremes
Free The Tone Iron Forest Distortion IF-1D

By Mick Taylor Published

Ex-Providence pedal whizz Yuki Hayashi returns with his own brand, plus a new distortion pedal with a penchant for hard rock

Guitar Pedals
In addition to the basic rotaries, there are two mini push-switches. The first is a gain boost and the second reduces the high-frequency signal
Free The Tone Gigs Boson Overdrive

By Mick Taylor Published

Another heavenly overdrive from ex-Providence man Yuki Hayashi's new Free The Tone stable

Guitar Pedals
We'd argue that the SOV series is acquiring a legend all its own
Free The Tone SOV-2 Overdrive

By Mick Taylor Published

We'd argue the SOV Overdrive is becoming a modern classic, this iteration offers beautiful tone, but it comes at a price...

Guitar Pedals
The new all-nitrocellulose 'Flash Coat' lacquer, a significant step on from some nitro finishes of recent time
Fender American Vintage '65 Stratocaster

By Mick Taylor Published

Can a near-hair-splittingly authentic spec and an overhaul of the production process actually challenge a genuine vintage instrument?

Electric Guitars
The to-die-for curves of the '59 body are a fine example of How It Should Be for the most elegant and ergonomic guitar design of all time
Fender American Vintage '59 Stratocaster

By Mick Taylor Published

Case open, olfactory and visual senses in overdrive, exactly what do we have here?

Electric Guitars
The simple Two-Colour Sunburst over a lightweight, plain-looking alder body looks utterly timeless
Fender American Vintage '56 Stratocaster

By Mick Taylor Published

We've analysed it, taken it to bits, read a lot of history books and done a whole heap of playing and listening

Electric Guitars
The Fuzz Face pedal's look was inspired by a mic stand base
Fuzz Faces explained

By Mick Taylor Published

Fancy a massive, round noise-maker on your pedalboard? Guitarist magazine guides you through the many Faces of Fuzz

Guitar Pedals
The '5'-tier Performing Artist series guitars use high pressure laminates with a koa-pattern top layer
Martin DCPA5K

By Mick Taylor Published

Martin takes the electro-acoustic guitar to the fifth tier with the PA5 range

Acoustic Guitars
The '5'-tier Performing Artist series guitars use high pressure laminates with a koa-pattern top layer
Martin GPCPA5K

By Mick Taylor Published

Martin takes the electro-acoustic guitar to the fifth tier with the PA5 range

Acoustic Guitars
This '2' variant shares the recent DRS1's principle spec points, but replaces the mahogany top with one of solid Sitka spruce
Martin DRS2

By Mick Taylor Published

Martin continues its assault on the mid-price bracket

Acoustic Guitars
The Stampede DT immediately has an aggressive, biting edge to its distortion
Providence Stampede DT SDT-2

By Mick Taylor Published

The latest top-end pedals from one of the most respected effects names in the business

Guitar Pedals
The retro-nostalgic design is a welcome change from the standard black box
Fender Pawn Shop Special Excelsior

By Mick Taylor Published

The big F shows off its retro side

Guitar Amps
Through the sound hole lies a world of wonder
Why you have to own an acoustic guitar

By Mick Taylor Published

Can a guitar change your life?

The Way Huge Echo-Puss
VIDEO: New Way Huge Echo-Puss Analog Delay pedal unveiled

By Mick Taylor Published

World exclusive video demo from delay guru Jeorge Tripps

Guitar Pedals
The Hayden HGT-A20's front panel splits the channel controls into clean, and gain one and two.
Hayden HGT-A20

By Mick Taylor Published

Hayden steps into the mid-price valve-amp ring

Guitar Amps
Packed into the AC15C2 is a pair of 25-watt Celestion G12M Greenback speakers.
Vox AC15C2 'Twin'

By Mick Taylor Published

Half an AC30 or double an AC15? Well, it's sort of part way between the two. Let us explain…

Guitar Amps
The PDF-1 offers a refreshing take on distortion and boost.
Stone Deaf PDF-1

By Mick Taylor Published

UK box that boosts, filters and distorts

Guitar Pedals
The Royal Atlantic is impeccably finished.
Mesa Boogie Royal Atlantic RA-100

By Mick Taylor Published

Rectifiers and Stilettos have been top of the class at Mesa's School Of Rock for a good while now. But now there's a new boy, and he has a British accent…

Guitar Amps
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Providence FDR-1F Flame Drive

By Mick Taylor Published

Even more refinement, if you want it

Guitar Pedals
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