Articles by: David Mead

David Mead

With over 30 years’ experience writing for guitar magazines, including at one time occupying the role of editor for Guitarist and Guitar Techniques, David is also the best-selling author of a number of guitar books for Sanctuary Publishing, Music Sales, Mel Bay and Hal Leonard. As a player he has performed with blues sax legend Dick Heckstall-Smith, played rock ’n’ roll in Marty Wilde’s band, duetted with Martin Taylor and taken part in charity gigs backing Gary Moore, Bernie Marsden and Robbie McIntosh, among others. An avid composer of acoustic guitar instrumentals, he has released two acclaimed albums, Nocturnal and Arboretum.

Articles by: David Mead

Udo Roesner Amps Da Capo 75 Acoustic Amp

Udo Roesner Da Capo 75 Acoustic Amp review

By David Mead published 13 January 22

AER’s Compact 60 amp has long ruled as the acoustic player’s indispensable live companion, but there's a new amp in town, and it means business...

Faith Blue Moon Venus review

By David Mead published 17 December 21

Faith extends its Venus range to include this OM/Auditorium-style electro-acoustic made from glorious figured mango

Mark Tremonti on finding the right guitar, the economics of Dumble amps and the Goldtop that got away

By David Mead published 1 December 21

Tremonti details his biggest gear hits and misses, and why good players sound like themselves no matter the rig

Gibson Generation G-00, G-45, G-Writer EC and G-200 EC review

By David Mead published 24 November 21

A quartet of brand-new Gibson acoustics with player ports inspired by an idea from legendary company president Ted McCarty during the early 1960s. Intrigued? We were…

Steve Howe on his greatest guitar gear hits and misses

By David Mead published 18 November 21

The Yes guitar legend reaffirms his love for his Gibson ES-175D, but reveals how he was nearly swayed by a costly 335…

Emerald Virtuo review

By David Mead published 28 October 21

Acoustic carbon-fiber guitar manufacturers Emerald take a bold step into the twin-humbucker semi-acoustic market with one of the most versatile instruments we’ve encountered

Troy Redfern on how a musical awakening via Marty McFly led to a lifelong fascination with country blues guitar

By David Mead published 26 October 21

The doyen of fuzzed-up slide guitar unpacks his influences, his pedalboard, and recalls how he made friends with Bumblefoot

Chris Buck on his greatest gear finds, buyer's regret and advice on finding the right guitar

By David Mead published 25 October 21

In a career spent chasing after the perfect guitar, the Cardinal Black six-stringer explains why he just can't let any of them go

Orange Acoustic Pedal review

By David Mead published 15 October 21

The renowned amp manufacturer ventures into the acoustic realm to provide an all-in-one DI and EQ solution for live performance

Takamine PTU441-MTB review

By David Mead published 20 September 21

Originally produced for the Japanese home market, this little parlour-sized acoustic is now available as a limited UK run. They say small is beautiful – let’s take a listen…

Robben Ford discusses the tones behind the tracks on his first instrumental album in over 20 years

By David Mead published 30 August 21

On Pure, Ford took the opportunity to take a completely different approach to recording

Lowden F-34 review

By David Mead published 11 August 21

A koa and spruce combination for a light and airy tone and a response that will suit a gentle fingerstylist

Guthrie Govan: "Make sure you explore the whole range of your guitar – not only will you become a better player, but also a more informed buyer"

By David Mead published 5 August 21

Bought & Sold: The Aristocrats guitarist on his greatest gear hits and misses, including the most original reason we’ve heard for buying a 335 and an affection for ring modulators

Pierre Bensusan: “The way you tune the strings should not be used to hide a possible lack of imagination, but it should enhance it“

By David Mead published 7 July 21

The French-Algerian DADGAD maestro on letting inspiration find him for new record Azwan – an album inspired by bees

Cort Core-OC Series review

By David Mead published 6 July 21

They may look almost identical, but it’s the body woods that make all the difference for this trio – and they’re outstandingly affordable, too

Brian May and Arielle detail the evolution of the Brian May Guitars Arielle

By David Mead published 30 June 21

The Queen guitarist welcomes a new addition to his BMG range, designed by rising guitar force Arielle

Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr on his greatest gear buys, regrets and why he's an enabler of impulse purchases

By David Mead published 29 June 21

Bought & Sold: the classic rock-loving frontman details why Esquires have more fire than Telecasters, and how he was once gifted a ’58 Gibson Les Paul Custom

John Smith: ”The only way to cope with life is to write songs, for me. As soon as I picked up the pen, the songs started falling out”

By David Mead published 28 May 21

Recorded at Real World studios last September, The Fray finds the acoustic ace exorcising personal turmoil in song – and leaning heavily into electric guitars

Lowden WL-25 & S-23 12-Frets review

By David Mead published 20 May 21

It’s the age of the smaller-bodied acoustic – but being petite doesn’t mean you won’t stand out in a crowd, as these two new 12-fretters from the Lowden workshops set out to prove

Joanna Connor reveals her aversion to baseball-bat guitar necks and regret at trading in a ’64 Fender Twin

By David Mead published 17 May 21

Bought & Sold: the blues guitar maven walks through her hits, misses and rules when buying gear

Taylor's acoustic guitar bracing options explained

By David Mead published 6 May 21

Get to know your C-Class from your V-Class, and what this means for your acoustic guitar tone

Taylor GT 811e review

By David Mead published 28 April 21

Taylor continues the rollout of its brand-new smaller-body Grand Theater acoustics with the latest C-Class bracing system onboard

How Taylor devised its new Grand Theater acoustic body shape

By David Mead published 26 April 21

Taylor’s new acoustic outline is a bold step. We talk to designer-in-chief Andy Powers to get the full story behind it

Corey Congilio on growing out of his hair-metal B.C. Rich Warlock phase and his greatest gear finds

By David Mead published 16 April 21

The Nashville blues dynamo and sessioneer mulls over gear loved and lost, and his mission to support small-’shop builders

Jakko Jakszyk on his greatest gear finds – including a Gibson ES-150D that piqued Robert Fripp's interest

By David Mead published 2 April 21

The King Crimson guitarist walks through the guitars and amps he's loved and lost