Articles by David Mead | Guitar World

Guitar World

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

“Guitars adapt to whoever is playing them. I can play somebody else’s guitar for two weeks and it will change according to how I play it”: Ralph Towner on the sensitivity of the six-string – and why he doesn't use an amp on stage

By David Mead published 21 August 23

The latest album from jazz guitarist and composer Ralph Towner is a typically enchanting work, complete with beautiful playing on new pieces and jazz standards

“On a quick trip to interview Paul Reed Smith I was told we were going to the White House so I’d better pack a suit”: Celebrating 500 issues of Guitarist, one of the world’s greatest guitar magazines

By Jamie Dickson published 4 August 23

From playing Eric Clapton’s Strats to narrowly avoiding knocking out Slash, Guitarist editors past and present share their favourite – and sometimes most embarrassing – memories of working for the esteemed UK publication

“Instead of the toy store, I wanted to go to the guitar store and play all the expensive guitars”: Steve Lukather shares his biggest gear hits and misses

By David Mead published 31 July 23

The top sessioneer and Toto stringsman recounts his early six-string experiences, an epic deal on a rare Vox 12-string and why he hasn’t bought a guitar in 30 years…

“As an entry into the brand, you’re getting traditional woods, upgraded hardware and premium pickups”: How the Player Series became Fender’s best-selling guitar line

By David Mead published 29 July 23

As the Player Series celebrates its fifth anniversary, Fender’s director of product, Allen Abbassi, tells us its story behind the top-selling range and what the future might hold

Tyler Bryant plays his Fender Custom Shop signature "Pinky" Stratocaster

“Whether it’s a $200 or $10,000 guitar, you’re gonna sound better on what you resonate with”: Tyler Bryant reflects on his greatest gear hits and misses

By David Mead published 12 July 23

The young bluesman tells tales of a brand-new signature guitar and an unbelievable deal on a 1960s Strat

JWJ Guitars Parlour and Orchestra review

By David Mead published 7 July 23

JWJ Guitars is a relatively new name on the lutherie circuit, specializing in bespoke builds at off-the-peg prices. Interested? You probably should be…

Ana Popović: “I don’t want anything that is not legit on my stage. When it’s a cheap drum kit or a cheap bass, I hear it and it bothers me”

By David Mead published 13 June 23

The Serbian blues-rocker tells tales of capturing a ’64 Strat in the wild and why single-coil pickups leave the mighty humbucker in the shade…

The strange history of Hugh Cornwell’s Höfner S7L – the ‘Razorwood’ electric guitar made famous by The Stranglers

By David Mead published 7 June 23

How a little known and short-lived guitar from Höfner found its way into the hands of The Stranglers’ Hugh Cornwell around the time of the band’s hit Golden Brown

Celebrating 50 years of The Dark Side of the Moon: inside the magical guitar sounds of Pink Floyd’s masterpiece

By David Mead published 1 June 23

How one of rock’s greatest studio albums came together onstage, and what David Gilmour used to craft some of the most sought-after guitar tones in music history

Furch Violet Master's Choice, Yellow Deluxe and Red Deluxe review

By David Mead published 31 May 23

Three Grand Auditorium models from the Czech Republic manufacturer’s catalog, with price points varying from entry level to top end. What’s the difference? Let’s find out…

Samantha Fish: “I play other guitars, but I always go back to the SG because it fights me just enough. I need something to push back a little bit and she does”

By David Mead published 29 May 23

The blues-rock ace on what draws her to both Gibson and Fender, why all guitar players should learn drums, and how she ended up using an elementary school PA system for her tones on her new album with Jesse Dayton, Death Wish Blues

Takamine GD34CE BLK review

By David Mead published 11 May 23

Based on the Takamine used by Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, the GD34CE has all of its stablemates' classic good looks on a budget. But how does it sound?

How the pandemic inspired Taylor’s Andy Powers to take a new minimalist path with the American Dream series

By David Mead published 20 April 23

Taylor’s chief designer, president and CEO talks us through the choice of body woods for the brand’s stunning new model, the AD12e

Martin Taylor: “There are some guitars I play a few notes on and just put down. The sign of a good guitar is one you really want to play and don’t want to put down”

By David Mead published 19 April 23

The jazz maestro recounts the tale of a disappointment with a Gibson ES-175 and his surprise over a freebie vintage Martin

Taylor American Dream AD12e-SB review

By David Mead published 10 April 23

Taylor describes its American Dream guitars as “spartan and minimalist” by design, but does this add up to any shortcomings in tone? Let’s find out

Larrivée 0-44R, 000-44R and OMV-44R review

By David Mead published 20 March 23

Larrivée’s 44 Legacy Series introduces a range of characterful guitars in a selection of body sizes, each with an upgraded high-gloss finish. Let’s find out exactly how they shine

Aynsley Lister on why he prefers ’70s Strats to ’60s models, and relying on amp drive rather than pedals

By David Mead published 10 February 23

With a focus on storytelling and an unexpectedly precious mid-’70s Strat, blues-rocker Aynsley Lister presents album number eight and talks about the tones behind the tracks

Andy Fairweather Low: “I got Fender to make me an Esquire tuned to A... a beast. I tried using that with Eric Clapton and he said, ‘Put that away! Play a proper guitar’”

By Jamie Dickson published 9 February 23

Defiantly old-school in his approach to music-making, with a delightfully quirky taste in guitars to boot, everybody’s favourite sideman has a new solo album, Flang Dang

Mick Box on his greatest gear hits and misses: “It’s not all about price – it’s about feel”

By David Mead published 8 February 23

The Uriah Heep guitarist mourns the loss of a Telecaster and champions his signature Carparelli guitars

Ariel Posen: “I have Telecasters that I like with 12s – I like a fight: I’m not a guy that’s ripping up and down the fretboard. I don’t need a fast action”

By David Mead published 7 February 23

The renowned Canadian guitar virtuoso checks in to discuss his string gauge philosophy, love of alternate tunings and why he's so enamored with fretless guitars and rubber bridges

Sting guitarist Dominic Miller: “You gave Jeff Beck a tennis racket and a transistor radio, he’d make it sound perfect”

By David Mead published 13 January 23

It's not the gear, it's the player says Miller, but then, those vintage Telecasters and ES-335s sure do come in handy

Gibson J-45 50s Faded, J-35 30s Faded and Hummingbird Faded review

By David Mead published 10 January 23

A trio of Gibson dreadnoughts with faded satin nitro finishes, vintage appointments and modern-day electronics. Serious players or mere novelty acts? Let the auditions begin…

Takamine LTD2022 review

By David Mead published 20 December 22

One of two limited-edition models that celebrate Takamine’s 60th Anniversary, both of which engage the charms of Hawaiian koa in their construction. Let’s take a closer look

Peter Frampton details his farewell tour guitar rig

By David Mead published 16 December 22

It's a stereo rig, it's massive, and Frampton feels a little embarrassed by its size. Here, he takes us through the guitars and amps behind his farewell tour

Barrie Cadogan talks about his great gear hits and misses, and explains why the Squier 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster is a winner for fans of old-school offsets

By Jamie Dickson published 14 December 22

The Little Barrie main man opens up about a stellar deal on a ’62 Epiphone Crestwood and his fondness for P-90 pickups

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