Latest articles by David Mead
“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
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
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
“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
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
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”
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
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
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
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”
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
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
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”
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
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
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
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’”
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”
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”
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”
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
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
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
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
The Little Barrie main man opens up about a stellar deal on a ’62 Epiphone Crestwood and his fondness for P-90 pickups
Chris Buck: “We were shooting for Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon meets Ray LaMontagne”
The Cardinal Black guitarist details the gear behind the gourmet tones on the band's crowdfunded debut album, January Came Close
Peter Frampton on the highs and lows of his remarkable guitar journey, meeting George Harrison, and how David Bowie made him cool again
From early pop stardom with The Herd to Frampton Comes Alive! and finding salvation in Bowie’s band, Frampton reflects on a rollercoaster career and the darker side of fame…
