Latest articles by David Mead
Robert Fripp in-depth: his quest to combine Hendrix and Bartók, what made King Crimson “problematic” and why he has “no interest in gear at all”
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the brilliant and divisive progressive guitar icon to discuss the art of Guitar Craft and the highs and lows of King Crimson – and get an intimate look at his guitar collection
John Scofield: “When you’re playing without a band, all kinds of subtleties in your playing come out, maybe good and bad… You really hear what you’re doing”
On his latest album, Solo, the jazz guitar luminary plays alone with just a looper for company, and it turned out to be a learning experience that was a lot of fun too
Eastman E20OOSS/v and E20SS/v review
Two models that hark back to the glory days of acoustic guitar making – but there’s a very subtle twist to the tale...
Andrew Gabbard: “My love for Firebirds comes from Neil Young because he had a Firebird pickup in his Goldtop and they just cut through”
The Black Keys sideman and songwriter says good things come in small packages: namely, mini-humbuckers and Fender amps
Larry McCray: “When I saw Gary Moore’s live show and heard the sound that he was getting, I was like, ‘Man, I’ve got to come up with something a bit more powerful’”
The resurgent bluesman discusses the making of his new record, his love of the Flying V and how, despite his concerns, he had the time of his life in the studio with Joe Bonamassa
John McLaughlin: “I fell in love with the guitar and even started sleeping with it, that’s how much I loved it”
The jazz-fusion guitar legend shares stories, reflections and life lessons from a career spent pushing the envelope
A guide to Martin acoustic guitar body sizes
Get to know the tonal differences between the iconic acoustic company's different body shapes
Furch Yellow Deluxe GC-CR review
It may look like a straightforward Grand Concert cutaway from the outside, but there’s toneful innovation aplenty going on behind the scenes
Eric Gales on why he is not trying to be the next Jimi Hendrix – and why you shouldn’t be either
The king of blues-rock talks influences, signature gear, and the message behind his songs, and explains why any good guitar player must stamp their own personality on their sound
Takamine TC135SC and CRN-TS1 review
As Takamine celebrates its 60th year, we look at two very different models that cover a lot of musical ground…
Kris Barras: “I love the Kemper live for two reasons: stability and consistency. You’re not relying on whoever’s mic’ing the amps up”
The blues-metal guitar powerhouse details the gear it takes to power his juggernaut band, and how the search for his dream guitar might now be complete
Bill Frisell: “The limitations of the guitar invite their own solutions… so there are a lot of different ways people end up playing it”
Guitarist, composer and esotericist Bill Frisell is difficult to pin down to any one musical style. Even he learned something about himself in his new biography Beautiful Dreamer
Mike Campbell: “When the Heartbreakers started out, we had 100-watt Vox Super Beatles – I don’t know how Tom Petty sang over those, but he did!”
The Heartbreakers guitarist on getting the Dirty Knobs back together for an album that mines the tonal gold of small tube combos and captures the magic of recording live
Larrivée D-03R and 000-40 Custom review
Two acoustics from the celebrated Larrivée stable with contrasting spec and very individual personalities. Something for everyone? Let’s find out…
Bryan Adams: “My most prized guitar is a D-18 Martin acoustic that once belonged to Johnny Cash”
A rock legend checks in, and one question hangs in the air like a recently twanged E chord. What has made Bryan Adams so joyful that he titled his new album So Happy It Hurts?
Flamenco guitarist El Amir reveals how he ended up playing on the latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die
He's played with Stanley Clarke and Marcus Miller, and now the occasional Kramer-slinger discusses working and touring with legendary film composer Hans Zimmer
Danny Bryant shares his greatest gear hits and misses – and his guitar shopping advice
The British bluesman had just purchased an Epiphone Riviera when we called. It was a good time to talk about a life in gear...
Taylor AD27E Flametop review
“A voice that’s unlike anything Taylor has previously offered” is the battle cry of this Grand Pacific dreadnought. Intrigued? So were we…
Molly Tuttle: “I don’t want to play bluegrass to a click. It’s such an organic music – I wanted to get the feeling of people just jamming together”
New album Crooked Tree finds the flatpicker extraordinaire exploring her influences with a stunning set of original tunes
Larrivée OMV-03 review
Every time we open the case of a Larrivée acoustic we’re reminded how much we like them, and this charming little OM cutaway is no exception
Steve Gunn: “I’ve played Fenders from the '50s, pre-CBS, and there’s an energy in the wood. There’s a lot of magic in older guitars”
Bought & Sold: The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter spins the tale of a voyage into the world of classical guitars and how he let a Silvertone slip through his fingers
Dan Patlansky: “I’ve hemorrhaged money on fuzzes. I probably could have retired on the money I’ve spent on them”
The South African rocker reveals a lifetime’s quest to find the perfect fuzz pedal and an incredible deal on a ’62 Strat
Udo Roesner Da Capo 75 Acoustic Amp review
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...
