Latest articles by Michael Astley-Brown
July 2026 Guitar World Editors' Picks
Featuring a ferocious new single from the future of shred, defiantly optimistic post-punk, “ecstasy for the ears” indie, irresistible jazz fusion, and much more
The guitar solo Joe Satriani wished he never wrote
Tuning issues and a desperate need to blow off musical steam from limiting session work made it a lesson learned for the esteemed shredder
The pedal that changed me – I asked the Guitar World staff to name the stompboxes that actually made a difference to their playing
Whether it was fun, frustrating, or forced us to think differently, these are the 12 pedals that GW staffers say have actually changed the way they play
June 2026 Guitar World Editors' Picks
This month's hottest guitar tracks, all in one place
Sleep’s new guitarist was once nearly drafted into Soundgarden
In his new memoir, Kim Thayil reveals that Chris Cornell wanted Bubba Dupree to join Soundgarden before they split up in the late ’90s
Thomann, the world’s largest music retailer, is suing Fender over cease-and-desists
Thomann, whose own brand Harley Benton is caught up in the Stratocaster cease-and-desist dispute, says it is engaging in legal action on behalf of the entire guitar industry
The Fender legal furore is a damn shame, because Squier just launched its coolest guitars in years
The Paranormal range is back, and it’s bringing baritones, Bigsbys and a 6-string that thinks it’s a 12-string
The moment Jack Gardiner realized Giacomo Turra had lifted his licks
The serial solo thief targeted a range of virtuosos, but Jack Gardiner was one of the first to realize he’d been a victim
Best budget guitar amps under $500 2026: cost-cutting amplifiers for every player
Get great sounds and features without blowing your budget – from affordable tube amps to wallet-friendly digital modeling amps and everything in between
May 2026 Guitar World Editors' Picks
From The Rolling Stones to Julian Lage, Tamikrest to the Warning, this month's guitar greatness spanned many generations of players
Fender is finally speaking out on its cease-and-desist strategy
Fender might not be declaring war after all – but if its legal campaign succeeds, the guitar market will change forever
Best modeling amps 2026: get iconic amp and effects tones at your fingertips
I break down the best modeling amps available, covering a range of budgets, brands and sizes
I saw Angine de Poitrine live – and witnessed the greatest polka-dot guitar hero since Randy Rhoads and Buddy Guy
Some have dismissed the microtonal duo as a gimmick, but their musicianship is no joke
Guitar Center reveals the 10 most-played guitar riffs in its stores – and no, Stairway to Heaven isn’t one of them
CEO Gabe Dalporto surveyed GC staff to discover the riffs that torment them on a daily basis – but some surprisingly big names don’t get a look-in
April 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
Fresh new cuts from all corners of the guitar world courtesy of Muse, Arlo Parks, Jack White, Ed O'Brien, Weezer, Periphery, and more...
How a Smashing Pumpkins superfan made the only amp Billy Corgan has ever truly loved
Brian Carstens spent 30 years obsessing over Corgan’s guitar tone. Then he ended up making amps for his hero – not to mention John Fogerty, Tool and Misha Mansoor
Mike McCready opens up on his new rock opera, the Seattle jams that changed him, and the future of Pearl Jam
Farewell to Seasons documents McCready’s path through the Seattle grunge explosion of the ’90s. He reflects on the singers he’s loved and lost, the guitarists who left the biggest mark on his playing and why going digital has made him a better player
March 2026 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
Collaborative instrumental greatness from six-string aces new and old (SatchVai), bossa nova guitar bliss, sublime slide work, swashbuckling 12-bar blues... we've had it all this month
Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready explains why switching to digital modeling improved his guitar playing
For the Seattle greats’ most recent tour, McCready was running a digital rig with FRFR cabs. And he says it has sharpened his skills
Best chorus pedals 2026: My pick of choices for your 'board at every price point
From analog to digital, and shimmery to subtle, let me show you the top chorus pedals you can buy today from the likes of Boss, Ibanez, MXR and Walrus Audio
Mike McCready followed Duff McKagan to LA to make it big – but he nearly missed his shot in Seattle
Before Pearl Jam, the lead guitarist sought to make a success of his teenage hard-rock outfit, Shadow
Misha Mansoor has a ton of amps. But one new design has blown him away
The Periphery tonesmith uses digital and analog gear in the studio, and one tube head in particular has knocked his socks off
This new 75th Anniversary Telecaster features a genuine Fender first – and it could change the face of Teles to come
The Fastlane humbucker is Fender’s first-ever in-house rail humbucker – and you should expect to see a lot more of it…
Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell has died aged 64
The metal pioneers’ longest-serving guitar player has passed away after a major operation
Billy Corgan on what drives guitar heroes to change their tone – and how it led him to package his sound in a pedal
The Smashing Pumpkins guitar icon reflects on a tonal journey four decades in the making, what pushes him to make signature gear like the new Laney Supergrace affordable, and why he’s the most excited he’s been to make a guitar album in 25 years
