
Michael Astley-Brown
Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.
Latest articles by Michael Astley-Brown

Going wireless transformed my live performances and with 20% off the Xvive A58 for Cyber Monday, it's time to cut the cord
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Delivering superb interference-free performance, the Xvive A58 is available with a nice discount – but it won't be around forever

Sweetwater Cyber Monday deals 2025: bag up to 50% off guitar gear
By Chris Barnes last updated
Cyber Monday is over, but Sweetwater just launched a fresh sale for Cyber Week

Cyber Monday Fender deals 2025: Last chance to save on a Fender
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is over, but you can save on iconic Fender gear

Musician's Friend Cyber Monday deals 2025: You can still score up to 65% off music gear - but be quick!
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Our pick of the epic deals you need to check out in the Musician's Friend Cyber Monday sale

Guitar Center Cyber Monday deals 2025: there's not much time left to save up to 40%
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is over but there's still a last chance to save – here's how to secure today's best guitar gear discounts while you still can

Cyber Monday guitar deals 2025: all the biggest savings that are still live at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and more
By Chris Barnes last updated
Find out where and how to still grab the biggest savings on guitar gear this Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday guitar deals 2025 LIVE: all of today's biggest savings at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, Amazon and more
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
I'm rounding up all the hottest guitar, amp, pedal and accessory deals in the Cyber Monday sales. Stick with me for all of the biggest news, savings, tips and tricks for getting more for less

We called this do-it-all Superstrat a world-class instrument – now Yamaha’s groundbreaking Pacifica Standard Plus is cheaper than ever before
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Underestimate this Pacifica at your peril: with $200 off, this is the Strat-style guitar to beat this Cyber Monday

A major life change made me realize I need a mini amp – and this is your last chance to bag one for as little as $36
By Michael Astley-Brown published
2025 was the life I re-embraced mini amps, and I’m convinced every guitarist should do the same – especially at these prices

Black Friday guitar deals 2025 LIVE: all the biggest savings at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Fender, Amazon and more that are still live
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
I'm rounding up all the hottest, still-live guitar, amp, pedal and accessory deals in the Black Friday sales. Stick with me for all of the biggest news, deals, tips and tricks for saving money

I’d be a worse guitar player without a looper pedal. Here’s why I think every guitarist should own one – especially with deals starting at $59
By Michael Astley-Brown published
It will make you a better player and help you write songs. Here are this year’s best looper pedal deals

Steve Vai doesn’t leave the house without this mini amp – and now you can pick up his new favorite piece of gear for $50 less
By Michael Astley-Brown published
I picked up Steve Vai’s favorite mini amp and it revolutionized my guitar practice – and at this price, I might just buy another…

Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2025: the big sale has officially started – with up to 80% off guitar gear
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Weekend is nearly over, so it's your last chance to save big on gear at Sweetwater

Musician's Friend Black Friday deals 2025: Last chance to score massive discounts of up to 60% off guitar gear
By Chris Barnes last updated
Day three of the Black Friday sale is here. Save big on guitar gear and more for a limited time

Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2025: The official Black Friday Sale is here!
By Chris Barnes last updated
Guitar Center has gone early with its Black Friday sale, which sees up to 40% off from now until December 3rd

Black Friday Fender deals 2025: last chance to save big on Fender and Squier guitars
By Daryl Robertson last updated
This Cyber Weekend, we're seeing some fantastic Fender deals crop up across the web, including discounted Player II guitars

Black Friday guitar deals 2025: Don't miss out on the greatest savings for guitar players
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Here are the best savings still live this Black Friday, from Sweetwater, Guitar Center, Positive Grid, and more

I am determined to find great tone for under $100. Behold! I have unearthed the best cheap pedal deals
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Some of the pedal world’s biggest pedal brands are waging war on prices

Bassists, this one's for you – 9 great Black Friday bass guitar deals with up to $250 off Fender, Yamaha, Darkglass, Line 6 and more
By Michael Astley-Brown published
These 9 amazing bass savings prove it’s not just the Black Friday prices that are low

“The perfect marriage of Aerosmith and the Cult. An Aerocult, if you will”: November 2025 Guitar World Editors’ Picks
By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Matt Parker, Janelle Borg published
The new guitar music that GW editors have been obsessed with this month: fresh names, old hands and trailblazing players

He was a guitar god at 8, then he disappeared – the unlikely story of Thomas McRocklin
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Vai handed him the Passion and Warfare guitar and produced his debut album, only for his protégé to give it all up. Decades later, McRocklin came back stronger – and pursued his own guitar path

In 1988, a shred prodigy opened for Ozzy Osbourne. He was eight years old
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Thomas McRocklin would go on to become Steve Vai’s protégé. But his first major gig was opening for the Prince of Darkness

October 2025 Guitar World Editors' Picks
By Michael Astley-Brown, Jackson Maxwell, Matt Owen, Matt Parker published
Liven up your Halloween with six-string (and five-string) sorcery from Alter Bridge, Mei Semones, Whitney, Karma Sheen, Jacob Collier, Unprocessed, and many more

Fender invited music fans to design their own Telecaster. They received over 1,500 applications – and turned four into a reality
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Everyone from children to lifelong guitarists entered the Fender Design Contest, which showcased Fender Japan’s quest to prove guitar is for everyone

Fender is changing the way it approaches signature guitars – and it’s starting with a Japanese pop-rock band named after the Red Hot Chili Peppers
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The Chilli Beans Moto Mustang, Lily Cyclone and Maika Mustang Bass are the first Fender Japan signature guitars built in Indonesia – and their beginner-focused spec signals further shifts for the company
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