Michael Astley-Brown
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's 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, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.
Latest articles by Michael Astley-Brown
NAMM 2025: rumors, predictions and breaking news from the world’s biggest gear show
By Michael Astley-Brown published
With the likes of Fender, Gibson and Marshall returning to Anaheim at long last, this year’s event is set to be the biggest in five years – with secrets and surprises to match
Sweetwater Cyber Monday deals 2024: last chance to save at Sweetwater
By Chris Barnes last updated
Cyber Monday is over but you'll need to move quickly if you want to seal these deals
Guitar Center Cyber Monday deals 2024: last chance to save
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday has officially ended, giving you your final call for guitar gear discounts
Cyber Monday guitar deals 2024: Your last chance to save on guitar gear
By Chris Barnes last updated
Find all the biggest savings on guitar gear from the remaining Cyber Monday sales across the web
Black Friday guitar deals 2024: You can still pick up these bargains in the biggest sale of the year
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Don't worry if you missed out yesterday, we've gathered all the best post-Black Friday guitar deals in one place
Cyber Monday guitar pedal deals 2024: Our expert pick of Cyber Monday stompbox deals
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Your place for all the Cyber Monday deals on guitar pedals, pedalboards, power supplies, and more
Cyber Monday Fender deals 2024: Last chance to bag yourself up to 50% off Fender gear
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Cyber Monday is over, but you can save on iconic Fender gear
I hate restringing guitars, and that’s why I fit locking tuners to all my electrics – and with 26% off Fender locking tuners, you can improve your Strat or Tele for less
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
This limited-time Cyber Week guitar deal at Amazon gets you pro-spec locking tuners for less than half I paid for my last set – but it will end soon
Cyber Monday Positive Grid deals 2024: You can still save up to 50% off Spark Mini, BIAS software and more in the Cyber Week sale
By Chris Barnes last updated
Here's how to find the best deals on amps, software and accessories before Christmas
Musician's Friend Cyber Monday deals 2024: Last chance to score up to 60% off music gear!
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Our pick of the epic deals you need to check out in the Musician's Friend Cyber Monday sale
Black Friday guitar pedal deals 2024: We round up the very best Black Friday stompbox deals still live right now
By Daryl Robertson last updated
Your place for all the greatest Black Friday deals on guitar pedals, pedalboards, power supplies and more
Musician's Friend Black Friday deals 2024: Last chance to get up to 60% off gear!
By Chris Barnes last updated
Get the lowdown on all the Black Friday sales action at Musician's Friend
Black Friday Fender deals 2024: The official sale is still live! Last chance to save big on guitars, amps, pedals, and more
By Daryl Robertson last updated
This Black Friday, we're seeing some fantastic Fender deals crop up across the web, including discounted Player II guitars
I built the Lego Fender Stratocaster and the detail blew me away – it just dropped to its lowest EVER price, and I need to tell every guitarist in my life immediately
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Amazon has brought the sought-after Lego Fender kit down to its cheapest price ever for Cyber Monday
Fender's first-ever Player II deals sold out fast – but you can still grab a $200 discount on a Stratocaster in one last Cyber Monday offer
By Daryl Robertson published
Fender's latest series only launched in July, so this is an unprecedented discount – and probably the last Player II deal we'll see this year
I’m shocked by how many newly launched guitars, amps and pedals are discounted this Cyber Monday – including my favorite electric guitar release of the year
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Think Cyber Monday is a time for getting rid of old stock? Think again, as Yamaha, Fender, Boss and other big names serve up discounts on red-hot gear launched in the last year
I’ve been reporting on Cyber Monday guitar pedal deals for 7 years – and I’ve never seen discounts like these
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Big brands like Boss, Line 6, MXR and Electro-Harmonix are offering rare reductions on standout pedals – and some companies are even slashing prices across their entire stompbox lines
Guitar Center just dropped a 15% off coupon for Cyber Monday – and it’s valid on thousands of guitars, pedals, amps and accessories
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Could you snag a discount on the gear you’re salivating over?
I’ve tried every kind of earplug in my 20 years of gigging – and the best ones I’ve used just received their first-ever discount ahead of Cyber Monday
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Loop’s Experience 2 Plus earplugs are the most comfortable earplugs I’ve tried for playing and going to shows – and they’re 20% off at Amazon right now
Sweetwater Black Friday deals 2024: savings are still live with up to 70% off
By Daryl Robertson last updated
The Sweetwater Black Friday sale is still live but you'll need to act fast to seal your deal
Guitar Center Black Friday deals 2024: you can still get the lowest prices of the year
By Chris Barnes last updated
Black Friday may be officially over, but Guitar Center still has loads of items on sale
Fender drops highly limited new Eclipse Strat and Precision Bass for Black Friday – plus big discounts on the American Professional II range
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The American Professional II Anniversary Stratocaster HSS HT and Precision Bass are limited to just 400 pieces worldwide, while the entire range has seen $200 price drops
Switching to a wireless system made me a better performer – and with big savings on the Positive Grid Spark Link for Black Friday, now is the time to cut the cord
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The already affordable Positive Grid system has had its price slashed for Black Friday
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