
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

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

November 2024 Guitar World editors’ picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Fresh jams from GW faves like Ola Englund, Smith/Kotzen, Ally Venable – and the hottest new guitar acts you need to hear right… about… now

Think you can’t afford a Fender amp this Black Friday? You can snag one for $29 if you act now
By Michael Astley-Brown published
This adorable Mini Deluxe is half-price for a limited time – and at this price, it makes the perfect gift for the guitarist in your life

Black Friday Positive Grid deals 2024: The first-ever Spark 2 discounts are here – plus, ways to save on the rest of the Spark line-up today
By Chris Barnes last updated
The official Black Friday deals are here, with discounts on nearly every smart amp in the line-up, plus big savings on software

Best budget guitar amps under $500 in 2025: cost-cutting amplifiers for the budget-conscious player
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Get great sounds and features without blowing your budget – from affordable tube amps to wallet-friendly digital modeling amps and everything in between

Robert Smith’s 2024 guitar rig flies in the face of modern guitar culture – and sounds all the more majestic for it
By Michael Astley-Brown published
As The Cure return to the stage with their first album in 16 years, their leader is employing a setup that defiantly rejects contemporary tonal wisdom

Ghost, Royal Blood and Pixies producer reveals “the biggest mistake guitar players make” when recording
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Tom Dalgety has crafted some of modern rock’s biggest-sounding albums – and he has some sage words of wisdom when it comes to guitar tone

“The sonic equivalent of a fist-fight between James Hetfield and Alex Lifeson”: October 2024 Guitar World editors’ picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The hot new tracks and deep cuts GW editors have been listening to this month

Surviving Grateful Dead members pay tribute to bassist Phil Lesh, who has died aged 84
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Lesh didn’t play bass when he joined Jerry Garcia’s new band, leading to an innovative style that brought the instrument to the fore

From a virtuoso Tool support to Rabea Massaad’s new supergroup, meet the next generation of progressive guitar heroes
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The UK’s ArcTanGent Festival is the world’s biggest celebration of heavy progressive music, and this year’s lineup featured epic sets from Meshuggah, Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. Could these 5 bands be the headliners of the future?

Mark Hoppus charts his bass origin story, embracing amp modelers and switching from Ernie Ball to Fender
By Michael Astley-Brown published
In a rare interview, the blink-182 bassist shares his tone secrets, the bassline he still struggles to play, and how Ned’s Atomic Dustbin changed the way he approaches the bass

“He started playing bass… He got so into it he started bleeding”: Alex Van Halen reveals his and Eddie’s secret jams with Chris Cornell
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Eddie Van Halen and his brother tried out the Soundgarden singer shortly before his death – and at one stage, an Ozzy Osbourne-fronted Van Halen album was also on the cards
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!