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
Tim Henson called him his favorite new guitar player. But RJ Pasin considers himself a producer more than a guitarist
By Alison Richter published
After getting clean, Pasin has committed to a formidable work ethic – now he has millions of followers, he’s guested with Bring Me The Horizon, and he’s getting busy with Tim Henson
Acoustic virtuoso Mike Dawes names 10 guitarists who shaped his sound
By Michael Astley-Brown published
One of today’s foremost acoustic virtuosos names the players who inspired his awe-inspiring percussive style and changed the game – and offers his pick for “the most criminally underrated name in guitar”
Electro-Harmonix unveils the POG3, the latest generation of the trailblazing octave pedal beloved by Joe Satriani and Jack White
By Michael Astley-Brown published
With an all-new chassis, features cribbed from EHX's greatest hits, and a $645 price tag, does this premium pedal mark a new era for the storied New York FX co?
Aerosmith retire from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal injury – and say a full recovery is “not possible”
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The American rock institution have canceled the remaining dates on their farewell tour following Tyler’s vocal injury last year
Zoom has launched an affordable amp sim pedal – can its Multi-Layer IR technology give it the edge over its competitors?
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The MS-80IR+ MultiStomp offers a choice of 23 amps and a price tag that undercuts many of its competitors
EVH drops three new variants of the “civilian” Frankenstein Relic – including a Silverburst version
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The latest high-spec tribute to Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein ditches the stripes and comes in blue, silver and sunburst finishes for a limited time only
Tired of over-complicated delay pedals? EarthQuaker Devices’ Silos might just be the answer
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Meet EQD’s Multi-Generational Time Reflection Device – the no-nonsense compact delay pedal with settings you’ll actually use
“I was determined to avoid hailing him as the future of shred, but I simply cannot do it”: July 2024 Guitar World editor's picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
From an eight-string chug-a-thon with blues licks to make Eric Johnson blush, to a baritone turn from the hottest guitar player on the planet right now, this month was soundtracked by some top-tier guitar action
Best chorus pedals 2024: top choices for your 'board
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
From analog to digital, and shimmery to subtle, let us show you the best chorus pedals you can buy today
He’s one of shred guitar’s most original players – now Jakub Żytecki has released 2024’s high-performance offset to beat with Mayones
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The ambient shredder’s take on the Jazzmaster format brings a remarkable preamp, USB charging and several Mayones firsts to the classic silhouette
Jerry Cantrell taps Guns N’ Roses and Metallica bassists for new solo album I Want Blood
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The Alice in Chains leader has signaled his return to heavy riffs with first single Vilified
Joe Satriani devised the perfect amp to harness Eddie Van Halen’s greatest tones – and you can get a plugin version right now
By Michael Astley-Brown published
While 3rd Power’s Dragon 100 goes up for preorder, IK Multimedia has bolstered its Joe Satriani Amp Vault with models of the very amp Satch is using to shred EVH on the Best of All Worlds tour with Sammy Hagar
Elwood Francis on the origins of his 17-string bass – and why he regrets it becoming a ZZ Top staple
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Elwood Francis reveals the origins of his preposterous 17-string bass – and why he’s disappointed it went viral
PRS has finally released one of its most head-turning limited guitar runs worldwide
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The SE CE 24 Swamp Ash “Sandblasted” Limited will be available everywhere, following a Europe-only sandblasted run in 2019
Fernandes Guitars – the company behind iconic electrics played by Billie Joe Armstrong, Kirk Hammett and Robert Fripp – has filed for bankruptcy
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The Japanese firm, which was also behind the Sustainer pickup and Burny guitars, was founded in 1969
“Big riff energy is in this kid’s blood – and he might even solo better than his dad…” June 2024 Guitar World editor’s picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
From all-star offspring to returning noise-rock icons, a punk trailblazer’s first album in 53 years and the future of blues, this month had it all
Can solid-state amps compete with tubes? Laney thinks its Lionheart Foundry combos are up to the challenge
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Affordable, giggable and lightweight, the 60W analog combos also boast impulse responses for easy recording
“There’s no questioning the rock-solid protection it affords your guitar, or the efforts Fender has gone to to create a nicely priced case that offers a premium feel”: Fender F1225 Electric Guitar Gig Bag review
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Fender’s nicely priced, top-of-the-line gig bag combines the best features of hard and soft cases
Joe Satriani has modeled his epic amp collection – including some you might not expect
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The shred lord may be best known for high-gain Marshalls, but he has some real gems in his collection – which he has demoed with some unlikely guitars for the IK Multimedia Joe Satriani Amp Vault
Best pedalboard power supplies 2024: juice your ‘board with our recommendations
By Michael Astley-Brown last updated
Make sure your effects are firing on all cylinders with our pick of the best pedal power supplies from Strymon to Ernie Ball
Kiki Wong brings a metal edge to her debut Smashing Pumpkins performance after beating 10,000 guitarists to the gig
By Michael Astley-Brown published
In her first show with the alt-rock icons, the Instagram favorite delivers on her quest to bring out the Pumpkins’ heavy side
Billy Corgan reveals how many guitarists the Smashing Pumpkins auditioned in person – and how they knew Kiki Wong was the one
By Michael Astley-Brown published
The band have also finished a guitar record that will make “the old-school fans happy”
Fender just dropped the biggest Tone Master Pro update since its launch last year
By Michael Astley-Brown published
Plus you can now control Fender’s flagship amp modeler with your phone
“There can be no more fitting sendoff to this uncompromising sonic innovator”: May 2024 Guitar World editors’ picks
By Michael Astley-Brown published
From acoustic wizards to bedroom pop mainstays, prog-metal masters and fallen heroes – here are our standout guitar tracks from the past 31 days
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