Michael Astley-Brown

Michael Astley-Brown

Editor-in-Chief of GuitarPlayer.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com and GuitarPlayer.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as the best part of 20 years performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Latest articles by Michael Astley-Brown

A huge collection of effects pedals snaking their way towards an amp and guitar
So many pedal deals, so little time: The best deals on guitar pedals right now

By Scott Rowley, Michael Astley-Brown, Christopher Scapelliti, Matt McCracken Published

Huge savings on small boxes that make big noises. A guide to the best pedal deals right now

Pedals & Pedalboards
Cyber Monday pedal deals
The most affordable way to transform your sound: Get a Cyber Monday effects pedal deal before it's too late

By Tom Poak Published

The clock is tick-tick-ticking and the deals are almost over: check out these deals on some of the coolest pedals around while you still can…

Pedals & Pedalboards
Harley Benton DNAfx GiT
Harley Benton Reveals Its First, Ultra-Affordable Multi-FX Pedal

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated

The DNAfx GiT features 55 amps, 26 cabs, 151 effects, impulse responses and much more.

Pedals & Pedalboards
Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Dawes
Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Dawes Team Up For Spellbinding Acoustic Cover of Somebody That I Used to Know

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated

The Aussie virtuoso trades liquid blues lines with Dawes’ mind-boggling percussive arrangement of the Gotye smash.

Guitarists
Harley Benton Aeolus
Harley Benton Debuts a Fresh Take on the Semi-Hollow Single-Cut with the Aeolus

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

New flame maple-topped, mahogany-bodied outline comes with a remarkable $406 price tag.

Albums, Singles & New Releases
Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather Reveals New Song Run to Me, Featuring Ringo Starr

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated

Huey Lewis & the News’ John Pierce and Joseph Williams also feature on the Sixties-inspired single.

Music
Circle Guitar
The Self-Picking Circle Guitar Seeks to “Push Guitar Playing into New, Unexplored Territories”

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

The innovative design boasts a mechanical step sequencer that rotates up to 250bpm.

Guitars
David Gilmour performs at the Royal Albert Hall on September 23, 2015 in London, England.
Hear David Gilmour’s First New Music in Five Years

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

“Yes, I Have Ghosts” is the Pink Floyd icon’s first original material since 2015’s ‘Rattle That Lock’.

Albums, Singles & New Releases
Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII Black and Blue Edition
Blackstar Launches HT Club 40 MkII Black and Blue Edition

By Michael Astley-Brown Last updated

New version of versatile combo amp boasts sought-after vintage 6L6GC-STR tubes and Celestion Vintage 30 speaker.

Amps
Fender MTG Tube Tremolo pedal
Fender Releases MTG Tube Tremolo Pedal

By Michael Astley-Brown Published

New stompbox uses real preamp tube to capture vintage amp tremolo tone.

Pedals & Pedalboards