Latest articles by David Mead
Molly Tuttle: “I don’t want to play bluegrass to a click. It’s such an organic music – I wanted to get the feeling of people just jamming together”
New album Crooked Tree finds the flatpicker extraordinaire exploring her influences with a stunning set of original tunes
Larrivée OMV-03 review
Every time we open the case of a Larrivée acoustic we’re reminded how much we like them, and this charming little OM cutaway is no exception
Steve Gunn: “I’ve played Fenders from the '50s, pre-CBS, and there’s an energy in the wood. There’s a lot of magic in older guitars”
Bought & Sold: The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter spins the tale of a voyage into the world of classical guitars and how he let a Silvertone slip through his fingers
Dan Patlansky: “I’ve hemorrhaged money on fuzzes. I probably could have retired on the money I’ve spent on them”
The South African rocker reveals a lifetime’s quest to find the perfect fuzz pedal and an incredible deal on a ’62 Strat
Udo Roesner Da Capo 75 Acoustic Amp review
AER’s Compact 60 amp has long ruled as the acoustic player’s indispensable live companion, but there's a new amp in town, and it means business...
Faith Blue Moon Venus review
Faith extends its Venus range to include this OM/Auditorium-style electro-acoustic made from glorious figured mango
Mark Tremonti on finding the right guitar, the economics of Dumble amps and the Goldtop that got away
Tremonti details his biggest gear hits and misses, and why good players sound like themselves no matter the rig
Gibson Generation G-00, G-45, G-Writer EC and G-200 EC review
A quartet of brand-new Gibson acoustics with player ports inspired by an idea from legendary company president Ted McCarty during the early 1960s. Intrigued? We were…
Steve Howe on his greatest guitar gear hits and misses
The Yes guitar legend reaffirms his love for his Gibson ES-175D, but reveals how he was nearly swayed by a costly 335…
Emerald Virtuo review
Acoustic carbon-fiber guitar manufacturers Emerald take a bold step into the twin-humbucker semi-acoustic market with one of the most versatile instruments we’ve encountered
Troy Redfern on how a musical awakening via Marty McFly led to a lifelong fascination with country blues guitar
The doyen of fuzzed-up slide guitar unpacks his influences, his pedalboard, and recalls how he made friends with Bumblefoot
Chris Buck on his greatest gear finds, buyer's regret and advice on finding the right guitar
In a career spent chasing after the perfect guitar, the Cardinal Black six-stringer explains why he just can't let any of them go
Orange Acoustic Pedal review
The renowned amp manufacturer ventures into the acoustic realm to provide an all-in-one DI and EQ solution for live performance
Takamine PTU441-MTB review
Originally produced for the Japanese home market, this little parlour-sized acoustic is now available as a limited UK run. They say small is beautiful – let’s take a listen…
Robben Ford discusses the tones behind the tracks on his first instrumental album in over 20 years
On Pure, Ford took the opportunity to take a completely different approach to recording
Lowden F-34 review
A koa and spruce combination for a light and airy tone and a response that will suit a gentle fingerstylist
Guthrie Govan: "Make sure you explore the whole range of your guitar – not only will you become a better player, but also a more informed buyer"
Bought & Sold: The Aristocrats guitarist on his greatest gear hits and misses, including the most original reason we’ve heard for buying a 335 and an affection for ring modulators
Pierre Bensusan: “The way you tune the strings should not be used to hide a possible lack of imagination, but it should enhance it“
The French-Algerian DADGAD maestro on letting inspiration find him for new record Azwan – an album inspired by bees
Cort Core-OC Series review
They may look almost identical, but it’s the body woods that make all the difference for this trio – and they’re outstandingly affordable, too
Brian May and Arielle detail the evolution of the Brian May Guitars Arielle
The Queen guitarist welcomes a new addition to his BMG range, designed by rising guitar force Arielle
Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr on his greatest gear buys, regrets and why he's an enabler of impulse purchases
Bought & Sold: the classic rock-loving frontman details why Esquires have more fire than Telecasters, and how he was once gifted a ’58 Gibson Les Paul Custom
John Smith: ”The only way to cope with life is to write songs, for me. As soon as I picked up the pen, the songs started falling out”
Recorded at Real World studios last September, The Fray finds the acoustic ace exorcising personal turmoil in song – and leaning heavily into electric guitars
Lowden WL-25 & S-23 12-Frets review
It’s the age of the smaller-bodied acoustic – but being petite doesn’t mean you won’t stand out in a crowd, as these two new 12-fretters from the Lowden workshops set out to prove
