Latest articles by Michael Astley-Brown
NAMM 2024: Can a Yamaha Pacifica ever be worth $2,000? We played the new Pacifica Professional to find out
Forget the name: there’s a lot more to Yamaha’s new flagship than you might think, including some genuine industry firsts
“One of the most requested models in Epiphone's history”: The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 signature exists – and we’ve played it
The Foo Fighters man’s affordable signature broke cover at Gibson’s pre-NAMM preview event
“What bass would Neo play? An upright bass. He’s going to want to play some jazz. With Morpheus on drums. We’ll be a power trio with Agent Smith on keys”: We interviewed Keanu Reeves about bass guitar – and it was a musical conversation unlike any other
He’s one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, but Keanu Reeves has had a lifelong love affair with the bass guitar. In an exclusive interview, he opens up about his weed-fueled Bill & Ted bass duels, why he doesn’t consider himself worthy of a Fender signature model, and what he really learned from Flea in that one-on-one lesson
“There are 8 people working full-time to review each and every one”: The Smashing Pumpkins receive 10,000 submissions for new guitarist role
The alt-rock icons have recruited an entire team to review every single application
Black Keys, Black Crowes and the next in line for Mastodon’s mind-expanding metal crown: this week’s essential guitar tracks
The must-hear licks, riffs, solos and six-string moments from BIG|BRAVE, Bring Me The Horizon, Dead Poet Society, Bodega, Slift, Waxahatchee, and more
“Alex Winter and I would have two-bass jams when we made Bill & Ted – I won’t say there wasn’t any weed involved…” Keanu Reeves recalls his Wyld bass duels with his excellent co-star
Bill & Ted may have been guitar shredders, but Reeves and Winter are bassists in real life. And their off-set jams sounded like a lot of fun…
The Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a new guitarist – anyone can apply, but securing the position won’t be easy. Here are 5 things you need to nail to get the gig
Reckon you’ve got what it takes to play alongside Billy Corgan and James Iha? It will take much more than just learning the songs
“It’s the only delay that can make those OK Computer sounds”: Ed O’Brien explains why one BOSS pedal was integral to Radiohead’s landmark ’90s albums
The Bends and OK Computer wouldn’t sound the same without the BOSS DD-5 – and Radiohead’s resident effects expert is already eyeing up some newly launched delays for the band’s next outing
Alien rhythms, god-level chops and samurai guitar duels: these are the best guitar albums of 2023
Guitar World staff and readers reflect on the finest fretwork captured on record this year
“At its best, the solo can tell a story, give us a sense of spectacle, and even offer a window into a player’s soul”: These are the best guitar solos of 2023
Guitar World staff and readers choose the outstanding lead efforts of the year – including “this decades's Eruption”
“A rhythmic motif so simple that even the most basic living organisms on this great planet can get down to it”: These are the best guitar riffs of 2023
Guitar World staff and readers name the finest riffs of the year – a list that unites the worlds of metal, rock, indie and more…
Devastating displays of double-neck tapping and Joe Bonamassa’s Christmas single: here are this week’s essential guitar tracks
Catch up with the best guitar tracks from the past 7 days with fresh cuts from Joe Bonamassa, Joanne Shaw Taylor, J Mascis, Felix Martin and more
Three “God-like guitarists” join forces and stadium-conquering rockers channel their inner spy: This week's essential guitar tracks
Must-listen-to tunes from Guns N' Roses, Architects, IDLES, The Libertines, Devon Ross, Ryujin and many more
10,000 volt lead licks and the bluesier side of Peaky Blinders: This week's essential guitar tracks
Killer new cuts from Ace Frehley, Judas Priest, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Anna Calvi, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Alkaline Trio, and many more
Cyber Monday Fender deals 2023: you can still get up to 50% off guitars, pedals, and amps
Cyber Monday is officially over but there is still time to grab a great saving on Fender gear
Guitar Center Cyber Monday deals 2023: for a limited time you can still get up to 40% off guitar gear
Cyber Monday is done but you can still bag some big savings on guitar gear until November 29
Cyber Monday guitar pedal deals 2023: Our expert pick of Cyber Monday stompbox offers that are still live
Your place for all the greatest Cyber Monday deals on guitar pedals, pedalboards, power supplies and more
Cyber Monday Positive Grid deals 2023: Cyber Week deals are live with saving on the Spark Go and Mini, plus 50% off BIAS software
Positive Grid's official Cyber Week sale has landed! Here's how to find the best savings on amps, software and accessories
Musician's Friend Cyber Monday deals 2023: The mega Musician's Friend sale is still live with up to 50% off
The deals you need to check out in the Musician's Friend Cyber Week sale
Sweetwater Cyber Monday deals 2023: Sweetwater's sale is still live – bag up to 80% off
We've compiled some of the sweetest Sweetwater Cyber Week deals on guitars, amps, pedals, recording gear and more
Cyber Monday guitar deals 2023: Our expert pick of today's sales and savings that are still live
All the best Cyber Monday guitar bargains you can still buy right now – save big on guitars, amps, effects and accessories
I’m tired of tripping over onstage, and with guitar wireless systems as cheap as $31.99 for Cyber Monday, I might ditch the cable for good
When did guitar wireless systems get so affordable? We round up this year’s top deals for guitarists cutting the cord
I’ve owned two Boss DS-1s in my lifetime – and with $50 savings on the DS-1W, I might just buy another… and this heavily reduced HM-2W to boot
Two of Boss’ top distortion pedals have had big reductions this Cyber Monday – not to mention the pro-level GT-1000 multi-FX/amp modeler
My pedalboard is full, but I can’t resist a cheap guitar pedal deal – and these Cyber Monday offers are so good, I’m going to have to make room
Some of the guitar world’s biggest pedal brands are offering big savings on budget stompboxes – these are the best cheap pedal deals we’ve found on JHS Pedals, Walrus Audio, MXR, Wampler and more
Yep, Fender really was selling a guitar amp for $25 – it just sold out, but the rest of Fender.com’s Cyber Monday deals are still available, and there are some epic bargains to be had
Even if you missed the boat on the 50%-off Mini Deluxe, you can snag some real bargains on the Big F’s Vintera, Aerodyne and Squier lineups – not to mention straps, cables, pickups and so much more
