Dave Hunter

Dave Hunter

Dave Hunter is a writer and consulting editor for Guitar Player magazine. His prolific output as author includes Fender 75 Years (opens in new tab), The Guitar Amp Handbook (opens in new tab), The British Amp Invasion (opens in new tab), Ultimate Star Guitars (opens in new tab), Guitar Effects Pedals (opens in new tab), The Guitar Pickup Handbook (opens in new tab), The Fender Telecaster (opens in new tab) and several other titles. Hunter is a former editor of The Guitar Magazine (UK), and a contributor to Vintage Guitar, Premier Guitar, The Connoisseur and other publications. A contributing essayist to the United States Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board’s Permanent Archive, he lives in Kittery, ME, with his wife and their two children and fronts the bands A Different Engine and The Stereo Field.

Latest articles by Dave Hunter

Roland G-707 guitar controller

Played by Jimmy Page, Andy Summers, Pat Metheny and More, Roland’s Quirky GR Guitar Synths Were Surprisingly Versatile Creative Tools

By Dave Hunter published

Guitar synths didn’t dominate popular music, but it wasn’t for Roland’s lack of trying.

Bunting Guitars Amarok

Gritty and Elegant, Bunting Guitars' Amarok is a Lot of Fun by Any Measure

By Dave Hunter published

This stripped-down rock 'n' roll warrior looks, plays and sounds like an old familiar friend.

Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Modeler

Line 6 DL4 MkII Delay Modeler Pedal Review

By Dave Hunter published

This massively handy echo box is an Editors’ Pick Award winner if ever there was one.

Gibson ES-225TD

The Gibson ES-225 Remains One of the Most Overlooked Golden Era Guitars

By Dave Hunter published

This classic design was a major stepping-stone in the storied evolution of thinline electrics.

Chet Atkins

Here’s Why Chet Atkins was a Humbucking Pickup Pioneer

By Dave Hunter published

Mr Guitar was performing with the Gretsch Filter’Tron before the Gibson PAF appeared on guitars.

Carlos Santana performs at the Oakland Stadium on July 2, 1977 in Oakland, California.

Watch Carlos Santana Bringing Mesa/Boogie Amps and Yamaha Guitars to the Masses

By Rod Brakes, Dave Hunter published

Video Here’s why the Grammy-winning legend was a guitar gear innovator.

Video
b3 Telstar

b3 Guitars Delivers the Best of the Big F’s Top Two Timeless Models with the Telstar

By Dave Hunter published

Created by ex-Fender Custom Shop senior master builder Gene Baker, this artful instrument is of fine pedigree.

Rivolta Regata VII

Rivolta Regata VII Review

By Dave Hunter published

Hip “familiar-alternative” styling with a confident, versatile performance leaning toward the rocky side of indie, alternative and roots styles.

Aero Instrument dBuz

Aero Instrument dBuz Cable and dBuzX Extender Review

By Dave Hunter published

If noise is cramping your style, dBuz can get rid of it as fast as you can swap cables.

Fender Twin-Amp

How the Fender Twin-Amp Became a Worthy Weapon of Choice for Clapton, Richards, Gilmour and Bonamassa

By Dave Hunter published

With circuit advances and 12 on the dial, the 1958 Fender Twin-Amp was the world’s most formidable roaring guitar combo.

Eastman Guitars

“Our First Original Solidbody Electric Design is Coming in Time for Summer NAMM”: the Inside Scoop on How Eastman Keeps Hitting the Mark

By Dave Hunter published

The old world meets original design at Eastman Guitars, where every instrument has its own story.

Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V

Gibson’s Murphy Lab Pays Tribute to Johnny Winter’s Well-Traveled 1964 Firebird V

By Dave Hunter published

This flawless – and very limited – re-creation is an outstanding guitar by any measure.

Meg and Jack White, 2001

“I Always Look at Playing Guitar as an Attack. It Has to Be a Fight”: How Jack White Made Cheap Guitars Cool (and Expensive!)

By Dave Hunter published

Video The White Stripes guitarist proves music is in the heart, mind and fingers of the maker in this awesome SNL performance of “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.”

Video
Dick Dale with gold sparkle Fender Stratocaster

“Surf Music Is a Heavy Machine-Gun Staccato Picking Style”: How Dick Dale Pushed Leo Fender into Pulling Out the Big Guns

By Dave Hunter published

The King of Surf Guitar was an Innovator of the Big-Stage Rig

Eric Clapton, 1966

“Put the Microphone Over There On the Other Side of the Room Because I’m Going to Play Loud”: How Eric Clapton Took Volume to 11

By Dave Hunter published

Armed with a Marshall and a Les Paul, Slowhand pushed the envelope of guitar tone in 1966.

Andy Summers

“All This Equipment is Just to Make a Sound Like We Used to Get Years Ago”: Watch Andy Summers Demo His Massive Effects Rig in 1987

By Dave Hunter published

Video Here’s why the Police guitarist is an effects innovator.

Video
1959 Gretsch Double Anniversary

The Gretsch Double Anniversary is a Budget Ride to Atkins Country

By Dave Hunter published

The “sports car” of the line represents much of the best of Gretsch’s golden years.

Eastman T184MX

Eastman T184MX Review

By Dave Hunter published

This semi-hollowbody is built in the tradition of fine acoustic archtops.

Eastman T64/v

Eastman T64/v Review

By Dave Hunter published

A 1964-style, ES-330-inspired thinline hollowbody with a genuine Bigsby vibrato tailpiece

Strymon Iridium

Strymon Iridium Amp and IR Cab Pedal Review

By Dave Hunter published

This small box of wonders injects realitic amp tone into the chain.

Watkins Copicat

Here's How the Watkins Copicat Tape Delay Helped Define the Sound of an Era

By Dave Hunter published

Adopted by Hank Marvin and the Shadows this classic echo unit was the first – and some still contend, best – of its kind.

Matchless Laurel Canyon

Matchless Laurel Canyon and Coldwater Canyon Review

By Dave Hunter published

These new 6V6-fueled amps capture classic American tone with West Coast sonic splendor.

PRS SE Silver Sky

PRS SE Silver Sky Review

By Dave Hunter published

This S-type can do just about anything you set your mind, heart and fingers to.

Strymon Compadre

Strymon Compadre Dual-Voice Compressor and Boost Review

By Dave Hunter published

A versatile boost with an extremely pleasant and rather addictive compressor that enlivens the overall sound.

AVA One First Edition

AVA Puts an Elegant Spin on Carbon-Fiber Luthiery with its One First Edition

By Dave Hunter published

This forward-thinking design is an option for guitarists looking to break the bounds of conventional construction and find creatively expressive new voices.

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