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, The Guitar Amp Handbook, The British Amp Invasion, Ultimate Star Guitars, Guitar Effects Pedals, The Guitar Pickup Handbook, The Fender Telecaster 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

Eastman Juliet

“We Wanted to Put Everything Into a New Design That Is Our Own”: Introducing the Juliet – Eastman’s First Original Solidbody

By Dave Hunter published

Part Firebird, part SG and part offset, the Juliet is something truly different

Valco KGB DIST

Valco KGB DIST Distortion Pedal Review

By Dave Hunter last updated

Designed and built in Canada, this handy box adds hair to guitars, synths, clavs, Wurlis, bass and more

Fender JV Modified ’50s Stratocaster HSS

Fender JV Modified ’50s Stratocaster HSS Review

By Dave Hunter last updated

Embodying versatility and affordability, this Strat pays homage to the great Japanese Fenders of the early ’80s

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass HT

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass HT Review

By Dave Hunter last updated

A retake on a modern classic with several clever twists

McInturff Spellcaster

This McInturff Sounds Like a Telecaster From Your Favorite Classic Rock Album

By Dave Hunter published

With electronics inspired by a famed 1970s studio console, Terry C. McInturff’s Spellcaster is tonal magic

Fane speakers

Fane Ascension F25, F30 and A30 Guitar Speakers Reviews

By Dave Hunter published

Each of these new Ascension models should be given serious consideration alongside the usual suspects

WEM Dominator

How the Watkins Dominator Pointed the Way Forward to Marshall’s Famed 18-Watters

By Dave Hunter published

Also known for the Copicat tape delay, the esteemed British amp builder Watkins aka WEM was a guitar gear pioneer

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 last updated

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

Video
Fender Electric XII

How the Fender Electric XII Became the Sound Everyone Chased During the Late-’60s Craze for 12-String Jangle

By Dave Hunter published

The unorthodox 12-string electric found its way onto some of rock's most classic recordings, wooing guitarists the world over, but the course of true love ran any way but smooth.

Reverend's Six Gun HPP 25th Anniversary Edition guitar

Reverend Six Gun HPP 25th Anniversary Edition Review

By Dave Hunter last updated

If your budget is slightly north of $1k, and you're looking for one solid guitar to tackle a wide range of sounds and styles, this should be a top contender for the job.

A 1967 Rickenbacker 365 guitar

A Look Back at the Rickenbacker 365: One of the Storied Company's Most Versatile and Toneful Creations

By Dave Hunter published

The 365 has features that make it both a classic Rickenbacker and a great choice by any standard for everything from clanging power chords to chiming arpeggio work.

1959 Gretsch Double Anniversary

The Gretsch Double Anniversary is a Budget Ride to Atkins Country

By Dave Hunter last updated

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

Three Gibson Theodore models

How the Lost Gibson Theodore Came Roaring to Life After 65 Years in the Company's Archives

By Dave Hunter published

Based on a Ted McCarty drawing that was tucked away in a portfolio of lap-steel designs from 1946, the Theodore really brings something unique to the table.

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.

Fender Vintera '50s Stratocaster Modified

Fender Vintera '50s Stratocaster Modified Review

By Dave Hunter last updated

Classic meets contemporary in this superbly appointed Strat.

Rivolta Regata VII

Rivolta Regata VII Review

By Dave Hunter last updated

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

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 last updated

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

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.

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