Articles by: Rod Brakes

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Rod Brakes is a music journalist with an expertise in guitars. Having spent many years at the coalface as a guitar dealer and tech, Rod's more recent work as a writer covering artists, industry pros and gear includes contributions for leading publications and websites such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar World (opens in new tab), Guitar Player (opens in new tab) and MusicRadar (opens in new tab) in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.

Articles by: Rod Brakes

Classic interview with Wilko Johnson and Norman Watt-Roy: “We were packing places out because we were so different from whatever else was happening”

By Rod Brakes published 24 November 22

An audience with the rhythm kings from 2018: Dr Feelgood's guitar and bass mavericks on their musical relationship, history and iconic gear

The surprising history of the Fender Telecaster

By Jamie Dickson, Rod Brakes published 23 September 22

In-depth on the birth of the first - and just maybe the greatest - solidbody electric guitar

Fender Jerry Garcia Alligator Stratocaster

Fender Custom Shop unveils the Jerry Garcia Alligator Strat

By Rod Brakes published 23 August 22

Video Created by Master Builder Austin Macnutt, this iconic axe appears in a limited run of 100 instruments

The latest Ernie Ball Music Man Short Scale StingRay basses are here

By Rod Brakes published 23 August 22

New for ’22, this colourful collection is limited to just 125 instruments worldwide

“The best art is, of course, stolen”: Maynard James Keenan talks songwriting and more

By Rod Brakes published 23 August 22

Video Don’t miss Rick Beato's brilliant interview with the Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer frontman

Has Gibson just unveiled a Noel Gallagher Epiphone Riviera?

By Rod Brakes last updated 23 August 22

Brand President Cesar Gueikian teases new releases on Instagram and it looks like two new Gallagher models are on their way

This is what a Gibson ES-335 sounds like in the right hands

By Rod Brakes published 19 August 22

Video Watch blues guitar master Kirk Fletcher get the best out of this classic semi-hollow electric

Listen to previously unreleased Rory Gallagher tracks from epic Deuce special release

By Rod Brakes published 19 August 22

The legendary Irish blues-rocker’s sophomore album sees its 50th anniversary celebration

Watch Red Hot Chili Peppers’ new Tippa My Tongue music video

By Rod Brakes published 19 August 22

Video The band's latest single is taken from their forthcoming album, Return of the Dream Canteen

Kemper announces new lightweight Kone Neo 12-inch speaker

By Rod Brakes published 19 August 22

The German firm’s upgraded Kabinet speaker is now shipping

Ernie Ball adds triple-pack options to their world-famous guitar string range

By Rod Brakes published 16 August 22

The firm celebrates 60 years in the business with expanded choices for electric and acoustic players

Introducing the Electro-Harmonix J Mascis Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi

By Rod Brakes published 16 August 22

Dinosaur Jr.’s Muff connoisseur gets his own slice of the Pi

Fender unveils the Kingfish Telecaster Deluxe and Kingfish Signature Humbucker Pickups

By Rod Brakes published 16 August 22

Mississippi blues phenom Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is honoured with signature Tele and ‘buckers

Listen to previously unreleased Eric Clapton track Born Under a Bad Sign

By Rod Brakes last updated 17 August 22

Video This rarity appears ahead of new limited edition boxed set release, The Complete Reprise Studio Albums – Volume I

Trace Elliot introduces the Pro series 4x10 and 2x12 Cabinets

By Rod Brakes published 12 August 22

The low-end titan returns to the big stage

“I’m a wannabe rockstar stuck in a popstar’s body”: Dylan talks inspiration, creativity and customising guitars in Fender’s latest Player Plus Sessions episode

By Rod Brakes published 12 August 22

Video The self-taught six-string obsessive performs three songs and explains how her lifelong habit of painting guitars began

“It was all done in about 15 to 20 minutes”: superbrain Adrian Emsley reveals his thinking behind the Orange O Bass design

By Rod Brakes published 12 August 22

We catch up with the engineering wizard as Orange unveils the latest version of their acclaimed four-string

Kramer’s new Striker collection is so retro even the prices are ‘80s

By Rod Brakes published 12 August 22

Dive bombing prices and shredding hefty price tags, these revamped metal machines are built for speed

Can you hear the difference? Listen to IK Multimedia’s mind-blowingly accurate AI Machine Modeling software

By Rod Brakes last updated 10 August 22

Video Watch these demos featuring classic amps from IK’s private vault and judge for yourself

Mad Professor Amplification The Green Wonder

Mad Professor promises their new Green Wonder overdrive is the “ultimate green pedal!”

By Rod Brakes published 9 August 22

Finland’s primo effects pedal builder gives their Little Green Wonder a makeover

Iommi and Osbourne perform at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony at Alexander Stadium on August 08, 2022 on the Birmingham, England

Fans hope for Black Sabbath reunion following Iron Man and Paranoid performances

By Rod Brakes published 9 August 22

Video Rumours abound as Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne share the stage at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony

Pigtronix introduces new compressor-equipped automatic volume fader, the Gloamer

By Rod Brakes published 9 August 22

Brooklyn’s porcine pedal pioneers drive the Slow Gear sound into new sonic territory

Walrus Audio launches the Mira optical compressor pedal

By Rod Brakes last updated 31 August 22

This studio-style unit has an impressive set of controls and some tricks up its sleeve

Guitarist Jeff Loomis performs at Slim's on April 5, 2013 in San Francisco, California.

Von Frankenstein Monster Gear unveils Jeff Loomis signature string sets

By Rod Brakes published 2 August 22

The heavy metal master joins the Misfits guitarist’s new guitar gear venture

James Bay explains how his hit songs are made on Fender’s Technique of the Week

By Rod Brakes published 2 August 22

Video The British singer-songwriter shares some awesome tips on making use of open strings

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