Simon Bradley

Simon Bradley is a guitar and especially rock guitar expert who worked for Total Guitar magazine and has in the past contributed to world-leading music and guitar titles like MusicRadar (obviously), Guitarist, Guitar World and Louder. What he doesn't know about Brian May's playing and, especially, the Red Special, isn't worth knowing.



Articles by: Simon Bradley

Thin Lizzy

6 songs guitarists need to hear by… Thin Lizzy

By Simon Bradley published

Phil Lynott's band left a sprawling and glorious legacy with an all-star cast of guitarists – here's where to start

Brian May's 'other' guitars

Brian May on 9 Queen guitars that aren't his Red Special (plus his Vox AC-30)

By Simon Bradley published

From the archive: The guitar legend on the electrics, acoustics and amps that also helped make Queen tick

Queen

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Brian May

By Simon Bradley published

The guitar connoisseurs' guide to the Queen legend

Judas Priest

6 songs guitarists need to hear by… Judas Priest

By Simon Bradley last updated

Come gather and worship at the alter of heavy metal as Priest give us an essential sermon

AC/DC

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… AC/DC (that aren't Back In Black)

By Simon Bradley published

The Aussie quintet have produced some of the best out-and-out rock music in history; here are the best places to start

The 10 different ways Eddie Van Halen made guitar great

By Simon Bradley, Rob Laing last updated

From two-hand tapping to engineering tone and his rhythmic excellence – EVH leaves an incredible legacy

Brian May rig tour: “Brian’s not going to use a Fractal rackmount and in-ears; he wants to hear three screaming AC30s behind him thumping him in the back”

By Simon Bradley published

Brian May’s long-standing tech Pete Malandrone takes us on an intimate tour of the Queen guitarist’s current touring rig

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Eddie Van Halen

By Simon Bradley published

Paying tribute to one of the greatest guitarists of all time

6 songs guitarists need to hear by… Def Leppard

By Simon Bradley last updated

Highlights of a glittering, and sometimes tragic, career

6 songs guitarists need to hear by… ZZ Top

By Simon Bradley published

The greatest moments of Billy Gibbons

6 songs guitarists need to hear by… Iron Maiden

By Simon Bradley published

Where to start with the quintessential heavy metal band

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Michael Schenker

By Simon Bradley last updated

The moments of greatness from the man who influenced Hetfield, Hammett and Randy Rhoads

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Gary Moore

By Simon Bradley published

From hard rock to blues and beyond with a guitar icon

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Brian Setzer

By Simon Bradley last updated

He's one of the all-time great guitar players, but where do you start? Here!

5 songs guitarists need to hear by… Rush

By Simon Bradley last updated

Songs in the key of Lifeson

How to play like Brian May

By Simon Bradley published

Our insider’s guide to emulating the unmistakable style of Queen’s legendary guitarist

A-Z of classic rock guitar

By Chris Bird, Simon Bradley, Rob Laing, Stuart Williams, Henry Yates published

From Aerosmith to ZZ Top

It features a hollow Shorthorn body and our example is finished in a suitably vintage white

Danelectro DCV56CR Convertible review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £599

Roof down, surf's up with this hollowbody electric

The body follows the established Dano Shorthorn style, albeit with an f-hole

Danelectro DC59TSB-12 review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £499
  • €595
  • $449

12 steps to tonal heaven

The thermometer-style body shape makes the Baby Sitar nigh-on impossible to play sitting down

Danelectro DBS68 Baby Sitar review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £599
  • €600
  • $499

Sit' back and enjoy yourself...

The high-output Ibanez pickups are designed to recreate the tone and look of Joe's own signature DiMarzios

Ibanez JS140 review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £609
  • €958
  • $1066

The affordable 24-fret Satriani signature arrives

Playing the M-15E is a tactile experience that's aided by the bijou dimensions

Farida M-15E review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £349

Small yet perfectly formed acoustic

The solid mahogany top glints invitingly beneath the gloss finish - the back and sides are laminated mahogany

Farida D-15E review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £399

Judging the dreadnought

The Richtone body shape has more rounded shoulders and a narrower waist than a dreadnought

Farida R-15E review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £399

Good-looking acoustic with an attractive price

The translucence of the flamed maple below renders any finish fisticuffs redundant: it's stunning

Gibson Slash Vermillion Les Paul review

By Simon Bradley published

  • £2199
  • €2599

Who wants to be a Vermillionaire?

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: