Rod Brakes
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, Guitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.
Latest articles by Rod Brakes
![Amy Winehouse rehearses ahead of tomorrow's Wembley Arena performace of "The Miller Strat Pack" concert on September 23, 2004 at Black Island Studios in London. The event pays homage to the Fender Stratocaster at tomorrow's charity concert for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, and celebrates 50 years of the iconic guitar.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jawWXHHQK2q65QBG8PRVqR-320-80.jpg)
"She made it look so effortless.” Watch Amy Winehouse stun audiences with her voice and a Stratocaster
By Christopher Scapelliti published
Known for her singular voice, Winehouse was also a talented guitarist
![A selection of guitar gear including guitars, cables, and guitar strings](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5oHgojM6z8x9YnYJZ9m6Z4-320-80.jpg)
Black Friday guitar deals 2024: Black Friday is officially over but you can still grab a great guitar gear deal
By Matt McCracken last updated
Black Friday may be done for this year, but there are still loads of great savings available and we've got the best of them
![English guitarist Keith Richards of rock group The Rolling Stones plays a Gibson Les Paul guitar with Bigsby Vibrato on the set of the ABC Television pop music television show Thank Your Lucky Stars at Alpha Television Studios in Birmingham, England on 21st March 1965.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cdJe9ugkR6EsHxVJuEso8V-320-80.png)
"The shot heard around the world”: How the Rolling Stones’ debut appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show launched not only them but also the Gibson Les Paul Standard
By Rod Brakes published
The Stones' first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show shocked parents, thrilled kids, and gave many people their first glimpse of “the most historically important ‘Burst” – Keith Richards’ 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Guitar dealer Richard Henry retraces its history
![Bernie Marsden, guitarist with heavy rock band Whitesnake, playing the guitar on the set of a video shoot at Shepperton Studios, outside London, England, Great Britain, in 1978.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rbd7u96RzxbaVvUxTm5hRV-320-80.jpg)
British Blues-Rock Legend and Whitesnake Founding Guitarist Bernie Marsden Dead at 72
By Rod Brakes published
The owner of the Beast Les Paul and “Here I Go Again” co-writer passes away peacefully alongside his family
![Kevin Armstrong attends the David Bowie Music Walk of Fame stone unveiling on Camden High Street on September 22, 2022 in London, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2SaMiYMBttvaXGBtrkjcAJ-320-80.jpg)
“Nobody Cares About Your Amazing Technique but You”: These Brutally Honest Tips for Musicians From David Bowie and Iggy Pop Guitarist Kevin Armstrong Are Some of the Best We’ve Ever Heard
By Rod Brakes published
The “best least-known guitarist,” solo artist, producer and songwriter shows us his rig and offers some hard-earned wisdom
![Dinosaural Cogmeister](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XXm4NzjogGxja7tkqny4pE-320-80.jpg)
“It’s My Gain Masterpiece”: Pedal Guru Dan Coggins Reveals the Secrets Behind His New Dinosaural Cogmeister
By Rod Brakes published
Is this stompbox set to be another modern classic? The renowned Lovetone and ThorpyFX circuit designer evokes the “sublime” sound of classic rock with this uniquely voiced and highly versatile three-in-one gain pedal
![Guild Standard Series F-40, D-40 and D-50 acoustic guitars in sunburst and natural finishes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nrhorCSMxoYBbQ98rB4gPZ-320-80.jpg)
Guild Revives Vintage Dreadnought and Jumbo Designs With New American-Made Standard Series D-40, D-50 and F-40 Acoustic Guitars
By Rod Brakes published
Built by hand in California, these upmarket flat-tops are made using premium tonewoods and nitrocellulose lacquer
![Erja Lyytinen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rswJ6TdF935a4EsdzUAfqC-320-80.jpg)
"Open C Tuning With a Slide Gives It a Whole New Approach": Watch Blues Rocker Erja Lyytinen’s Up-Tempo Live Rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic”
By Rod Brakes published
Video The Finnish guitarist’s latest track appears ahead of new double live album, ‘Diamonds on the Road – Live 2023’
![Jason Isbell's "Red Eye" 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dREPjcUFHF42PmCHabUtvK-320-80.jpg)
“He's Got a Guitar Collection That Would Make Any Guitar Nerd Jealous”: Watch Gibson TV’s New Episode of ‘The Collection’ Featuring Jason Isbell
By Rod Brakes published
Video Feast your eyes on this Holy Grail collection of vintage guitars that includes a ’59 Les Paul Standard and ’61 Les Paul SG
![Former lead singer of "The Band," Robbie Robertson, poses in his recording studio during a 1987 Santa Monica, California photo session to promote his self-titled debut solo album.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aR7xCgqQdNE8KBpi3oxVnY-320-80.jpg)
Bob Dylan and the Band Guitarist Robbie Robertson Passes Away Aged 80
By Rod Brakes published
Best known for his work with Dylan and the Band, the famed soundtrack producer/composer also created a wonderful musical legacy as a solo artist
![Van Halen 'The Collection II' and still from Van Halen's "Humans Being" video showing Eddie Van Halen playing a signature EVH elecric guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/urjeatcRY5eUNF7NG3NAhJ-320-80.jpg)
Van Halen's ‘The Collection II’ Box Set Announced. Watch the Newly Remastered “Humans Being” Video Here
By Rod Brakes published
Video The long-awaited sequel to Van Halen’s David Lee Roth era ‘The Collection’ contains four number-one Sammy Hagar era albums and a disc of rarities
![Steve Miller performs live](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oJwE7AV8RnfgSswipby4Bo-320-80.jpg)
“First Takes Are Always Better Than Perfect Takes”: Steve Miller Celebrates 50 Years of ‘The Joker’ With Epic New Release, ‘J50: The Evolution of The Joker,’ and Shares This Advice on Creating a Global Smash
By Rod Brakes published
Diving deep into Steve Miller's creative process with previously unreleased tracks and artist commentary, this expansive set is a virtual case study on how to make a hit record
![Boss AC-22LX Acoustic Amplifier](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RQZgM2fZdifPQjqRb9SeoA-320-80.jpg)
Boss Brings Authentic Studio Microphone Sound to Acoustic Amplification for the First Time With Its AC-22LX Acoustic Amplifier
By Rod Brakes published
Boss’s new Air Feel technology breathes life into dry pickup signals
![Sunn amps Jimi Hendrix ad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TfT5KaxZK4d2FqUwRRhUjT-320-80.jpg)
“The World Needs It Back”: Sunn Amps Make Historic Return
By Rod Brakes published
New amps and accessories are due to hit the shelves later this year
![Gibson Certified Vintage lineup July 27 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/grPQknLzah8fB4Cc8NX9z3-320-80.jpg)
Gibson’s Latest Batch of Certified Vintage Guitars Includes Some Total Classics (and One of the Weirdest Guitars Ever Made!)
By Rod Brakes published
A “mint” 1960 Les Paul Standard ‘Burst dubbed Sunny by Kirk Hammett remains unsold
![Marshall Studio JTM](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUAVwvGhymR4oJR7SZ85wH-320-80.jpg)
“The Amp That Started It All Returns”: Marshall Announces New JTM 45-Inspired Studio JTM Designs
By Rod Brakes published
The historic British firm honors its founder Jim Marshall’s 100th birthday and debut design
![Prince during Prince "Musicology" Tour Hits United States - "Schools In" at El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, California, United States.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EpVrqLGVLcG5V8cYFKS9nY-320-80.jpg)
“A Lot of Cats Don’t Work on Their Rhythm Enough…The Next Thing Is Pitch”: Prince Shares Some Guitar-Playing Wisdom in This Awesome Interview From the ‘GP’ Vault
By Art Thompson published
“When you get these things down, then you can learn how to solo,” said the purple one
![Grateful Dead 'Wake of the Flood' album artwork](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9JiAp5Qimju2UPydGSXrn3-320-80.jpg)
Grateful Dead Unveil Remastered and Expanded 50th Anniversary Editions of ‘Wake of the Flood’ Featuring Previously Unreleased Material
By Rod Brakes published
Listen to Jerry Garcia’s "Eyes of the World" demo from the Grateful Dead vault here
![Steve Miller Band 'Fly Like an Eagle' album artwork](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7wRjmHWGFt569AvneXbrkn-320-80.jpg)
“I Didn’t Want That Kind of Dead Studio Perfection”: Steve Miller Reveals the Recording Secrets Behind His '70s Smash "Fly Like an Eagle"
By Art Thompson published
Born out of lengthy jams, this psychedelic funk tune was recorded and mixed several times over
![Guild GSR D-55 70th Anniversary Limited](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2vjuZFMFEhU8fJBajX34M5-320-80.jpg)
Guild Announces Top-of-the-Line D-55 70th Anniversary Acoustic Guitar
By Rod Brakes published
This limited-edition flat-top appears as a Guild Special Run overseen by Master Luthier Chuck Sanzone
![Brian Setzer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dAWLJ9ewnYRZK4KaVWGvaX-320-80.jpg)
“The Sound Is Monstrous, Dirty and Twangy”: Watch Brian Setzer’s “Girl on the Billboard” Music Video Featuring the Quintessential Rock and Roll Tone of a 1957 Gretsch Jet Fire Bird
By Rod Brakes published
Video This tremolo-drenched single appears ahead of Setzer's new solo album, ‘The Devil Always Collects’
![John Petrucci](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YtTkkSkrEBPfnS653gEayL-320-80.jpg)
John Petrucci Launches New Company, Tonemission, With the 'John Petrucci IR Collection: Vol. 1' Speaker Impulse Responses
By Rod Brakes published
The prog metal master shares tone secrets from his ‘Terminal Velocity,’ ‘A View from the Top of the World’ and ‘Liquid Tension Experiment 3’ records
![Tommy Emmanuel playing an acoustic guitar](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bxeVpBd8Q6ApCuUX3TNCdk-320-80.jpg)
Watch "The Greatest One-Man Music Show in the World" Tommy Emmanuel And "Genius" Richard Smith’s Insane “Son of a Gun” Acoustic Guitar Duet
By Rod Brakes published
Video This jaw-dropping studio rendition showcases the superlative talent of two of the world’s greatest acoustic pickers
![Boss ME-90 Guitar Multiple Effects](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Azj34hiaEjw9oVHCzCnZe5-320-80.jpg)
Boss Unveils Its “Most Advanced ME Model to Date” – the ME-90 Guitar Multiple Effects
By Rod Brakes published
This compact, lightweight unit features premium Boss amps and effects derived from the flagship GT-1000 Guitar Effects Processor
![Cesar Gueikian plays with Better Than Ezra during day one of the 2022 Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival on September 24, 2022 in Franklin, Tennessee.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AnhjJ8Gdo9QgGTwEvTuiTH-320-80.jpg)
Slash Called Him the “Most Passionate Gibson Guitar Enthusiast” While Tony Iommi Said He Transformed the Company: Cesar Gueikian Is Appointed President and CEO of Gibson Brands
By Rod Brakes published
Self-confessed “guitar nerd” Cesar Gueikian says he is “honored and humbled to take on the permanent CEO role”
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