Rod Brakes

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 (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.

Latest articles by Rod Brakes

Iron Butterfly in 1969 (l-r): singer/keyboardist Doug Ingle, drummer Ron Bushy, bassist Lee Dorman and guitarist Erik Brann

Watch Iron Butterfly’s Kaleidoscopic “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” Performance Film

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti published

Video All 17 minutes of this acid rock epic in full lysergic glory

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LD Systems Dave G4X Series

Thinking of Upping Your Gig Game in 2023? Check Out LD Systems’ New Dave G4X Series

By Rod Brakes published

Four models of compact 2.1 powered PA systems offer exceptional sound quality for performers

CopperSound Telegraph V2

CopperSound Launches the Telegraph V2 Autostutter & Killswitch – a Unique Effect for Stage and Studio

By Rod Brakes published

This upgraded unit offers exciting new performance functions

Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton

Watch Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton’s Surly "Brand New Cadillac" Music Video

By Rod Brakes published

Video The duo launch new collaborative project with a mean cover of this late ‘50s rockabilly classic

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Moby Grape (Alexander "Skip" Spence) perform on stage at the Monterey Pop Festival on June 17 1967 in Monterey, California.

Watch Moby Grape’s Historic “Hey Grandma” Performance at the Monterey Pop Festival

By Art Thompson, Rod Brakes published

Video Born in San Francisco in 1967, this signature song is a quintessential Summer of Love anthem

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John Scofield

Watch the Trailer for Unmissable John Scofield Documentary, ‘Inside Scofield’

By Rod Brakes published

Video Filmmaker Joerg Steineck gets inside the mind of the multiple Grammy-winning “road dog” jazz guitar master

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Fender VI headstock

Watch Glen Campbell Take a Rare Fender VI Solo in this 1968 TV Appearance

By Rod Brakes published

Video His Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted hit "Wichita Lineman" features the textbook Fender VI sound

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Cyber Monday guitar deals

Cyber Monday Guitar Deals 2022: Epic Guitar Savings For Every Budget That Are Still Live

By Rod Brakes published

Looking for a fantastic deal on guitar gear? These are the hand-picked offers to check out

Gretsch White Falcon

Vintage, Rare and Cool as F**k: This Gorgeous Cast of 1950s Gretsch White Falcons is a Collector’s Dream

By Rod Brakes published

Gretsch author Ed Ball explains why the classic single-cutaway White Falcon remains a pinnacle of electric guitar design

Jimi Hendrix

Watch Jimi Hendrix Erupt During a Fiery Performance of “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” on the Edge of a Volcano

By Rod Brakes published

Video We return to this red-hot rendition from Maui in celebration of Hendrix’s 80th birthday

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Jimi Hendrix at 80

“If You Stick With It, You’re Going to Be Rewarded”: Jimi Hendrix Talks Guitar Technique, Songwriting, Making Records, Playing Live and More in This Essential ‘GP’ Interview From 1968

By Rod Brakes, Guitar Player Staff published

Read one of the most insightful interviews from the heyday of Hendrix’s career as we celebrate the great man’s 80th birthday

Brian May, 2022

“So Much of It Is in the Fingers, but the Guitar Is Still Your Closest Thing”: Brian May Talks Tone, Building the Red Special, Early Queen and More in This Unmissable Podcast

By Rod Brakes published

Video If you’re a guitar player and you like Queen then you’ll love ‘The Red Special Guitar Podcast’

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The Rolling Stones "2000 Light Years From Home" music video still

Don’t Miss the Rolling Stones’ New “2000 Light Years From Home” Music Video

By Rod Brakes published

Video Originally shot using 35mm film, this 1967 “promotional” movie has now been restored in 4K resolution

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Robert Jon & the Wreck

Watch Southern Rockers Robert Jon & the Wreck’s Explosive “Pain No More” Music Video

By Rod Brakes published

Video Co-written by Charlie Starr, the band's latest track was produced by Nashville’s multiple Grammy-winning Dave Cobb

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Troy Redfern

Watch Slide Guitar Extraordinaire Troy Redfern’s Fiery “Mercy” Music Video

By Rod Brakes published

Video The new single is the latest from the critically acclaimed blues-rock guitarist’s album ‘The Wings of Salvation'

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Jeff Beck performs Link Wray & His Ray Men's "Rumble" using a Fender American Vintage II 1957 Stratocaster in Sea Foam Green finish

Watch Jeff Beck Perform “Rumble” in New Fender Video

By Rod Brakes published

Video The guitarist plays the Link Wray classic and recalls hearing it for the first time

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Andy Fairweather Low supports Eric Clapton at the Cardiff C.I.A on May 14, 2011 in Cardiff, Wales.

“When I Hear This Track, I Hear Rockfield”: Listen to Andy Fairweather Low’s Vibey New Release, "Somebody Wants My Soul"

By Rod Brakes published

This brand-new track appears ahead of the legendary guitarist’s forthcoming album, ‘Flang Dang’

Boss FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch

Ever Find Yourself Needing an Extra Pair of Hands? Check out the New Boss FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch

By Rod Brakes published

This ingenious, lightweight Bluetooth footswitch has countless applications

Eventide H90 Harmonizer

Eventide Goes “Beyond the Effects Horizon” With the New H90 Harmonizer

By Rod Brakes published

This flagship stompbox features 62 studio-quality effects and comprehensive I/O options

Maestro pedals

Maestro Knocks Out Another Batch of Classic Analog Stompboxes

By Rod Brakes published

This latest bunch of five includes a phaser, tremolo, booster, compressor and envelope filter

Jimmy Page, 1966

Here's Why Jimmy Page Is a Missing Link Between ‘60s Psychedelia and ‘70s Hard Rock

By Rod Brakes, Ian Fortnam, Christopher Scapelliti published

The guitarist was on the path of the exotic long before he bridged the gap with Led Zeppelin

Pink Floyd in the late '60s. Clockwise from top-left: Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Rick Wright and Roger Waters,

“It Was a Huge Loss. And I Did Love Him”: Roger Waters Tells the Tragic Tale of Syd Barrett

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti published

Video The Pink Floyd co-founder recounts the inside story of one of psychedelic rock’s greatest in this unmissable ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ clip

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Fender Stratocaster

An Essential Guide to Guitar EQ Pedals

By Rod Brakes published

All you need to know about the basics of equalizer stompboxes

The Stone Roses pictured in 1989 when they released their self-titled debut album

Watch the Stone Roses’ Momentous “I Wanna Be Adored” Comeback Performance

By Rod Brakes, Mark McStea published

Video Reunited, the band are greeted on stage with rapturous applause

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Boss SL-2 Slicer

The New Boss SL-2 Slicer Pedal Is in a Class of Its Own

By Rod Brakes published

The “instant groove and melody maker” cult classic returns in Boss’s iconic compact pedal format

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