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, Guitar Player and MusicRadar in addition to specialist music books, blogs and social media. He is also a lifelong musician.

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Latest articles by Rod Brakes

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

By Rod Brakes published 23 November 22

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

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“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 18 November 22

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

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

By Rod Brakes published 17 November 22

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

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

By Rod Brakes published 17 November 22

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

By Rod Brakes published 17 November 22

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 11 November 22

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 11 November 22

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

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

By Rod Brakes published 10 November 22

This ingenious, lightweight Bluetooth footswitch has countless applications

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

By Rod Brakes published 9 November 22

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

Maestro Knocks Out Another Batch of Classic Analog Stompboxes

By Rod Brakes published 9 November 22

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

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

By Rod Brakes, Ian Fortnam, Christopher Scapelliti published 8 November 22

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 8 November 22

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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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 3 November 22

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

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

By Rod Brakes published 2 November 22

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

“I Get Down on My Knees and Pray Before Every Show”: Watch My Morning Jacket’s Otherworldly “Circuital” Performance

By Rod Brakes, Christopher Scapelliti published 2 November 22

Video Gibson signature artist Jim James and Co deliver a stirring rendition of this epic track live at Red Rocks

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Legendary Musicians the Immediate Family Release New Single, "The Toughest Girl in Town" - Listen Here

By Rod Brakes last updated 28 October 22

Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell’s rendition of the Sparks song is the first single from the band's forthcoming full-length album

LAVA MUSIC Unveils Ultralightweight BLUE LAVA Original Travel Guitar

By Rod Brakes published 25 October 22

This 3.75lb high-tech instrument is weather- and splash-resistant

Mdou Moctar Performs at The Black Cat in Washington, D.C., 2018

Listen to “Saharan Hendrix” Mdou Moctar’s Mesmerizing "Ibitilan" Recording

By Rod Brakes published 21 October 22

Video The Tuareg guitarist’s raw live track is taken from ‘Vol. 2’ of the two-part ‘Niger EP' series

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“Don’t Do This at Home”: Watch ThorpyFX Find out if Their Pedals Really Are Bombproof in This Explosive Video

By Rod Brakes published 20 October 22

Video Can these sturdy British-made effects stand up to a real-life explosion?

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“This Is the Quintessential L-Series Stratocaster”: Johnny A. Reveals the Secrets Behind His Unique Signature Model

By Rod Brakes published 19 October 22

A Master Built Strat for a masterful player, here’s how a connoisseur of tone puts a signature guitar together with Fender’s esteemed Custom Shop

Positive Grid’s New OMNYSS Amp and Effects Collection Offers “Massive Tonal Exploration”

By Rod Brakes published 19 October 22

Compatible with Mac, PC and iOS, this new modeling software can be used with any major DAW to create epic, cinematic soundscapes

Five of the Most Radical Electric Guitar Designs You've Ever Seen

By Rod Brakes published 18 October 22

Groundbreaking artist Nikita Gale reimagines the solidbody form at Frieze London’s pioneering 63/22 exhibition

The Most Intricately Crafted Telecaster in Fender History

By Rod Brakes published 14 October 22

This experimental Tele features ornate body laminations and a fretted rosewood neck

CopperSound Drops the Gravity Bomb V2 Booster and Renegade Fuzz

By Rod Brakes published 14 October 22

These new lightweight pedals kick out some heavy sounds

Fender American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster

Fender Revisits Their Groundbreaking Solidbody Design With the American Vintage II 1951 Telecaster

By Rod Brakes last updated 14 October 22

This much-welcome reissue has all the essential Blackguard ingredients

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“It’s the sound of the Stones: a five-string with a six-string on top. Guitars are amazing things – you can make an orchestra out of them…” Keith Richards on life without Charlie, The Beatles and the Stones, and new album Hackney Diamonds
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"You son of a b****, you're playing a Fender?" Watch Keith Richards and Les Paul jam in rare footage from 2000
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These 40 huge Black Friday and Cyber Monday guitar gear deals are still live – but they won’t be around much longer
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Build your own Fender Stratocaster with this fun Cyber Monday Lego deal
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The most affordable way to transform your sound: Get a Cyber Monday effects pedal deal before it's too late