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

Watch Loretta Lynn’s Iconic “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performances on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’
By Rod Brakes published
Video These early ‘70s renditions capture the "First Lady of Country Music" during her hitmaking prime

Watch Finland Blues-Rock Sensation Erja Lyytinen’s “Waiting for the Daylight” Music Video
By Rod Brakes published
Video The Black Sabbath-infused title track appears today upon the release of her new album

Watch GP Reader Bill Hall’s Stunning Solo Acoustic Performance of Pink Floyd’s “The Great Gig in the Sky”
By Rod Brakes published
Video This incredible rendition of 'The Dark Side of the Moon' classic using a Breedlove Pursuit showcases some impressive improv

Watch Bluegrass Virtuoso Billy Strings’ “Long Journey Home” Music Video
By Rod Brakes published
Video "Not doing this record scared me," says the award-winning guitarist as he prepares for new father & son LP release, ‘Me/and/Dad’

Listen to The Beatles’ New Release: “Tomorrow Never Knows (Take 1)”
By Rod Brakes published
Video This rare track appears ahead of the newly mixed and expanded ‘Revolver’ Special Editions

“I’ve Got a Hole in My Finger”: Stevie Ray Vaughan on the Trials and Tribulations of Heavy Strings
By Rod Brakes, Joe Gore, Matt Resnicoff published
Video Read this revealing GP interview and watch guitar tech ninja René Martinez in action

Watch a Young Robert Fripp Putting a New King Crimson Lineup Through Its Paces with “Larks' Tongues in Aspic”
By Rod Brakes published
Video This live studio rendition for German TV show ‘Beat-Club’ is vintage prog rock at its finest

Marshall Records Artist Laurence Jones Explains How to Write a Stadium Rock Fist-Pumper
By Rod Brakes last updated
Video The British blues virtuoso breaks down his “Can't Keep from Loving You” single in this exclusive video

Jackson's New “Fast as F**k” American Series Soloist SL3 Is a Top Gun Shred Machine
By Rod Brakes published
Video Watch GP's exclusive videos featuring Anthrax’s Scott Ian, Black Dahlia Murder shredder Brandon Ellis, and Jackson/Charvel's Jon Romanowski

Watch Brian Setzer’s New Revved Up Music Video “Smash Up On Highway One”
By Rod Brakes last updated
VIDEO The Gretsch guitar guru keeps rockabilly rolling forward with this Dick Dale-inspired banger.

Watch a 21-Year-Old George Benson Ripping Up a Gibson Les Paul Standard in 1964
By Rod Brakes last updated
Video Here’s why the ‘Burst is far more than just a blues-rock machine.
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