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
![CME Exclusive Gibson Les Paul Standards](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/krqUBzX2hzt7nHahzxLZg-320-80.jpg)
Watch These Awesome CME Exclusive Gibson Les Paul Standard Models in Action
By Rod Brakes published
Video See and hear these unique ‘Bursts in an instrumental rendition of Velvet Revolver’s “Slither”
![Jeff Cotton](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ExRXrn6LsipsRXFVR6F7rk-320-80.jpg)
Watch Captain Beefheart Guitarist Jeff Cotton’s New “Does It Work for You?” Music Video
By Rod Brakes published
Video “Magic Band fans will like the song,” says the guitarist fka Antennae Jimmy Semens.
![Chris Shiflett "Long, Long Day" single artwork](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Muo9yS2HFcbb9sPSkPEaS8-320-80.jpg)
Watch Foo Fighters Guitarist Chris Shiflett’s New "Long, Long Year" Video
By Rod Brakes published
Video The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s latest single straddles Los Angeles and Nashville.
![Yes 'Fragile' album artwork](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8ZXWokTi4Sqd5uFkXLpgJ8-320-80.jpg)
Steve Howe Reveals the Studio Secrets of the Yes Classic “Roundabout”
By Rod Brakes published
Video Our latest cover star explains why experimentation was key to the success of the standout ‘Fragile’ album track.
![Tedeschi Trucks Band](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uMaEF75Ud8ZYqvSm3Ktg5g-320-80.jpg)
Watch Tedeschi Trucks Band’s Epic ‘I Am the Moon: III. The Fall’ Film
By Rod Brakes published
Video The third instalment of the band’s four-part album/film series is now available to watch on YouTube.
![TikTok](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oHCShuYMHTBvwz2TqttFRZ-320-80.jpg)
Are You Missing Out On TikTok? Learn How the Platform is Currently Influencing the Guitar World
By Rod Brakes published
Video Watch Fender's #GuitarTok Effect panel discussion and discover more about the changing face of today’s music industry.
![Joan Armatrading](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LBLbYBhMSmf4TFPfi2c4rF-320-80.jpg)
Watch Joan Armatrading’s Beautifully Dark "Woncha Come on Home" Performance
By Rod Brakes published
Video Walking her own path from day one, the British singer-songwriter’s matchless style has inspired generations of guitar players.
![Jefferson Airplane enter Cumberland Caverns' Volcano Room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v8s9CMKk8tP7HQReiDzoAP-320-80.jpg)
Watch Jefferson Starship’s Hilarious Voyage into the Far-Out Splendor of an Underground Concert Hall
By Rod Brakes published
Video The iconic band descends 333 feet into Tennessee’s world-famous Volcano Room.
![EHX collector Daniel Danger and JHS Pedals founder Josh Scott](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7vpEpTp64zBNXYTnupST4B-320-80.jpg)
Listen to the Weirdest and Most Wonderful Effects From the World’s Largest Electro-Harmonix Collection
By Rod Brakes published
Video JHS's Josh Scott visits fellow pedalhead Daniel Danger's "private Batcave lair of madness.”
![Jamie West-Oram's pedalboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TvbE3NTJoaVpK2YqmHhmgT-320-80.jpg)
Could This Be the Coolest Stereo Chorus Tone Ever? Watch Jamie West-Oram Demonstrate His “One Thing Leads to Another” Guitar Chops
By Rod Brakes, Jude Gold published
Video The Fixx guitarist reveals the studio secrets of the band’s 1983 top ten hit on GP's ‘No Guitar Is Safe’ podcast.
![Jelly Ellington](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fhHpXorkHjbobhNBnEfFzc-320-80.jpg)
Watch Texas Blues Rocker Jelly Ellington’s Epic “Stand Back” Music Video
By Rod Brakes published
Video The latest release from the Austin guitarist’s sophomore album, ‘Not All Who Wander Are Lost.’
![Woody Guthrie](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ectFjQbsqQXyRRM6GaqDZM-320-80.jpg)
Watch Rare Performance Footage of Folk Legend Woody Guthrie
By Rod Brakes published
Video Pete Seeger introduces "one of the greatest ballad makers” in this 1964 BBC clip.
![Blondie](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/viwtKkavSRpfmvCZ6ASPuE-320-80.jpg)
Blondie Unearth Rare "I Love You Honey, Give Me a Beer" Demo Recording
By Rod Brakes published
Video Listen to the original track that became the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers' 1980 classic "Go Through It”
![American musician and inventor Les Paul (1915 - 2009) and his wife Mary Ford (1924 - 1977) demonstrate two of Paul's new electric guitars during a press reception at the Savoy Hotel in London, 9th September 1952.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L2EbdUyKaY827hWYZUPJrL-320-80.jpg)
Watch Guitar Legends Les Paul and Mary Ford Demonstrate Their Pioneering Multitrack Recording Techniques
By Rod Brakes published
Video This entertaining TV clip from 1953 proves the duo were way ahead of the game.
![Erja Lyytinen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7sydYZGhubtrURs7YaGRhP-320-80.jpg)
Watch Blues-Rock Sensation Erja Lyytinen’s New “Bad Seed” Music Video
By Rod Brakes published
Video Finland’s finest slide guitarist drops lead single from new album, ‘Waiting For the Daylight’