Latest articles by Rod Brakes
The history of the stereo guitar that promised “new magic to your music”
We decipher some of the mumbo jumbo surrounding Gibson’s most popular flat-top acoustics
The story of the classic signature model that offered a new twist on Gibson's semi-hollow designs
From battered Martins and vintage Gibsons to pre-CBS Fender Jazzmasters we talk to the Philadelphian indie-rocker about all the guitars he’s loved and lost
Chet Atkins will always be remembered for his golden-era Gretsch guitars, but can you remember which one’s which?
Historic Hardware: we get up close and personal with some of the most coveted guitars to come out of the Custom Shop
Ben Fletcher of Fletcher Pickups goes in deep with a mid-'50s Gibson classic
Futuristic in both design and success, the Flying V was ahead of its time
The custodian of the Greeny Les Paul recounts his recent meeting with Peter to reunite him with the guitar after decades apart
The 'bird that never quite flew was a radical new angle for '60s Gibson design
Historic hardware: Martin & Co’s museum and archives specialist Jason Ahner guides us through some pivotal 19th and 20th-century Martins
From Hendrix to Gilmour, this iconic fuzz pedal has been delivering for decades
The former lead guitarist and musical director for Beyoncé on creativity, playing with Pink, performance tips, and finding her life-shred balance
Historic Hardware: Tele expert Richard diZerega walks us through the Blackguard era of Esquires, Broadcasters, Nocasters and Telecasters
From clean-cut surf to punk, the Jag is an offset with a lot of history. Guitar historian Martin Kelly unpacks its story
The story behind the thinline hollowbodies that helped revolutionize Gibson design
With eight designs, four models and two body shapes, Gibson’s Firebirds were anything but one and the same...
The history of Epiphone’s mini-’bucker-loaded thinline, which was the answer to Gibson’s PAF-toting ES-335
The prog icon discusses his diverse career, love of vintage guitars and why Yes sought to decommercialize their music
That Pedal Show co-host Mick Taylor, Analog Man’s Mike Piera, and Tube Screamer circuit designer Susumu Tamura on one of the world's most popular and influential overdrive pedals
From the blonde to Candy Apple Red Metallic, the history of vintage Fender finishes
A new sound springs to life and makes a splash in the surf-rock scene - this is the story of Fender's iconic reverb unit
Adrian Thorpe and Dan Coggins' latest fuzz box will make Lovetone fans stand to attention with Big Cheese-y grins
