Darran Charles
Latest articles by Darran Charles
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ad2e45948d8619541482474588ab7f64-320-80.jpg)
PRS SE Mark Holcomb
By Darran Charles last updated
Mark Holcomb is one-third of Periphery's guitar triumvirate and a self-confessed PRS obsessive.
![The hot-rodded S-type has been with us for many a decade - but make no mistake, this is a thoroughbred](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f170b60db61d8b78772ab0a28544d5f2-320-80.jpg)
Suhr Classic Pro
By Darran Charles published
With five different body styles on offer, the Pro series now represents a healthy proportion of the USA company's output
![Active EMGs combined with the BW-1's semi-hollow construction provide surprisingly rich and varied tones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/52740f1814dfc9cc96f7fe8b7dd01afd-320-80.jpg)
LTD BW-1FM/ET
By Darran Charles last updated
The Dillinger Escape Plan guitarist's signature guitar finally sees the light of day
![Black chrome hardware gives the guitar a boutique appearance without betraying its metal roots](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3736f121fcb2639122db807289ef8b30-320-80.jpg)
Caparison C2 ANG-QE
By Darran Charles last updated
In the past few years, Caparison has emerged as a brand synonymous with metal and shred players
![The Seymour Duncan TB-6 provides all the grit necessary for even the most brutal of metal sounds](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a78e5a11f0d46e813b4a012162eb6ac2-320-80.jpg)
Washburn Parallaxe PXS29FRTBBM
By Darran Charles last updated
A 29-fret metal monster guitar
![There's only one pickup, but fortunately it's the versatile Seymour Duncan JB](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c64f3adc34bf7245ea5247c441a42a6b-320-80.jpg)
Kramer Baretta Vintage
By Darran Charles last updated
Those of you under 30 probably won't remember Kramer in its heyday
![Umphrey's McGee live onstage in London](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e5811e9ac8e7d7d698dafda8bfa5787f-320-80.jpg)
Umphrey's McGee guitarists talk Similar Skin, Frank Zappa, live improvisation
By Darran Charles last updated
In-depth interview with Jake Cinninger and Brendan Bayliss
![Vigier refuses to toe the line with fashion or convention: a '59 LP replica this isn't](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f64e16ecce19f3d11c9ba2f8c835edf8-320-80.jpg)
Vigier GV Rock
By Darran Charles last updated
Vigier's take on the single-cut design was introduced to the world back in 2009 in the form of the GV Wood
![You may be taken aback by the space-age appearance - but there's method behind the madness](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cd8fa8f79db2162d7ef94fc62bc136b9-320-80.jpg)
Strandberg Boden 8
By Darran Charles last updated
Mind-expanding eight-string electric
![The Super Swede's influence is obvious, so as you'd expect, it has a mahogany body, maple top and set mahogany neck](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/98bd1f302be8985e6f0230b12bba8fe7-320-80.jpg)
Hagstrom Super Swede EMG
By Darran Charles last updated
Over 40 years since its introduction, the Super Swede is still the flagship model of Swedish (of course) maker Hagstrom
![The hearts and flowers inlays are modelled on those found on Gibson's Les Paul Artisan](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/65f04e3f575237b4a5e89343aa83af28-320-80.jpg)
Epiphone Ltd Ed Lee Malia Les Paul Custom
By Darran Charles last updated
The latest addition to Epiphone's growing list of signature models is a Les Paul created for Lee Malia, guitarist with metalcore heavyweights Bring Me The Horizon
![With its 80s double-cut shred appearance, the M3 MJR is a faithful nod to the Caparison team's past](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/21ae8d8df5bb1568948fecdf62b19f49-320-80.jpg)
Caparison Dellinger-M3 MJR
By Darran Charles last updated
Caparison Guitars was formed almost 20 years ago by former members of the Japanese division of Charvel/Jackson and it's remained true to that heritage
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/edc03d9a1dad9dd792d3c1504b0da85e-320-80.jpg)
Vintage V6M24
By Darran Charles last updated
By paying homage to classic designs at affordable price tags, Vintage has earned a decent reputation.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/998575ef03dfb167f507532581e47b71-320-80.jpg)
JST Toneforge Menace
By Darran Charles last updated
A plug-in for the metal connoisseur
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e207f00f081059b9e8ee9e9ff2af7974-320-80.jpg)
Charvel USA Custom Shop RTM San Dimas 1H
By Darran Charles last updated
Although the Charvel brand has been around since the early 1970s, a newer generation of guitarists may have only recently met its acquaintance via the newly released Guthrie Govan signature model.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cbf5eac4329bd1061280372e90152a0e-320-80.jpg)
Washburn PX-Solar160
By Darran Charles last updated
This latest addition to the Parallaxe range is designed in conjunction with YouTube guitar star and Feared and The Haunted axeman, Ola Englund.
![The finish may not appeal to the more discerning metal player, but the combination of body woods results in an inspiring tone,](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d79363e4559452afb923737a4e1374dc-320-80.jpg)
Schecter Banshee Elite-6
By Darran Charles last updated
Although Schecter has been in business for over 30 years, producing models diverse enough as to attract the likes of Pete Townshend and Mark Knopfler, today, it's synonymous with rock and metal
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/16d4d4ee2c5cfddb47d821a33820f689-320-80.jpg)
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-7
By Darran Charles last updated
The KM-7 is the signature model of prog- metal player Keith Merrow who, although a solo artist in his own right, is perhaps best known as a guitar product demonstrator.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2cf951b7f7c7459807380884c98abda8-320-80.jpg)
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid Tempest
By Darran Charles last updated
Although we've covered and reviewed some examples of its high-end USA custom shop models in the last few months, Schecter is still best known as a manufacturer of rock and metal guitars.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7773c9e8c83df21b6b8d7b32206e39dc-320-80.jpg)
Caparison Dellinger Prominence
By Darran Charles last updated
Since it acquired the brand in 2011, the UK-based Caparison Guitar Company has been responsible for focusing the aim in a distinctly mainstream direction.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.