Simon Bradley
Simon Bradley is a guitar and especially rock guitar expert who worked for Guitarist magazine and has in the past contributed to world-leading music and guitar titles like MusicRadar (obviously), Guitarist, Guitar World and Louder. What he doesn't know about Brian May's playing and, especially, the Red Special, isn't worth knowing.
Latest articles by Simon Bradley
![The model that the Wild Thing is based on was never intended for production.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/91433b0a187d1a3df24ef778e84ea309-320-80.jpg)
Danelectro Wild Thing
By Simon Bradley last updated
An outlandish vibe matched with a seriously good selection of tones
!['Understated? Moi?' Justin rocking da fug out, circa 2003](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/681c38c5e453dabe2039ee7d18bdd710-320-80.jpg)
The Darkness To Triumph At Download?
By Simon Bradley last updated
One of our favourite bands makes a welcome return at Download 2011. Here's some highlights from our very first interview with Dan and Justin, taken from April 2003's issue.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5dbdaef42ecb173bdc3eeab807b01184-320-80.jpg)
Brian Setzer UK Dates
By Simon Bradley last updated
Brian Setzer brings his Rockabilly Riot to the UK and Ireland this July.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/21ef12e4eb8c1208b6a37b531ebca0f8-320-80.jpg)
Friday's Guitar Hero: Steve Cropper
By Simon Bradley last updated
Our regular weekly feature in which we share our pick of the guitar wonders YouTube has to offer. This week: one of the most influential guitarists of all time.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5b154796c32cb012b9907664d45965b0-320-80.jpg)
Friday's Guitar Hero: Reb Beach
By Simon Bradley last updated
Our regular weekly feature in which we share our pick of the guitar wonders YouTube has to offer. This week: one half of Whitesnake's shredding guitar duo.
![At just £727, the So-Cal is an utter bargain.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/48de4323bc462dc9cf591638093b9c4f-320-80.jpg)
Charvel Pro Mod So-Cal Style 1
By Simon Bradley last updated
The ultimate rocker gets updated
![A new Wild Card model will go on sale at the start of each quarter.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f71b877a70a5a687c82206c4cff3970c-320-80.jpg)
Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card
By Simon Bradley last updated
Limited-edition version of the ultimate hot-rod rock machine
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/549142f0b8fd003f04729df09465030d-320-80.jpg)
Friday's Guitar Hero: Bernie Marsden
By Simon Bradley last updated
Our regular weekly feature in which we share our pick of the guitar wonders YouTube has to offer.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/deb6b790af6fcc29c7353b709a990526-320-80.jpg)
Imelda May Mayhem track-by-track
By Simon Bradley last updated
Track-by-track guide: Guitarist Darrel Higham explains the gear and inspirations behind each and every song from Imelda May's new album, Mayhem.
![The 6534+ takes the same concept as the metal-favourite the 6505+, adds some EL34s and gives it a more Marshall-like flavour.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/427a2c78d2bac94767dd42968ecf9d66-320-80.jpg)
Peavey 6534+
By Simon Bradley last updated
The metal-tastic 6505+, tweaked and powered by EL34 output valves
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/238e1afa743994653696a9d78eb2275e-320-80.jpg)
Friday's Guitar Hero: Vinnie Vincent
By Simon Bradley last updated
Our regular weekly feature in which we share our pick of the guitar wonders YouTube has to offer.
![Brian May, 2010](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bca50c3b687e24ace46b73a42f32db0f-320-80.jpg)
Brian May's other equipment
By Simon Bradley last updated
It's not all about the Red Special...
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6684ee0b87952a9130e51d03fb4af7f0-320-80.jpg)
Exclusive: Paul Gilbert Plays Van Halen's Eruption
By Simon Bradley last updated
The greatest living rock guitarist recreates the most influential piece of rock music of the last 30 odd years for our December issue
![Despite its small size, the Neo Mistress is a versatile flanger.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3eb74bc6b54b4aa874009505c4b4f095-320-80.jpg)
Electro-Harmonix Neo Mistress
By Simon Bradley last updated
The smallest Mistress yet!
![The DC-1 ST's double-cut design is something of a departure for Charvel.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4efd572200bec1ce29d97a4829be98ff-320-80.jpg)
Charvel Desolation DC-1 ST
By Simon Bradley last updated
Charvel rips up its rulebook with this lightweight, double-cutaway Desolation – but is it any good?
![The DS-1 FR looks superficially Gibson, but is a thoroughly modern beast.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f389d6380f3a3b29aeac617bb8c3063e-320-80.jpg)
Charvel Desolation DS-1 FR
By Simon Bradley last updated
It's a sharp left-turn for Charvel with this new single-cutaway Desolation model
![The SK-1 certainly ain't your daddy's Charvel...](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/1cfbb1ebda8093015924fe64a281f39d-320-80.jpg)
Charvel Desolation Skatecaster SK-1 FR
By Simon Bradley last updated
Drawing on the 1991 Surfcaster, this is one of several new Charvel designs bucking the manufacturer's traditions
![The DT is the latest evolution of the Whammy, first released 20 years ago.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2b3c73b99ed36f5940f9343c99e40818-320-80.jpg)
DigiTech Whammy DT
By Simon Bradley last updated
The newest incarnation of the classic treadle-operated pitch shifter, which boasts a number of new functions
![As with the other recent hi-tech Gibsons, the Firebird X is a limited edition.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/be695520a77b28f0ff3b745184df1127-320-80.jpg)
Gibson Firebird X
By Simon Bradley last updated
The much talked about self-tuning, effects-laden super-guitar is finally in our hands...
![The SnakeByte is Hetfield's latest signature model for ESP.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/91b32a29e2cb78d2b83f1aceedb8722d-320-80.jpg)
ESP LTD SnakeByte
By Simon Bradley last updated
This James Hetfield signature model reaffirms his love of ferocious tones
![You'll be hard-pressed to spot where costs have been cut with the Premium range.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fe9853a6c1139b3b489a84ac10a2ac32-320-80.jpg)
Ibanez RG870Z
By Simon Bradley last updated
We investigate the most affordable model in Ibanez's new Premium range
![The RG3250MZ has a delightfully retro vibe.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f00ef290843bc4fcbc654c1c316855d8-320-80.jpg)
Ibanez RG3250MZ
By Simon Bradley last updated
A new six-string that evokes the heyday of '80s rock guitar
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