Back Issues

After nearly 60 years of making music, a recent diagnosis has forced Peter Frampton to make this summer’s tour his final U.S. jaunt. We talk with him about it, his new album, and the Les Paul Custom made famous on Frampton Comes Alive!.

We also speak with guitarists Rick Witkowski and Bobby Hird, from Crack The Sky, as well as famed amp builder Jim Kelley. George Gruhn profiles the Gibson J-45 Maple Banner and Peter Kohman explains the Guild-Duane Eddy connection. We talk new music with Gary Hoey, Reese Wynans, Kirk Fletcher, Julian Lage, Watermelon Slim, J.D. Simo, and Charlie Apicella. Wolf Marshall breaks down three huge licks by Dick Dale, and we reflect on the vitality of Metallica’s Master of Puppets.

Need to change you sound? Check our Amplifier Spotlight. And of course we’ll let you know the latest VG Approved Gear and the best new music to grab, courtesy of our “Hit List.” It’s all in the July issue, available now!

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Paul Burlison was a rockabilly pioneer who inspired the Beatles, Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, and other superstars. Enjoy our look at his blackguard Tele! We also talk to Rick Vito about his latest album, which mixes blues, soul, and R&B in his unrivaled style, and Fantastic Negrito reveals the story behind his modern blues expressionism.

More new-music discussion happens with Los Straitjackets’ Eddie Angel, Molly Tuttle, Paul Richards, and Australian punk-rockers The Chats. We take a behind-the-scenes look at the new collection of songs by the late J.J. Cale and chat with guitar legends Bob Spalding and Bobby Ingano. Our reader-favorite instrument/amp profiles dig into the Cort Model X and Selmer Taurus 60.

“Pop ’N Hiss” revisits the classic country picking of Jimmy Bryant’s Country Cabin Jazz. We do our annual Dad’s Day photo tribute, then share our thoughts on the latest VG Approved Gear and best new music in the “Hit List.” It’s all in the August issue, available now!

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Aerosmith co-founder Joe Perry reflects on how he was drawn to the guitar as a child, being influenced by the Beatles, Cream, and Hendrix, and his latest work with The Hollywood Vampires. We also study Charlie Christian’s 1940 Gibson ES-250, and reveal the story of Raphael Ciani – the ghostly great-uncle of NYC builders. Turning south, we dig into the roots-rock guitar scene of West Texas, including a look at three special guitars built by Ted Newman Jones. Dave Hunter shows how to record bass at your place. We offer a pictorial on the Surf Guitar 101 Convention, then pay homage to tube-amp legend Aspen Pittman and guitarist Neal Casal.

No other mag talks new music like Vintage Guitar! This month, we rap with Scott Gorham, Michael Schenker, Dudley Taft, and Sunny War.

This month’s “Pop ’N Hiss” classic vinyl column features Iggy & the Stooges Raw Power, Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” breaks down three key licks in the Pearl Jam catalog, and our gear reviewers offer honest feedback on EarthQuaker’s Rainbow Machine Polyphonic Pitch Mesmerizer, the Electro-Harmonix Attack Decay Reverse Simulator, Xotic’s Super Sweet Booster, the D’Angelico Deluxe Bob Weir Bedford, Eastwood’s TB64, the Furch Red Master Choice, the de Lisle Quadralux Reverb, and Tagima’s Stella.

When it’s time to chill with great new music, start by reading our reviews of the latest from Paul McCartney, Marc Bonilla, Pat Travers, the Allman Brothers, Bad Company, CCR, Nat Turner Rebellion, Ronnie Earl, more!

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Gibson had its share of issues in the “Norlin era,” and one of its greatest curiosities was the Les Paul Spotlight Special, a limited run with fancy tops and top-shelf appointments. Today, it enjoys special appreciation among collectors. We talk with Steve Vai about how he modernized two key pieces of his work. Plus, we offer a posthumous chat with legendary studio bassist Max Bennett, and unearth the stories behind the Premier E-723 and Gallien-Krueger’s 200GT.

As always, we dig into great new guitar music and players who make it. This month, it’s Tom Keifer, Suzi Quatro, Greg Diamond, Nick Perri, Steuart Smith, Scott Henderson, John Lodge, Alberto Lombardi, and Joel Paterson. Wolf Marshall breaks down three key licks by Billy Rogers, “Pop ’N Hiss” re-examines Megadeth’s Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?.

Our gear reviewers tell you why they recommend the PureSalem Tom Cat, TWA’s MiniMorph, the Walrus Audio Kangra Filter Fuzz, Collings’ 290 Custom, Fat Jimmy Amps’ Fat Jimmy Jr., the Suhr Scott Henderson model, Boss’ SY-1 Synthesizer, and Yamaha’s FG5 Red Label.

You count on VG’s music reviewers to steer you to the best new stuff. This month, that includes the latest by Toronzo Cannon, Junior Watson, Joe Bonamassa, Black Star Riders, Mavis Staples, Pixies, Mike Stern/Jeff Lorber, Sturgill Simpson, and more!

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Singer/songwriter/world-class guitarist Steve Wariner was just inducted to the Nashville Musicians’ Hall of Fame – an honor that accompanies his four Grammys, CMAs, 30 Top 10 hits, and 14 #1 singles. Icing on the cake is a spankin’ new signature Gretsch 6120. We go in-depth with the superstar.

We also speak with electric-blueser Toronzo Cannon, who draws inspiration from his own (very real) world. Also talking vital new guitar music are Jim Peterik, Jan Akkerman, Joanna Connor, Pat Travers, G. Love, Vinnie Moore, Laura Cox, Jakko Jakszyk, and the Spellcasters. We then dig into monumental instruments in guitardom, ranging from Gibson’s first ES-350NT to two prototype Telecaster Thinlines and one of Randall Smith’s first Mesa-Boogie amps.

This month’s “Pop ’N Hiss” reflects on the greatness within the grooves of Steely Dan’s Royal Scam, Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” reminds us of the extraordinary skill of Tuck Andress, and our reviewers detail why anyone needing new gear (and who isn’t?) should check out the Foxrox Hot Silicon 2, Solo Dallas Schaffer Replica Storm, WingmanFx DangerZone, Caparison Dellinger Prominence, Fender Vintera ’50s Strat Modified, Prestige Troubadour RS, Ernie Ball Music Man Short-Scale StringRay, and the Kammerer Canis Major.

Needing fresh jams? We tell you about new music from Jimi Hendrix, Marty Stuart, Mike Zito, Slash, the Rolling Stones, Skip James, Jethro Tull, and more!

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An old soul, 23-year-old Marcus King has been a performer since age 11, and new album shows off his mature songwriting and vocals. It’s also bursting with splendid guitar playing and dirty blues riffs. We also speak with Aussie intro-guitar legend Martin Cilia, who plays stages worldwide with some impressive vintage guitars. We dig into new music with Jim Cregan, Yasi Hofer, Jonathan Kreisberg, Don Latarski, Christie Lenée, Coco Montoya, and Dave Specter. Michael Wright looks at the symbolism behind the Epiphone U.S.A. Spirit II, while Dave Hunter unearths a fascinating Cordovox Rotating Speaker cab. Country legend Ricky Skaggs goes under Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” microscope, and Living Colour’s Vivid is re-examinged in “Pop ’N Hiss.”

Anyone on the lookout for new gear (and who isn’t?) will want to see our objective reviews of AnalogMan’s Peppermint Fuzz, the Walrus Audio EB-10, Xotic Effects’ XVP-250K, the Danelectro 59X12, Jam Pedals’ Rooster Limited, the Schertler Unico, Gold Tone’s F-12, and Victoria’s Deluxe 1x12.

And because you’re always on the hunt for new music, we tell our thoughts on the latest from Pink Floyd, Marshall Tucker Band, Black Stone Cherry, Coco Montoya, Frank Zappa, Toto, Richard Thompson, and more.

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Just two of many stars of the “Play It Loud” exhibit at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Jimi Hendrix’s “Love Drops” Flying V and Rory Gallagher’s ’61 Strat are waiting and ready to inspire awe in guitarheads. We examine both in an exclusive look, and visit with producer Daniel Gallagher (Rory’s nephew) about the guitars and amps you’ll hear on the new live album, Check Shirt Wizard Live in ’77.

We also interview Dean and Robert DeLeo to learn why now is the time for Stone Temple Pilots to explore an acoustic-type thing. Enjoy an amazing Vox double shot with Peter Kohman’s look at the JMI/Vox Mark Series “teardrop” guitars and Dave Hunter’s archaeology of the AC10 Super Reverb. Wolf Marshall reminds us of Brad Whitford’s understated role with Aerosmith in “Fretprints,” and “Pop ’N Hiss” goes Americana with Lucinda Williams’ Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. We chat about new music with Tinsley Ellis, Will Sexton, Paul Rodgers, Frank Hannon, Andy Powell, and John Moreland.

In “Approved Gear,” we offer honest opinions of the Heather Brown Electronicals Blessed Mother, Keeley ECCOS Delay Looper, Tyler Morris Designs Turbo Booster, Guild X-175 Manhattan Special, Reverend Airwave 12, Singleton Cool Bop Archtop, Novo Serus T, and the PRS 35th Anniversary Custom 24.

When it’s time to freshen your playlists, you can trust our “Hit List” music-review staff to find great stuff, like the latest from Al Di Meola, Cream, ZZ Top, Gary Moore, the Nick Moss Band, Lamb of God, and many others.

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Raised playing guitar in a nomadic Australian family, Tommy Emmanuel’s life has been inextricably tied to creating music. A rock star in the ’80s, he forged his own path to become the world’s foremost fingerstylist – and a national hero in his home country. We caught up to discuss his fascinating story, and new album. We also examine the forthcoming book Seeing Stevie Ray, by photographer Tracy Anne Hart, who for 40 years has trained a lens on guitarists to illustrate the collaborative nature of music and photography. Dave Hunter offers his usual superlative study, this time on the ’62 Premier 120R, a B-list amp that offers more than you’d think! Michael Wright does the same with the familiar shape that is the ’82 Ibanez Rocket Roll II. Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” discusses three players – Steve Lynch, Vito Bratta, and Reb Beach – who created some of the ’80s best licks, while “Pop ’N Hiss” explains why Billy Cobham’s Spectrum is sheer brilliance thanks in part to the very underrated Tommy Bolin.

We pay homage to John Prine and Bucky Pizzarelli, then talk new music with Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Khan, and Jim Lauderdale.

Our “Approved Gear” offers a look at the best new stuff for helping you pursue those musical inspirations, including the Punch Pedals Greg Marra Uppercut, Tru-Fi Colordriver, Walrus Audio Mako D1, Fender American Ultra Jazzmaster, Marchione Master Burst, Rajani VOD-50, Boss ME-80, and the Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1960 Les Paul Standard.

Speaking of inspiration, how about some new jams? Our “Hit List” music-review staff is ready with a great list of suggested listening, like the latest from Rory Gallagher, Tommy Emmanuel, Cindy Cashdollar, Joe Satriani, David Grissom, Willie Nelson, Eric Johnson, and many others.

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Dapper and dashing, T-Bone Walker was a pioneering electric-blues guitarist. He and the big, beautiful ’49 Gibson ES-5N we feature this month made the model requisite for fashionable blues men. We also tell the story of Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston, The Mississippi native helped seed the line between the Delta and Chicago. While touring the world, the National Sonora feature in this issue was his go-to guitar. Amp guru Dave Hunter digs into the Supro Model S6422TR Tremo-Verb, and fellow vintage-gear sage Peter Kohman explores the gimmicky Burns TR2/Vibra Slim. Don’t miss our annual “Dad’s Day” ode to fathers who inspire. We talk speak with Johnn Colla, Kinga Glyk, Frank Marino, Wayne Krantz, Adam Hawley, Nili Brosh, Gordon Lightfoot, and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thall about their new music. Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” gets grungy, breaking down three of the greatest licks from Jerry Cantrell, while “Pop ’N Hiss” reminds why Free’s Fire and Water is such an impressive piece of work, thanks in large part to the playing of Paul Kossoff.

Our “Approved Gear” takes a close look and gives objective opinions of the Asher Mozo, Boss DD-3T, MXR Timmy, Danelectro ’59 Divine, Eastwood Mad Cat, Fender ’64 Custom Princeton Reverb, Fender American Acoustasonic Stratocaster, and the G&L Espada. Also, because it’s always a great time to find new music, we offer our thoughts on the latest by the Allman Brothers Band, Alex de Grassi, David Bromberg, Vandenberg, Robby Krieger, Pokey LaFarge, Wylde Ratttz, Neil Young, and others while Dan Forte takes us on a journey through the British blues boom – think Eric Clapton, Kim Simmonds, Brett Marvin, Graham Hine, Mick Taylor, Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, and others – in his “Check This Action” column.

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August 2020 issue Featuring Billy F Gibbons

When it came time to reissue his 2005 book, Rock + Roll Gearhead, Billy Gibbons dug deeper into his collections. We get the lowdown on the upgrade. In another exclusive, we visit with sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell, a.k.a. Larkin Poe, whose new album is hotter than a Rickenbacker frying pan sittin’ on a Mississippi sidewalk in the summertime! Plus, we tell the riveting stories of the Kramer 650G and Fender’s ’61 Bandmaster. Need a big ol’ dose of vintage wire and wood? Check out Tom Guerra’s collection. We talk new music with Kid Ramos, Jimmy Johnson, Tom Principato, Kurt Rosenwinkel, George Lynch, and Josh Smith. Then, grab your guitar and strum along as Wolf Marshall breaks down career-making licks from Carlos Rios. Join us in revisiting Skynyrd’s Second Helping, and build new playlists from our reviews of the latest music from George Barnes, Webb Wilder, Rory Block, Eli Cook, and many more. Everybody loves new gear, but before plunking down your hard-earned cash, catch our reviews of great stuff from Boss, Lucky Dog, Valco, EVH, Relish Guitars, PRS, and Reverend. Learn More