Back Issues

We speak once again with genre-defying uberpicker John 5 to discuss his new instrumental album, Ghost. Along with the music and his disdain for down time, we get philosophical about his guitar collection. 

We continue to mark the 75th anniversary of the Tele, this time with a survey of “7 Heretics of the Telecaster” – players who altered the instrument and adapted the way it’s used. We also excerpt Telecaster 75 Years, the new book by longtime VG contributor Dave Hunter. 

Dave Hunter tells why the WEM Westminster 15 a prime example of the company’s offerings from the ’70s. 

Peter Stuart Kohman concludes his exploration of the “The Last Days of Danelectro.” The instruments may not be as well-known as Shorthorns, Longhorns, and Amp-in-Case Silvertones, but they’re every bit as interesting.

In “Classics,” we introduce you to a refinished ’59 Strat with a great story to tell. Some of its questions remain unanswered. 

Stopping by to talk new music are Ray Benson, Jon Butcher, Marcus King, Ana Popovic, and Zac Schulze. Reeves Gabrels digs into the details on his latest Reverend signature guitar. 

In “Pop ’N Hiss,” we recount the swagger of Foghat’s Fool for the City LP, and Wolf Marshall expounds on the influence of The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Axis: Bold as Love.

Our “Hit List” review staff screens the latest new music from The Who, Asleep at the Wheel, Warren Haynes, Sly & The Family Stone, Marcus King, and more. 

In “Approved Gear,” we test the Fender Ultra Luxe Stratocaster, Earthquaker Easy Listening, Blackstar IDX, and the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Spacehawk Supreme. 

It’s all in the November issue!

We mark 75 years of the indomitable Telecaster, Leo Fender’s solidbody masterpiece! We lead off with an examamination of the matching gold-sparkle Teles played by Don Rich and Buck Owens in 1965. The band was its peak, with guitars supplying the raw, visceral sound to hits by the Buckaroos. Most of them are still around, but one disappeared without a trace. We also examine 22 classic Tele licks; from Muddy Waters and Jimmy Bryant to Prince and Susan Tedeschi, it has always been a formidable tool of expression. Finally, Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” dives further into the influence of Owens and Rich.

Dave Hunter digs into the Ampeg Superbreverb R-15-R. Though it was offered for only a few years, its tone justifies the superlative in its name. 

Jimi Hendrix’s rhythm style – the chords in “Little Wing,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” or “Castles Made of Sand” and how they’re played have been used in hit songs through the decades, and all of them appropriated the groove from Curtis Mayfield. We tell his story.  

We talk new music with Webb Wilder, Johnny Moeller, Shawn Purcell, Ben Garnett, and Daniel Donato, and introduce you to Nathaniel Murphy, who helps players decide whether the guitar they’re shopping for at Chicago Music Exchange will be everything they need.

“Pop ’N Hiss” circles back on the impact of Foreigner’s 4, while “Fretprints” scrutinizes the licks of Toto IV, and band’s enormous impact on ’80s pop and rock. 

In “Dan’s Guitar Rx,” Mr. Erlewine fixes the bridge on ’49 Gibson J-200.

Freshen your playlists with help from our “Hit List” review staff, who tell why you should take a listen to the latest from Roger Waters, Webb Wilder, Rodney Crowell, Motörhead, Jorge Garcia, and others.

Our knowledgabel “Approved Gear” review staff weighs in on the PRS SE NF53, Bristol BD-21, Pre-War Mahogany Dreadnought, and the Spector Wimbish Euro 4.

It’s all in the October issue!

The Septenber 2025 Issue Featuring The Alice Cooper Group’s Michael Bruce and Dennis Dunaway.

Ignited by a visit to Gibson headquarters when he was nine, young Rick Derringer later used “Hang On Sloopy” to springboard a career that was varied and lengthy. We remember the guitar legend.

Binky Philips was just 21 when he walked into a NYC music store in 1972 and saw Rick Derringer’s ’59 Les Paul hanging on the consignment wall. For 53 years, it has been his most-prized possession.

The story of Danelectro guitars is well-documented, but its final years are a blur of conflicting stories and claims. Peter Stuart Kohman wants to help iron it out. 

Fender amps of the 1940s, ’50s, and early ’60s provide fascinating reading. Dave Hunter tells us about a ’67 Fender Showman with a story all its own.

From its early years through the ’60s, Gibson made custom instruments that mixed and matched specifications from various models. Few were as intriguing as the ES-175 Special Wurlitzer from 1955. George Gruhn and Walter Carter dig in for us.

We talk new music with Steve Stevens, Kid Ramos, Doug Aldrich, Luther Dickinson, Phil Manzanera, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Eric Johanson. We also remember Drew Zingg.

In “Fretprints,” Wolf Marshall delves into the blues, bop, and everything else that is Kenny Burrell’s On View at the Five Spot, while “Pop ’N Hiss” reminds us of the impact of Bookter T and MG’s Green Onions, and Dan Erlewine walks us through the restoration of a ’68 Martin D12-20.

Because we know you love the smell of new gear in the morning (or evening!), our “Approved Gear” staff examines the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue, Ciari Steve Stevens Ascender, Harden Gator OD, and the Tobias Classic IV and Killer B IV.

In “Hit List,” we share our thoughts on the latest music by Gary Moore, Marty Stuart, Santana, Styx, Phil Manzanera, Kid Ramos, and others.

It’s all in the August issue!

The July 2025 Issue of Vintage Guitar magazine features The Everly Brothers’ 6122 Country Gents, English Electronics Tonemaster, Dad’s Day, Dean DeLeo, Don Felder, Frank Hannon, Phil X, Andy Babiuk, Santana’s Abraxas, and more!

The June 2025 Issue of Vintage Guitar magazine features George Porter, Tommy Emmanuel, Jedd Hughes, Dudley Taft, Lari Basilio, Ally Venable, The Police, B.C. Rich Mockingbird Standard Tremolo, Fender Twin-Amp Model 5C8, Gretsch 7680 Super Axe, and more!

Mainstream favorites since their formation 55 years ago, the Doobie Brothers’ new album features more of their unique musical chemistry, re-joined by vocalist Michael McDonald. We discuss it with Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston, and John McFee. Plus, we look at the guitars used on the album, courtesy of writer/producer John Shanks.

One of the first to start buying and selling “old” guitars, Norm Harris’ foresight and hustle helped create the “vintage” market. He recalls his early days and career highlights. We also speak the producers of the Netflix documentary on Norm, his shop, and its patrons.

Certain guitar amps from ’50s begat the popular low-watt amps of today. Every bit as interesting as the big-name favorites are lesser-known alternatives also born in the decade of rock and roll. Dave Hunter examines Alternative Club Classic Amps of the ’50s.

Jeremy Graf has had “a million guitars,” but his all-time favorite is this 1961 Stratocaster, which has toured the world.

We talk new music with Rik Emmett, Greg Koch, Chris Walz, and Josh Meader.

In “Fretprints,” Wolf Marshall revisits the story and key licks from Cream’s Disraeli Gears, “Pop ’N Hiss” circles back on David Bowie’s Young Americans with help from Carlos Alomar, and “VG Q&A” digs into the history of Harmony guitars.

Our “Approved Gear” staff lends their knowledgable, objective opinions on the Carr Skylark Special, Martin Modern D-28, PRS Swamp Ash Special, and the Reverend Sensei H90.

Finally, we tell you our thoughts on new music from Charlie Musselwhite, John Lee Hooker, Popa Chubby, Rush, Rik Emmett, Greg Koch, Samantha Fish, and more!

It’s all in the May issue!

One of America’s most-respected singer/songwriters, Jason Isbell is a charismatic performer with an eclectic style that melds country, blues, and Southern rock. As his success grew, vintage gear played a larger role in his approach, including on his new solo acoustic album, Foxes in the Snow.

In the spring of ’71, Albert King was recording at Muscle Shoals, but walked out before his sessions were complete. Fifty-two years later, music producer/guitar collector Robert Johnson bought King’s THC Flying V, and it inspired him to “finish” the songs with help from a heavy-hitter accomplice.

Randall Smith’s Boogie circuit started as a prank before he applied it as a mod to small Fender amps. What did one player do when the blackface Bandmaster he bought sight-unseen turned out to have one? He celebrated, then traced its history.

We talk new music with Steve Vai, Steve Hackett, Allen Hinds, Midge Ure, and bass phenom Michael Manring. We also chat with David Hamburger, discussing his decades as a guitar pedagogue, and ask Mark Sampson what led to his reunion with Bad Cat Amplifiers.

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” revisits Larry Carlton’s Room 335, “Pop ’N Hiss” recalls why the Outlaws’ first album is legendary, and “VG Q&A” solves a parlor-guitar mystery.

When deciding on what you need for new gear, you can rely on the informed, objective opinions offered by our gear-review staff. This month, they dig into the Boogie MkIIC+, Eastwood MRG, Orange Dual Baby/Gain Baby/Tour Baby 100 amps, Soldano SLO Plus, and the Boss SDE-3.

Because it’s always good to augment your favorite classic songs with new stuff, we’re here to recommend the best we’re heard lately, including works by B.B. King, Thin Lizzy, Tab Benoit, Jason Isbell, Steve Hackett, and more.

It’s all in the March issue!

Carving a niche with soul-infused music informed by the blues, R&B, pop, and rock delivered with conviction, Tommy Castro is beloved for his guitar work and vocal style. To help create his new album, his famous ’66 Strat was pulled from under the bed.

Who invented the electric guitar? There is no single answer, but Peter Stuart Kohman tells the fascinating story about how, after leaving Gibson, Lloyd Loar teamed with Lewis A. Williams on one entry to the fray – the Vivi-Tone “Skeleton.”

In the mid ’60s, guitarists learned that 100 watts (or more!) was the way to go. The best approach however, followed several paths. Dave Hunter examines arena-rock alternative amps.

We pay homage to British guitarist Vic Flick, known for playing one especially famous movie-theme lick.

We talk new music with Tab Benoit, Yasmin Williams, Oz Noy and Andrew Synowic, Kristian Borring, and Marcin.

In “Fretprints,” Wolf Marshall examines Wes Montgomery’s transcendent masterpiece Full House.  Dan Erlewine and the VIPs in his shop continue to refurbish a custom-built doubleneck from the ’70s. Mark Farner talks about the making of Grand Funk’s We’re An American Band, in “Pop ’N Hiss.” Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” takes a listen to great folk-blues albums.

Our knowledgeable and informed review staff offers their objective thoughts on the Keeley Zoma, Bad Cat Cub V, EHX POG 3, Reverend Greg Koch Gristle ST, and Xotic XSS.

We have some great ideas for artist to freshen your playlists – and ears! We screen music by SRV & Albert King, Dwight Yoakam, Billy Strings, Yasmin Williams, Allman Brothers Band, Hot Club of San Francisco, and more!

It’s all in the February issue of Vintage Guitar!