Back Issues

Our annual Readers’ Choice Awards honor players and their music for being beacons of light in the year that was (sigh...) 2020. And we induct Eric Johnson, Edward Van Halen, Rory Gallagher, Jerry Garcia, and the Gibson Les Paul Special to the VG Hall of Fame. 

For more than 30 years, Lyle Workman has backed Sting, Todd Rundgren, Frank Black, and others. His new album offers the sort of guitar master work anticipated by fans.

The Murch Squire II-T was – and is – an attention-getter with a fascinating SoCal origin story. 

Early classic amps always capture attention, even models like the Airline GIM 9151A, which hit the market after their builder’s star faded.

A casual stroll past a shuttered pawn shop in Sweden led to one of guitardom’s great discoveries – a hand-made ’58 Höfner 162!

Artists discussing their new music include acoustic-rock superstars Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, from America, as well as Joe Bonamassa, Cory Wong, Eric Gales, Freddie Salem, and Wolf Hoffman. Wolf Marshall studies the early career of guitar legend Peter Frampton, focusing on his work in Humble Pie, while “Pop ’N Hiss” re-examines Rory Gallagher’s classic album, Photo-Finish.  

Fans of the Fab Four will love this month’s “Classics,” with its look at a nicely thematic collection. Plus, we have a look at Fender’s Blue Floral Tele and Tele Bass, today much- appreciated by collectors.

For a refresher on your gotta-hear music choices, check this month’s “Hit List” reviews, where we highlight the latest from AC/DC, Steve Lukather, Black Sabbath, Chris Hillman, Buzzcocks, Steve Earle, Rick Holmstrom, and many others!

Our “Approved Gear” review staff examines the Drybell Unit67, the Fender Player Series Jaguar, Pickaso Guitar Bow, Fryette Power Station PS-100, Prestige Classic TBK, Reverend Soul Shaker, Carr Super Bee, and the Positive Grid Spark.

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

His guitar helped make Dinosaur Jr. legendary in alt-rock; we talk with J Mascis about the band’s 35 years, its new music, and challenges forging forward. Speaking of challenges, Lee Ritenour has overcome his share including wildfires that claimed his home, studio, and a lifetime of keepsakes. We check in as he keeps on. Other artists talking new music and gear include Steve Lukather, Michael Schenker, Yasmin Williams, Tony Rombola, and Rod Abernethy.

One of the great tales in 20th-century guitar lore, we tell the story of United Guitar Corporation. And because geeking-out on a amp is always time well spent, we explain the quirky appeal of the Epiphone Devon Tremolo EA-35T. Speaking of quirky, dig into our feature on two rare Gibson Les Paul Juniors, factory finished in black! Continuing the Gibson theme, this month’s “Classics” feature revisists the company’s 1940 logbooks and an early ES-250 with one of the first “diagonal” pickups.

Wolf Marshall breaks down the early career of Robben Ford, and our classic-vinyl “Pop ’N Hiss” column revisits Eric Johnson’s Ah Via Musicom.

Just in time to freshen your listening list, this month’s “Hit List” reviews the latest from Steve Cropper, Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan, Greta Van Fleet, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Michael Schenker Group, Crack the Sky, Mudhoney, and many more.

Our “Approved Gear” crew explains why the Cordoba 15CFM, Keeley Hydra, Tone Electronix Animalizzer, Fender Player Jazz Bass Fretless, Harden Engineering BluesBird, Jammy G, Breedlove Jeff Bridges Concert Copper E, and ToneTron Billy Rocker 10 are worthy of your consideration.

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

Founder of the genre-spanning Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Benson reflects on five decades of triumph, setbacks, and personnel changes that helped revive Western swing. Plus, we talk with three key former members. 

We also ask Neal Schon why he’s selling his iconic Journey guitars, and interview Travis Tritt to talk about the guitars that went along on his first trip to a recording studio in more than a decade. 

Speaking of recording, we talk new music with Styx’s Tommy Shaw and James Young, Paul Gilbert, John Notto, Reverend Peyton, Earl Slick, Jimmy James, and Marc Bonilla, then pay homage to pedal-steel master Rusty Young. 

If you’ve ever wondered about the uber-cool silver-gray tolex on Rickenbacker’s guitar/bass cases from the ’60s, you’ll dig the B14A amp, wrapped in the same stuff. And yes, it sounds good, too! More cool happens with a ’69 Dan Armstrong Lucite guitar and matching ’71 Lucite bass, as well John Wiley’s Guild F-20 Troubadour and Hagstrom Futurama.

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” tells us why Ronnie Montrose was America’s original answer to British heavy metal, while “Pop ’N Hiss” revisists the fusion greatness of Bruford’s One of a Kind. 

Freshen your guitar-music listening with recommendations from our expert music-review staff, who this month screen the latest by Julian Lage, John Hiatt and Jerry Douglas, Styx, Peter Frampton, Paul Gilbert, Tommy Emmanuel, The Who, and more.

There’s never a bad time to up your game with solid new “Approved Gear,” and this month our staff deep-dives on the Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic, Fender Joe Strummer Campfire, Legendary Tones Lynch Mod, Guild Starfire I DC GVT, Quilter Aviator Cub, Taylor 326ce Urban Ash, Dr. Z CAZ-45, and the PRS Studio.

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

Brian Setzer’s new album revisits the rockabilly themes that have spurred him for decades, but also meets his personal challenge to keep it fresh – and laden with great guitar tones. We sit wit him to learn how it came together. We also talk to Alligator Records founder Bruce Iglauer about the great guitarists who’ve helped make the label a blues stalwart.

No matter your taste, you’ll dig the variety of artitsts discussing their latest work, from Nancy Wilson and Jerry Douglas to Guthrie Govan, Greg Koch and Sunny War to Mike Zito and Dave Wyndorf. Also, GA-20 helps us dive into their new album, a tribute to Hound Dog Taylor.

Speaking of great blues guitarists (and their guitars), this month’s “Classics” feature tells the bittersweet tale of Fenton Robinson’s ES-225. Dave Hunter reveals the spacey history of the Gibson GA-8 Discoverer, and Michael Wright details how Modulus employed futuristic materials in making the Graphite Flight 6.

Wolf Marshall reminds us of the brilliance of Walter Becker in “Fretprints,” while “Pop ’N Hiss” tells why Uriah Heep’s Demons and Wizards is watershed prog-metal.

As always, you’re interested in hearing the best new guitar music, and our expert review staff tells why the latest from Tedeschi Trucks Band, Billy F Gibbons, Mike Zito, Mick Fleetwood & Friends, Frank Zappa, Guy King, Night Ranger, John McLaughlin, Motörhead, and others is worth lending an ear.

If you’re also into making great music, read out “Approved Gear” reviews to learn about usable, high-quality new equipment. This month, our staff strums tests the Cicognani SexyBoost2, McGregor Crunch/Crunch Plus, MXR Eric Gales EG74 Raw Dawg, Orangewood Echo 12 Live, Supro Delta King 10, Universal Audio Astra Modulation Machine, Eastman SB55, and the Eastwood Bob Weir Artist.

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

We talk with Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready to get the lowdown on a limited-edition Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster that marks the 30th anniversary of their landmark album, Ten. We also venture to the recording studio of Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn, who tends to a fleet of guitars and amps that help an array of artists make music.

We pay homage to ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill and talk new music with Robben Ford, Molly Miller, Chris Cain, John Pizzarelli, Manny Charlton, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Alex Hall, and Dan Wilson.

This month’s “Classics” recalls how VG music editor Pete Prown became enamored with the Ibanez Iceman. Dave Hunter previews his new book with a look at Fender’s Tweed-to-Tolex Transition, and in a truly bizarre guitar story, we reveal the saga of a 1958 Esquire that emerged after 30 years in a Georgia storage container; get ready to meet “Swamp Thing!” 

In “Dan’s Guitar Rx,” Dan Erlewine takes a beat up vintage Jazz Bass under his wing, and enlists help in its restoration. “Pop ’N Hiss” tells why Uriah Heep’s Demons and Wizards is watershed prog-metal. 

As always, we find great new guitar music to recommend for your turntable and playlist. This month, it’s the latest from Eric Clapton, Brian May, George Harrison, Gary Moore, Molly Miller, Robben Ford, Black Sabbath, and more. Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” reels in a fresh batch of instrumental surf jams. 

Our “Approved Gear” review staff tells you why the Analog Man King Of Tone Overdrive, Fender Dhani Harrison Ukulele, Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-Tone P90s, Guild B-240EF, Harmony Comet, Marshall DSL1C, Collings I-35, and Mesa Badlander are worth a look – and maybe your hard-earned dollar.  

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

For 50 years, millions have heard his guitar, mandolin, and banjo on hits by Elton John and a who’s-who list of superstars. We talk with Davey Johnstone about life, and his first solo album since 1973.

Chris Leuzinger’s mother spun Latin instrumental LPs under platters by Sinatra, Belafonte, Bennett, and others. After hearing Jimmy Reed and Howlin’ Wolf as a kid, he had to grab a guitar; the blues’ attitude pushed his career to suprising places.

“It’s the journey, not the destination.” Fender’s 1961 Bassman embodies the adage and how, while traveling the road to a better bass amp, Leo and company produced several of the best guitar amps ever made.

If your radio was tuned to a country station even for a few minutes anytime in the last 30 years, odds are you’ve heard the ’52 Les Paul in this month’s “Classics.”

For all of his fame, little is known about Spanish guitar builder Rafael Casana, and this guitar from 1910 may be the only surviving example of his work.

To learn about their new music, we speak with John 5, Keb’ Mo’, John Hall and Larry Hoppen from classic-rockers Orleans, Micki Free, and Scott T. Jones to talk about their latest work. 

Dan Erlewine’s “Guitar Rx” column shows us how to install an acoustic-guitar pickup, while Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” delves into the legendary licks of Johnny Meeks.

To lend a hand in your search for great new guitar music, our “Hit List” staff recommend the latest from Eric Gales, Phil Lynott, Spirit, Chuck Berry, Legendary Shack Shakers, John 5, Keb’ Mo’, Dave Specter, and more!

Our professional, reliable “Approved Gear” reviews discuss new stuff from Boss, Keeley, McGregor, Fender, Harmony, Taylor, Ellis, and Marshall. 

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

Cars and the California lifestyle are inextricably intertwined, so of course Fender marketed a guitar with racing stripes. On your marks, get set, meet the Competition Mustang! Speaking of races, after retiring the Epiphone brand name in ’85, Gibson revived it for use on guitars targeted at the market being dominated by the likes of Kramer. Its flaghip was this Epiphone by Gibson Firebird 500.  

More than 40 years into a stellar career, Steve Vai continues to explore music outside his comfort zone. His new album is one of the best – and bravest – he has ever made.

Even with all the excellent amps available by the late ’60s, nothing was quite good enough for jazz and studio great Howard Roberts – so he and and a friend created the Benson Model 300H. 

New York City session ace “Wild” Jimmy Spruill played his share of guitars – and likely altered every one of them much like the ’66 Jaguar in this month’s “Classics.”

We talk new music with Edgar Winter, Joe Satriani, Del McCoury, Gregg Wright, and Sam Williams.

“Pop ’N Hiss” recounts the long road to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood, Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” reminds us of the impact and playing of Earl Hooker, and Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” recalls playing guitar with the Ventures.

As always, our knowledgable “Hit List” music reviewers are ready to help freshen your playlist by screening the latest from John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Del McCoury Band, Edgar Winter, Sam Moss, Joe Satriani, and many more!

If you prefer expert opinions without catalog-speak, our honest, objective “Approved Gear” reviews discuss the latest from TWA, Valco, Furch, String Sling, Reverend, Vox, Ibanez, and Martin.

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

We welcome Mike Campbell, Vince Gill, Ron Wood, Nat Daniel, and the Gibson ES-330 to the VG Hall of Fame, while the Readers’ Choice Awards note the best music and performances of 2021 – by Vince Gill, Billy Gibbons, Robben Ford, Derek Trucks, and the Tedeschi-Trucks Band.

The Lovin’ Spoonful boasted an impressive song catalog in the age of psychedelia. Founder/front man John Sebastian recently joined world-class guitarist Arlen Roth in reworking 14 of the group’s “good-time” songs, including three instrumentals.

For more than a decade, an Alembic Long Scale was David Hood’s #1 bass as the world-famous Swampers backed a laundry list of high-profile artists on megahit sessions at Mussel Shoals Sound. We tell its story.

Most classic amps stand on their own merits. But when a hallowed creation also has a fun artist-related history like this road-worn ’57 Fender Super formerly owned by Dwight Twilley, there’s a whole other dimension to the tale.

“Pop ’N Hiss” recounts the planet-shattering impact of Prince’s 1999, Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” offers a timely reminder of how drummer-turned-frontman/guitarist Dave Grohl has influenced two generations of rock musicians, and Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” rediscovers Son House... again

Our tell-it-like-it-is “Approved Gear” reviews dig into the Donner DST400, Lovepedal Purple Plexi, Walrus Audio Eras Five-State, Godin A6 Ultra Baritone, Tx-Watt Flagship, Kirn Vaquero, King Snake Three Bone, and the PRS SE Silver Sky. 

Our “Hit List” review staff sifts out the best new music. This month, their list include the Duke Robillard Band, Circle Jerks, Andy Timmons, Ty Tabor, Rick Holmstrom, Calexico, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and more! Stopping in to talk about their new music are Robin Trower, Duke Robillard, Aldo Nova, Ty Tabor, and Larry McCray, while Larry Carlton talks about his final tour.

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

One of the most-recognizable guitarists of the early ’70s, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter was the Tele-wielding rocker in Steely Dan and has worked a lifetime of A-list sessions. His new album, The Speed of Heat, is packed with eclectic synergy.

Son of an auto mechanic and a guitar-shop owner at age 18, Steve Evans spent years taking photographs of guitars that share names with cars that share names with guitars. We offer a look at his work.

By the early ’60s, Gretsch was riding high with models endorsed by Chet Atkins; one of them is an icon, another faded quickly. Few, if any, were like the ’62 Country Gent Custom.

While scanning a VG ad in 2009, Billy Soutar spotted a 1936 Gibson L-7, “Custom... with factory Charlie Christian pickup.” The word “rare” especially caught his attention, and he was soon taking a long drive to buy it.

Les Paul’s name on the headstock of Gibson’s debut solidbody was the biggest guitar-star endorsement of its time. The GA-40 amp came with it, offering tone players still dig today.

“Pop ’N Hiss” revisits the challenges faced by Lynyrd Skynyrd in making its first album, Pronounced ‘Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd’, while Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” examines the full-tilt boogies of Foghat. Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” reminds us why Eric Burdon and the Animals were a landmark act, and Dan Erlewine guides a high-school student through a guitar build.

As always, “Approved Gear” offers an objective screening. This month, it’s the Earthquaker Devices Special Cranker, Luna Art Vintage Parlor A/E, MoJo Hand Swim Team, Fender Meteora, Line 6 Catalyst, Maestro FZ-M Fuzz-Tone, Grez Mendocino, and the Jackson Pro Series Jeff Loomis Soloist SL7.

Everyone loves to freshen-up their playlist or music collection, and “Hit List” review staff is always finding the best new stuff. This month, they include Black Crowes, Graham Nash, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Scofield, ZZ Top, Albert Cummings, Eric Johnson, Def Leppard, and more! To talk about new music, we sit with Phil Collen, Mike Campbell, Eric Johnson, Jim Weider, Shane Fontayne, Josh Smith, and Will Ackerman.

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