Back Issues

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

Famous for helping create the fuzzy riff that cuts through the Yardbirds’ “Heart Full of Soul,” we take a look at Jeff Beck’s ’54 Fender Esquire. We also sit with legendary Canadian rocker Myles Goodwyn, who guided April Wine to stardom in the ’80s. After asking dealers worldwide, we share our findings on the effect of Covid-19 is having on the vintage market. And we dig for the meaty details on the Gibson Duo-Medalist 1x12 combo. Wolf Marshall breaks down the defining licks of Sheryl Bailey, we pay homage to Charlie Daniels and Lucky Peterson, and talk new music with Doug Aldrich, Albert Cummings, Jimmy Johnson, Myles Kennedy, John Scofield, and Adrian Vandenburg.  

Our “Approved Gear” reviewes offer test the best new stuff, including the Danelectro Back Talk, Fender 70th Anniversary Broadcaster, Valco BloodBuzz, Boss Acoustic Singer Live LT, EBMM Purple Nebula Majesty, Heritage Artisan Aged Dirty Lemon Burst H-15, Ibanez GB10EM, and the Jackson X Series SLX DX Soloist.

Longing to hear new jams? Our “Hit List” music-review staff is ready with suggested listening, like the latest from Dion, Steve Earle, Phish, Jim Capaldi, John Scofield, Doc Watson, 13th Floor Elevators, and many others.

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Mike Campbell talks about his favorite vintage instruments and their role in creating new music with his band, The Dirty Knobs. Other artists sharing thoughts on their latest work include Dennis Jones, Gwenifer Raymond, Charles Moothard, Adrian Smith, Jock Bartley, and Johnny Nicholas.

Dave Hunter traces the history of the famed Vox AC100, and examine how the Schaeffer-Vega Diversity System revolutionized arena rock.

Rock and roll guitar has always involved effects pedals. Eilon Paz’s new book, Stompbox: 100 Pedals of the World’s Greatest Guitarists digs into the favorites of high-profile players. We offer an excerpt.

Wolf Marshall studies the life and licks of Soundgarden’s Kim Thayill.

In “Pop ’N Hiss,” we talk with Steve Hunter about his work on the classic Lou Reed’s Rock N Roll Animal and Lou Reed Live albums.

Zac Childs reveals the secrets behind Fender’s Wide Range humbucker.

Our “Classics” photo feature stacks up the Gibson korina, showcasing a ’58 Flying V and ’59 Explorer along with their lesser-known sib, a ’61 Skylark lap steel!

Few things in life are better than discovering great new music, and we’re here to help! Grab this month’s “Hit List” reviews, where we highlight the latest from Wes Montgomery, Kid Ramos, Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, John Lee Hooker, Hendrix, Allman Brothers Band, Orianthi, Lee Ritenour, and many others!

Our “Approved Gear” reviewes offer test the best new stuff. This month, we plug in the BSM RM Majestic Treble Booster, Cicognani Engineering Pompeii PP603, EHX Mainframe Bit Crusher, Epiphone Crestwood, Eastman MD515, Guild Artisocrat HH, JHS 3 Series, Solo Dallas Schaffer Replica Tower, Altamira TD-Birdseye Oval Hole, and the Fret King Esprit II.

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

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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!

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