Back Issues

Elite musicians always bring effort, focus, and musical pliability. For Rusty Anderson, they've led to nearly two decades backing one of his musical heroes. We also interview L.A. metal-guitar vet Greg Leon, who played the Strip alongside now-legendary fellow shredders. Plus, we tell all about the Jacobacci Major Ohio, a pre-production Fender Deluxe, the evolution of Martin’s 000-42, and rockabilly goddess Lorrie Collins’ Martin D-28. Other interviews include Guthrie Trapp, Wanda Jackson, Gus G, Johnny A., Ian Moore, Steve Kimock, and Matteo Mancuso. We pay our respects to studio legend Bob Bain, and introduce a new monthly feature – “Pop ’N Hiss,” which takes a fresh look at the albums that made us want to pick up the guitar. The series opens with Frampton Comes Alive!. Let our “Hit List” reviews help you choose the best new music, and VG Approved Gear guide your next big purchase. You’ll want to dig way into the October issue, available now!

Just when we think there can’t be even one more hidden treasure left to emerge from an attic, blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa surprises the world. Read how he added a second ’58 Flying V to his collection. We also speak with journeyman guitarist Joe Mass, who continues to hustle great gigs while gathering very cool vintage guitars.

Martin Barre, Ace Frehley, Rich Robinson, Wayne Kramer, Greg Kihn, Jimmy Herring, Ronni Le Tekro, and Billy Gordon talk about their latest projects, and VG’s famed profiles dish all the vitals on a custom-made D’Aquisto Excel, the Yamaha SC-600, and Gibson’s GA-79RVT amp. Dave Hunter wrote the book on home recording, and this month he talks about the art of tracking drums. Our new “Pop ’N Hiss” feature digs into Rainbow’s classic Rising album, and Peter Kohman tells the story of the many builders who’ve copied Martin’s famed dreadnought.

Be sure to vote for your favorites in this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards and VG Hall of Fame entries. Everyone who votes is eligible to win a Michael Kelly and Sam Ash Music prize package worth $4,000! Our “Hit List” reviewers are ready to help you choose the best new music, while VG Approved Gear is here to show you great new additions to your arsenal. You’re sure to enjoy the December issue, available now!

When assigned a session with Roy Orbison in the summer of ’64, a young studio guitarist brought his favorite instrument. Read about Jerry Kennedy and the famous lick played on his one-of-a-kind Gibson ES-335.

We also offer the final interview with legendary Louisianan Tony Joe White and dig into the ’57 Stratocaster given to him by Waylon Jennings. Enjoy our look at 50 years of prog wizardry by Yes, then explore the stories behind early Gretsch “unsolidbody” electric guitars and the Mosrite M-88, dig into the Marshall Model 1987, and learn why Martin’s “Renaissance” guitars rank as a rare failure in the company’s storied history.

We catch up with Steve Lukather, Doyle Bramhall, II, Elvin Bishop, Ana Popovic, Erik Schenkman, Dan Donegan, Steve Tibbetts, and Abe Ovadia. Wolf Marshall schools us on the history and licks of Hound Dog Taylor, “Pop ’N Hiss” dishes on Def Leppard’s Pyromania, and Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” features root-rock acts worth hearing. Our “Hit List” reviewers guide you to the best new music, while VG Approved Gear highlights toys for your jam room (or gig rig). You’ll love in the February issue, available now!

With more than 15,000 pieces, the Musical Instrument Museum is a must-see for anyone who digs guitars. We tour the MIM’s new display focused on early electric guitars and heavy-hitter instruments that paved the way for the music we love.

We also speak with Charlie Daniels about his time as a session guitarist, his work with Bob Dylan, and his new blues album. And, we talk new projects with Eric Gales, Ryan Bingham, Steve Dadaian, Emily Elbert, Walter Trout, Donna Grantis, and Christophe Astolfi, then tell the amazing stories behind Zon’s Legacy bass, the D’Aquisto archtop built for any musical setting, the rare British Kitty Hawk Custom combo amp, and Guild’s S-50 Jet-Star.

We also recall the MC5’s thunderous Kick Out The Jams album, our VG Approved Gear staff is ready with thoughts on the latest guitars, amps, and effects, and the Hit List crews helps us find the best new music. It’s all in the May issue, available now!

After a lauded debut in 1978, Arlen Roth became a sought-after session player and composer. His new album features Telecaster gods Steve Cropper, Brad Paisley, Redd Volkaert, Steve Wariner, Brent Mason, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, Jack Pearson, Bill Kirchen, Johnny Hiland, Jerry Donahue, Joe Bonamassa, and other superstars gathered for an extraordinary project.

We pay homage to the late Dick Dale, then talk about new projects with Greg Martin, Nita Strauss, Dale Watson, Steve Earle, Scott Holiday, Steve Hackett, and D.J. Williams. We also tell the story of an ordinary guitar that made extraordinary music – the ’73 Strat used by Ed King to record “Sweet Home Alabama.” Our trademark instrument profiles include a look at the Cortez “Les Paul,” Silvertone’s Model 1433 amp, and we dig into the historically vital guitars made by Bacon & Day. As always, we’re ready with a new list of VG Approved Gear, and Hit List reviews of the best new music. It’s all in the June issue, available now!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!