January 2022

Vince Gill sees his share of classic guitars for sale; this Fender Broadcaster helped him shine light on a near-forgotten Nashville great. Carlos Santana’s creative drive is obsessive, restless – and relentless. For his latest album, he pooled the cosmic energy of family and a few superstar guests. There’s little reason to connect rock guitarist Dean DeLeo to Nashville session ace Tom Bukovac. Strange times, though, can lead to great things like their new album.

In decades past, amp makers faced challenges reaching a broader market; Dave West had a solid product and a star client, and his West Avalon R almost made it big. As a buyer for his family’s chain of music stores, Sammy Ash recognized something special when a young Paul Smith showed up with hand-made guitars in 1984. Instinct told him to set aside a few of the first PRS instruments. See them in this month’s “Classics.”

We pay homage to jazz legend Pat Martino, then talk new music with Danny Kortchmar, Jake Shimabukuro, Jules Leyhe, Sue Foley, and Joe Stump.

“Pop ’N Hiss” reveals why Earth, Wind & Fire’s That’s the Way of the World, was a breakthrough – and the band’s crowning achievement. Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” tells the story of Ted Greene, and Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” describes the blues treasures unearthed in the new documentary Memphis ’69.

Our knowledgable “Hit List” music-review staff sits with the latest from Santana, Asleep at the Wheel, Immediate Family, David Crosby, Billy Joe Shaver and Kinky Friedman, and many more!

Our “Approved Gear” reviews are honest and objective; learn about the latest from Becos, Belltone, Collings, Tx-Watt, Kendrick, Gallagher, and Morgan. 

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