July 2019

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!