October 2023

Famous for his songwriting, beneath the minimal compositional style that marked Robbie Robertson was a true guitar stylist. We remember the man who went from wild solos with Ronnie Hawkins to penning classics like “The Weight” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” 

We talk new music with Vince Gill and Paul Franklin, Adrian Vandenberg, Joanna Connor, Matteo Mancuso, Eleonora Strino, Scott Holiday, and the Ventures’ Bob Spalding.

An integral piece of Chicago’s blues history, Freddie King’s style has been emulated by every blues-rock guitarist who followed. We tell the story of the Gibson ES-355 that was his go-to in his final years.

One of the most-desirable vintage amps ever made goes by “Bluesbreaker,” a name it never officially had. Possibly the first Marshall brought to America, this particular Marshall Model 1961 has a story with plenty of allure.

“Classics” recalls the emergence of Michael Bloomfield as the first “guitar god” thanks to his work with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. This ’63 Strat was his favorite solidbody prior to his untimely passing. 

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” digs into the genre-defying work of Ty Tabor, while “Pop ’N Hiss” recruits Robin Trower to discuss his game-changing Twice Removed from Yesterday album.

Our highly knowledgable gear-review sifts through the fine points of the Boss DM-101, EHX Andy Summers Walking On the Moon, UAFX Galaxy ’74, Fishman Acoustiverb, Pocket Blender, and ProEQ Mini, the Jam Harmonious Monk II and Boomster II, Seymour Duncan ’78 Model pickups, Guild’s Polara Kim Thayil, and the PRS NF 53.

One benefit of shorter fall days is more time to chill and listen to great guitar music. Our “Hit List” tells you why you should push “Play” on new releases by Beck, Bogert & Appice, Vince Gill & Paul Franklin, Frank Zappa, Roy Buchanan, Pete Townshend, Nick Moss, and many more!

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