September 2023

Gov’t Mule didn’t spend the pandemic sittin’ on its hands. The band’s second album from that stretch, Peace... Like A River, is a display of world-class musicians with special guests joining the flow. Warren Haynes tells us about it.

We talk more new music with Nils Lofgren, John Pizzarelli, Monster Mike Welch, Duane Betts, Dan Wilson, Steve Turner, and Ralph Towner.

A 60-year-old amp in near-showroom condition will take your breath away, especially when it’s a ’63 Bandmaster – Last of the Oxbloods.

Emerging in ’60s catalogs from Hagström and Framus, eight-string basses occupy their own sonic niche. So does Tom Petersson’s Gretsch Round Up 12-String.

Down Bakersfield way, luthier Tony Brown and graphic artist/designer Theresa Spanke built a handful of guitars using the final wood remnants from Trout’s nightclub, an originator of a certain country-music style made famous by Red Simpson, Merle Haggard, and others. 

In “Classics” we highlight a one-off Micro-Frets Huntington, made by one of history’s underrated builders – and spawned by Fender’s infamous “lawsuit” frenzy.

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” examines the influences and impact of rock legend Mick Ralphs. Meanwhile, “Dan’s Guitar Rx” column has Mr. Erlewine beginning the resurrection of an old acquaintance.

Our knowledgable, objective gear-review staff digs into the Dr. Z 35th Anniversary Carmen Ghia 1x10, Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 FR E HSS, Fishman Broken Record, Ibanez Artcore Expressionist AM93QM, Interstellar Audio Machines Octonaut Hyperdrive, and the Reddick Voyager CS.

Brush aside those end-of-summer doldrums by freshening your playlist with great new guitar music. This month, our “Hit List” staff screens the latest by the Ventures, Joanna Connor, Monster Mike Welch, Eric Clapton, Kentucky Colonels, Hot Tuna, Johnny Winter, Vandenberg, and many more!

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