June 2010

This month in VG We speak with world-famous guitar builder Paul Reed Smith. Influenced by music early in life, instead of writing "Born To Run" or playing the lead on Tom Petty's "Refugee," guitar history will recall him as the Ted McCarty (or Leo Fender) of his generation. Then, Dave Hunter tells us why among Fender "tweed" amps, the 5D5 Pro is an important starting point for studying both its predecessors and its successors. George Gruhn and Walter Carter explain how despite the popularity of Gibson's '50s thinline electrics, the acoustic archtop L-5CT didn't quite fly, and Willie Moseley reveals how the Peavey Dyna-Bass was an important evolutionary step in the company's history. Then, we offer up the details on two funky instruments - one you may have actually played, the other that, thanks to Communism, came to market way too late: check out our features on the Riverhead Jupiterand the Leningrad Hollowbody 409. Robb Lawrence stops in to visit about his two books on Les Paul, the man. Andy Babiuk talks about making garage music a la his heroes, and Dan Forte breaks down the details on the DVD box set on the British Invasion. Stopping by to discuss their new music are Julien Kasper, Jon Dalton, Rich Tozzoli, and Zac Harmon. If you're the tinkering type, you'll want to take a look at Will Kelly's Shop of Hard Knocks column, where he shows us how to build our own pickups, Dan Erlewine's Guitar Rx where he makes a new bridge for an Epiphone Texan, and David Jung's Talkin' Amps..., where he puts a bunch of EL84 tubes through their paces. And in the likely(!) event you're shopping for new gear, you'll want to read our reviews of cool new stuff from Gadotti, ProCo, Tomaszewicz, Egnater, Fervor pickups, Ultrasound, WMD, and Reunion Blues. Here's a look at Paul'sFirst Guitars!

FEATURES Paul Reed Smith He was influenced by music early in life. But instead of writing “Born To Run” or playing the lead break on Tom Petty’s “Refugee,” guitar history will recall Paul Smith as the Ted McCarty (or Leo Fender) of his generation. By Ward Meeker The Fender 5D5 Pro Among Fender “tweed” amp models, it sits in the center both chronologically and developmentally. That makes it a great jumping-off point for studying both its predecessors and its successors. By Dave Hunter The Gibson L-5CT Gibson’s first thinline electrics of the ’50s were popular. But when the company applied the concept to an acoustic archtop and created the L-5CT, sales were disappointing, even with a promotional splash provided by a popular comedian and TV-show host. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter One Fine 409: The Leningrad Hollowbody Born when such instruments were on their way out in the West, the 1970 Lunacharsky Factory of Folk Musical Instruments model 409 was more reminiscent of Kays and Harmonys from the 1950s and ’60s. By Edward Pitt The Riverhead Jupiter There are many patterns in guitar history, but one prominent theme repeats the tradition based on the apprenticeship/journeyman/master model. Such a pattern weaves the story of Riverhead guitars – a brand in the wrong place at the wrong time. By Michael Wright The Peavey Dyna-Bass Introduced in 1986, the Dyna-Bass was a major evolutionary step up from Peavey’s T-series instruments or the Foundation Bass. Though styled with classic lines, its active circuitry marked a first for a Peavey bass. By Willie G. Moseley DEPARTMENTS Vintage Guitar Price Guide Builder Profile Monroe Guitars Upcoming Events Vintage Guitar Classified Ads Dealer Directory Readers Gallery FIRST FRET Reader Mail News and Notes Tours by Frampton/Yes, Styx/Kansas/Foreigner, and Wishbone Ash, Father’s Day photos wanted, In Memoriam, more! The British are Back DVD Box Documents British Invasion By Dan Forte Chronicling Les Paul By Eric C. Shoaf VG on Facebook Andy Babiuk Out In the Garage By John Heidt Ask Zac By Zac Childs Julien Kasper Go With the Flow By John Heidt Jon Dalton Unplanned Perfection By John Heidt Rich Tozzoli Talking Tone By Pete Prown Zac Harmon Positive Blues Power By Rick Allen COLUMNS The (Way) Back Beat $100, 50 Years Ago, Part III By Peter S. Kohman Q&A With George Gruhn Acousticville Every Decade or So, Part II By Steven Stone Fretprints Judas Priest By Wolf Marshall TECH Shop of Hard Knocks Roll Your Own... Pickups By Will Kelly Dan’s Guitar Rx New Bridge for an Epi Texan, Part II By Dan Erlewine Talkin’ Amps... An EL84 “Showdown” By David Jung REVIEWS The VG Hit List CD, DVD, and Book Reviews: Drive-By Truckers, Johnny Cash, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Luther Allison, Johnny A, Wilson Pickett, Frank Vignola, Gibson’s Fabulous Flattops (Second Edition), more! Check This Action Guitar Heroes, 40 Years Late By Dan Forte Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews Gadotti ElectroKing, ProCo Rat ‘85 White Face, Tomaszewicz TZZ-35212L, Egnater Renegade 112, Fervor pickups, Ultrasound DS4, WMD Super Fat Man, Reunion Blues Continental gig bag. Gearin’ Up! The latest cool new stuff!