December 2005

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FEATURES

THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
Sparkle & Glitter: Guitars Made in Italy, Part 1
Most American guitar aficionados are familiar with EKO guitars, while other Italian brands flew below our radar in the ’60s. Thus, the real tradition of their guitars remains misty for most of us. Here begins a tribute. By Michael Wright

BASS SPACE
Fritz Brothers Bass
Renowned luthier Roger Fritz’s latest axe is a retro-look model inspired by the first Kay electric basses of the 1950s. Here’s why he’s trying to get “…as close to the original as possible.” By Willie G. Moseley

40 EPIPHONE RIVIERA
It helped reinvent Epiphone in the 1960s as a modern guitar builder whose instruments sported contemporary features like thinline, semi-hollow, double-cutaway bodies and humbucking pickups. If only the Beatles had grabbed it instead of a Casino… By George Gruhn

NICK MOSS
Big Blues, Legit Tattoos
He got his start backing some of Chicago’s iconic blues masters, such as Jimmy Dawkins, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, and Jimmy Rogers. He now fronts a band and records on his family-owned label. By Willie G. Moseley

J. HOWARD FOOTE PARLOR GUITAR
Most people are aware of P.T. Barnum and his circus. But few know that he was arguably the greatest promotion man who ever lived, and that he had a huge impact on American pop culture in the 19th century. But what has he got to do with this guitar? By Michael Wright

BOLT-ON NECKS, BLACK ’GUARDS
The First Fender Single-Cut Guitars
In The Blackguard: Telecaster-Style Guitars from 1950-1954, Nacho Banos displays his devotion to non-truss-rod Esquires, as well as Nocasters and ‘50s Esquires and Telecasters. Here’s a preview. By Nacho Banos

BEYOND THE PARLOR
Part 2: Man and Machine
The author continues his assault on the common belief that the guitar in the 19th century was strictly a ladies’ parlor instrument by finding guitars being made – and played – by men. By Tim Brookes

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News and Notes
Billy Gibbons book, PRS Wins Appeal, B.B. King, AMA Honors, Hard Rock Guitar Smash, In Memoriam, more!

Tone Poets
Two Great Instruments, Endless Possibilities
By Dan Forte

R.L. Burnside, 1926-2005
By Dan Forte

Burton’s Big Guns
Guitar Hero Gathers Heavey-Hitter Friends
By Willie G. Moseley

Ask Zac
By Zac Childs

Debbie Davies
On The Road With All I Found
By John Heidt

Susan Tedeschi
Crackin’ the Boys Club
By Elliot Stephen Cohen

Freddy Koella
Blues (and more)
By Way of France By Frank Moriarity

COLUMNS

Q&A With George Gruhn

Acousticville
I Tale of a Modern Flat-top
By Steven Stone

FretPrints
Allen Holdsworth
By Wolf Marshall

Gigmeister
More Pedalboard Mania
By Riley Wilson

TECH

Dan’s Guitar Rx
Dumpster Diving
By Dan Erlewine

Guitar Shop
The Devil in the Details
By Tony Nobles

Amps
Re-covering Your Vintage Amp
By Gerald Weber

Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber

REVIEWS

The VG Hit List
Reviews: Johnny “Guitar” Watson, James McMurtry, Nickel Creek, Elvin Bishop, The Domino Kings, Play Acoustic, more!

Check This Action
The City That Care Forgot
Dan Forte

Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
65Amps London, Martin D-18 1937 Authentic/OMC-1 Fingerstyle, Kustom ’36 Coupe, ToadWorks Lil’ Leo/John Bull pedals.

Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!

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