Brad Paisley

Keep Pushing Play

February 4, 2010 · Zac Childs

Ten years into what has become a stellar career, when Brad Paisley hits your town to play a show these…

Neal Schon

Driven Journey Man

April 27, 2023 · Bret Adams

It’s been 11 years since Journey released a new studio album, and its latest, Freedom, is packed with 15 arena-ready…

Keeley Electronics Compressor Mini

The Tighten-Up

November 9, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

One entry in Keeley’s next-gen pedals, the Compressor Mini is an automatic “Manhattan-style” compression. The tiny tool’s secret is an…

Providence Silky Drive and Stampede DT

Japanese Silk (and Stomp)

July 24, 2015 · Pete Prown

Providence Silky Drive and Stampede DT Price: $394 (Silky Drive); $249 (Stampede DT) Info: www.providence-ltd.com. From the Land of the…

Nuno Bettencourt

Extreme Versatility

March 16, 2024 · Greg Prato

When Extreme reunited for its fifth album, 2008’s Saudades de Rock, it seemed a foregone conclusion the band was back…

Eric Clapton’s “Blackie”

Eric Clapton’s “Blackie”

March 13, 2015 · Willie G. Moseley

This may well be the most desirable Fender Stratocaster on the face of the planet. And it happens to be…

  • Carr Skylark Special 1×12

    Carr Skylark Special 1×12

    Take Flight

    Arriving a little more than 10 years after the original Skylark, Carr Amplifiers’ new Skylark Special adds versatility and enhanced tonal depths to squeeze a lot more into this diminutive…

    Read more >>

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ARTISTS

David Bromberg

Testifying for 
the Blues

April 16, 2019 · Michael Dregni

Jerry Jeff Walker said it best. Describing David Bromberg’s contribution to Walker’s trademark 1968 song, “Mr. Bojangles,” he said simply…

Ryan Carraher

Night Music

March 12, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

Jazz guitarist Ryan Carraher defines “vocturnal” as “a portmanteau of the words ‘nocturnal’ and ‘voyage.’ It’s a fitting title for…

Larry Mitchell

“Great Time To Be a Guitar Player”

March 2, 2017 · Oscar Jordan

Larry Mitchell’s guitar-centered “Ah ha!” moments run the gamut from Roy Clark, Van Halen, Prince, and Elvis. With a string…

John Leventhal

Ready to Rumble

December 13, 2024 · Rich Kienzle

“I’ve been lucky enough to make a career co-writing and producing records with great singers and lyricists, John Leventhal explains.…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Mark Lettieri’s funky finesse

January 2, 2025 · Vintage Guitar

Virtuoso take on “Greenspace” Stepping out from his band, Snarky Puppy, Mark Lettieri exhibits the finesse, funk, and fury that…

Orange OR80 Combo

Sunshine State

August 8, 2023 · Dave Hunter

Created when amps were huge and men were men – or at least had roadies to carry the gear –…

Electra MPC

Standard X340

November 1, 2013 · Michael Wright

One of the more successful Japanese-made guitar brands of the 1970s was Electra, the brand name used for electric guitars…

Martin OM-18P Plectrum Guitar

Martin OM-18P Plectrum Guitar

February 24, 2016 · George Gruhn

While the most commonly played and collected Martin guitars have a six-string neck, the company has also made a number…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Killer B Standard

Feel the Buzz

March 6, 2017 · Rich Maloof

In a marketplace crowded with indie guitar builders, Killer B differentiates its Standard model with uncommon contours and a customizable…

Vox Real McCoy Chrome Wah Ltd and V846 Vintage Wah

Replica Treadles

May 8, 2025 · Oscar Jordan

Thanks to notable users ranging from Del Casher and Frank Zappa to Jimi Hendrix and Kirk Hammett, the “wah wah”…

Electro-Harmonix Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive

Sound Assault

April 26, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

Like its namesake World War II invasion, Electro-Harmonix’s Operation Overlord Allied Overdrive involves an assault of sorts – though this…

EHX Lizard Queen

Filthy Fuzz

March 20, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

In 2021, JHS Pedals founder Josh Scott teamed with graphic designer Daniel Danger to design a ’70s-style/E-H-inspired fuzz pedal. The…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Kay-Ta Matsuno’s fluid fingerstyle

June 29, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Raised on classical, inspired by movie music Lovers of fingerstyle likely know the music of Kay-Ta Matsuno. For the uninitiated,…

Ernie Ball’s MVP Volume/Gain Expression Pedal

Ernie Ball MVP Volume/Gain Expression Pedal

Total Control

January 28, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

Ernie Ball’s MVP Volume/Gain Expression Pedal Price: $179 (list); $129.99 (street) Info: www.ernieball.com. Just when you thought you were done…

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Larry Alan Guitars’ The Harlot

Siren Song

June 10, 2016 · Chip Wilson

Hot idea: pack a sturdy-yet-petite 1590B casing with specially selected parts rendering a powerful, variable guitar overdrive, add a couple…

Kenny Sultan

Left-Coast Blues Machine

September 26, 2012 · Preston Gratiot

Kenny Sultan is a best-selling author of music books and instructional videos covering blues guitar, and is the guitarist in…

NGM Visits Texas

Nearing Permanent Home, Museum Honors Raitt

April 14, 2020 · Dan Forte

“It was born at the junction of form and function,” country guitar ace Bill Kirchen sings in “Hammer Of The…

Tele Jimmy Bryant

Sixty Years of Tele-Kinetic Guitar Heroes

Flying Saucers! Tail Fins! Robots!

April 2, 2014 · Pete Prown

Taking a cue from the burgeoning world of television, in 1951, Leo Fender married the name “Telecaster” to his new…

Fender Custom Color Strat main

Custom-Color Stratocasters

July 1, 2014 · R.K. Watkins

The Stratocaster was born in 1954. A solidbody with three pickups, contoured back and top, vibrato, and bolt-on neck, it…

Vega Director Model A-60

Enticing Extras

April 15, 2019 · Dave Hunter

A worthy vintage combo in all regards, there’s sad irony in the fact the Director Model A-60 is representative of…

Adrian Smith

Different Scales

November 25, 2021 · Pete Prown

Guitarists usually spend years learning their scales, but Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith enjoys scales of the aquatic kind. In his…

Red Witch Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave and SoloDallas Schaffer Replica

Circuits Gone Wild

March 5, 2019 · Pete Prown

Fuzz and octavers are among the hottest pedals around, with some builders even melding them to great effect. The Red…

VOXAC50-HOME-MAIN-BIG

Vox AC50

April 21, 2015 · Dave Hunter

Vox AC50 Preamp tubes: one ECC82 (12AU7), three ECC83 (12AX7) Output tubes: two EL34s, fixed-biased Rectifier: solidstate Controls: Volume, Treble…

BB King Vintage Guitar magazine main home

Remembering B.B. King

September 18, 2015 · Willie G. Moseley

Ed. Note: Everyone associated with Vintage Guitar magazine is saddened to learn of the passing of B.B. King. In 1995, Mr. King…

Joe Louis Walker

All-Original Blues

February 2, 2024 · Greg Prato

A member of the Blues Hall of Fame, Joe Louis Walker’s music always has unmistakable blues elements. His latest album,…

Gibson J-185

The Gibson J-185

November 20, 2015 · George Gruhn

The J-185 is regarded by many players and collectors as the finest-sounding Gibson flat-top made after World War II. The…

Bad Cat Jet Black Combo

Back in Black

September 17, 2024 · Charlie Wilkins

Guitar players around the globe praised Bad Cat’s Black Cat amp for its tone, but wanted more punch. Its ear…

Eastwood Black Box Series

Stomp City

May 4, 2023 · Pete Prown

Eastwood Guitars promises retro-themed gear at wallet-reassuring prices, as seen in their new Black Box Series of stompboxes. Among the…

Nili Brosh Vintage Guitar magazine

Nili Brosh

A Matter Of Perception

February 1, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

If you saw Tony MacAlpine on his early-2015 tour, you probably noticed a young woman accompanying him on a seven-string…

Carvin Audio VLD1 Legacy Drive

Legend In A Box

April 19, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

When Steve Vai needed a portable preamp to take on the road to emulate his signature amp tones, Carvin Audio…

National Style O

National Style O

February 11, 2010 · George Gruhn

Although it has never been the favorite guitar of Hawaiian players, National’s Style O, with its shining metal body and…

Tedeschi Trucks Band feat. Trey Anastasio

Layla Revisited

May 4, 2022 · Pete Prown

A live recording of Derek & the Dominos’ masterpiece? Featuring Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi – plus Doyle Bramhall, II…

2021 December Issue on Spotify

December 8, 2021 · Doug Yellow Bird

This month we feature Zakk Wylde, Samantha Fish, Mark Tremonti, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Seth Lee Jones, Dave Murray, Naia Izumi,…

Hilton Valentine

1943-2021

January 24, 2022 · Dan Forte

“The first song I learned on guitar was ‘House of the Rising Sun’ by the Animals.” The statement could have…

Eastwood Marksman 5

Bullseye!

October 13, 2015 · Zac Childs

Eastwood Marksman 5 Price: $999 (retail) Info: www.eastwoodguitars.com. Reviving great and unusual designs from the past has been the focus…

The 1912 Martin 000-28

The 1912 Martin

January 12, 2015 · George Gruhn

      By 1912, players of fretted instruments were familiar with steel strings. Mandolins, which were enjoying their period…

Robben Ford

Sky Above The Note

October 17, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

 The new album from Robben Ford is packed with beautiful music and the indelible ingredients that for decades have made…

Ohana Ukueles

Ohana Ukuleles

Serious Fun

September 7, 2014 · Steven Stone

Ohana Ukuleles Price: $249 (SK-35, CKP-70R); $259 (SK-28) Info: www.ohana-music.com. Just like guitars, ukuleles come in all quality levels, from…

Manny Charlton

Dog Days

June 10, 2022 · Bret Adams

“I always say it’s the song, the performance, and then the production.” Nazareth guitarist/producer Manny Charlton believes those three things,…

TWA Hot Sakè and Dynamorph

Circuit City

April 23, 2019 · Pete Prown

Totally Wycked Audio (TWA) builds a line of cool stompboxes that consistently push the envelope in the right direction. Two…

Mick Abrahams

This Was (And Still Is…)

November 30, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

British guitarist Mick Abrahams is best remembered for his work on Jethro Tull’s first album, This Was, followed by a…