Ditson’s Style 11 and the Birth of the Dreadnought

Martin’s Big Step

April 15, 2019 · George Gruhn

In the early 20th century, any shopper who walked into the Charles H. Ditson & Company music stores in New…

Steve Lukather

Bridges to Toto’s Past

April 18, 2024 · Bret Adams

Discussing his ninth solo album, Steve Lukather is a ball of energy – reflective, witty, ready with a joke. “I…

Classics: February 2022

Chuck Panozzo’s Gibson ES-125

October 6, 2022 · Ward Meeker

For nearly five decades, Chuck Panozzo has been the bassist in Styx, enjoying the ride as it went from playing…

Henry James Schneekluth

Psychedelic

April 3, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Henry James Schneekluth handles the groovy guitar parts in Robert Jon & The Wreck. While impassioned Southern rock might be an…

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…

The Thompson Tremor Bender

Big Bend

April 29, 2020 · Zac Childs

Longtime musician and professional tool-and-die maker Don Thompson recently introduced the Tremor Bender, a retrofit stringbending device for most Fender-…

  • Rik Emmett

    Rik Emmett

    Canadian Custom

    Rik Emmett is a master of many guitar styles and other artistic endeavors. As co-lead vocalist/guitarist in the hard-rock trio Triumph from 1975 to ’88, he experienced life as a…

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ARTISTS

Buddy Merrill

1936-2021

December 2, 2022 · Rich Kienzle

Buddy Merrill, guitarist, steel-guitarist, composer, arranger, recording artist, and occasional vocalist, died December 5. He was 85. A seasoned musician…

Fretprints: Van Halen

Birth of the Brown Sound

November 4, 2024 · Wolf Marshall

In the late 1970s, hard rock was on the ropes. Always a guitar-dominated form of music, it had been diluted…

Steve Carr

Twenty-Five Years of Tonemaking

August 7, 2024 · Ward Meeker

In the mid ’90s, Steve Carr was a guitarist playing weekends and working weeknights as a waiter in a swank…

Robin Trower

Bridge of Skies

November 1, 2024 · Greg Prato

At age 78, Robin Trower remains at the top of his game, musically – still offering smoldering solos from his…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Warwick Thumb Bass

Generational Innovation

April 15, 2019 · Willie G. Moseley

Founded in the early 1980s by Hans-Peter Wilfer, Warwick has a familial connection to another well-known German brand from a…

The Martin 3K

April 29, 2021 · George Gruhn and Walter Carter

The continuing appeal of Hawaiian music through the past 100 years is based in part on the music itself, which…

Replacing Rotted Tuning Keys on a ’62 ES-335

Buttons for a Buzzcock

February 8, 2022 · Dan Erlewine

Steve Garvey played bass in the seminal punk band Buzzcocks during its classic era – 1977 to ’81 – with…

Freddie King’s ’73 ES-355

Thinline Crown

June 11, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Influenced by Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, and others including jump-blues…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Fender’s Player Plus Meteora HH

Familiar Face

March 30, 2023 · Pete Prown

Billed as “futuristic and familiar,” Fender’s Meteora design first arrived as part of the Parallel Universe line – mashups of…

Keeley Electronics Dark Side

Floyd Explorer

May 3, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

In the multi-verse of effects, Robert Keeley’s gizmos are a thing of beauty – particularly those that provide multiple sounds.…

Gretsch’s G6128T-CLFG Cliff Gallup Signature Duo Jet

Tip Of The (Blue) Cap

March 15, 2019 · Michael Dregni

Hot dog! Gretsch has long dreamed of issuing a Cliff Gallup signature guitar, but the stars never quite aligned –…

EHX Tortion JFET Overdrive

EHX Tortion JFET Overdrive

January 25, 2016 · Ray Wuolo

EHX Tortion JFET Overdrive Price: $198.67 (list)/$179 (street) Contact: www.ehx.com Having teenage metal-shredders at home makes one appreciate that a…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

The Rogue VB-100 Violin Bass

Fab As It Looks?

April 29, 2020 · Pete Prown

The Rogue VB-100 Series II is an homage to the venerable Höfner 500/1 semi-hollowbody. Popularly known as the “Beatle bass,”…

2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

January 11, 2017 · Vintage Guitar

Each year, Vintage Guitar asks fans to select Readers’ Choice winners for Album of the Year, Artist of the Year,…

New Orleans Guitar Company Model 8

Sonic Mojo

March 1, 2014 · Chip Wilson

New Orleans Guitar Company Model 8 Price: $2,999 Contact: neworleansguitar.com For over a decade, the New Orleans Guitar Company has…

Reddick Voyager CS

Boss Delay Machine DM-101 Reddick Echo Heaven

June 26, 2024 · Pete Prown

Love the simplicity and warmth of analog in your effects? Well, meet Boss’ new Delay Machine DM-101, housed in a…

100 Years of Boston’s MFA

Playable Exhibits

May 9, 2019 · Michael Wright

Musical instruments – guitars – present an interesting philosophical dichotomy. On one hand, they’re utilitarian objects whose very purpose –…

Matchless JJ-30

Stage Staunch

May 9, 2019 · Dave Hunter

Rare and sought-after, in part because only about 40 were built, the Matchless JJ-30 John Jorgenson is the only Signature…

John Scofield

January 27, 2017 · Rich Kienzle

The history of jazz guitarists playing country tunes is long and distinguished, starting with Slim Bryant, Les Paul, and George…

Harmony H650

Beautiful Ambiance

November 10, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

Since 1892, the Harmony moniker has graced a lot of instruments, from archtops to violins. Today, it’s enjoying a renaissance,…

Check This Action: Unearthing Blues Treasures

August 29, 2022 · Dan Forte

Steve Buscemi’s depiction of a socially challenged record collector in the movie Ghost World is not inaccurate – at least in…

The Prestige Classic TBK

Hidden Treasure

October 15, 2021 · Bob Cianci

One of the best-kept guitar secrets, Prestige is a small Vancouver-based operation that has flown under the radar for 18…

Jon Herington

October 4, 2016 · John Heidt

Jon Herington, best known for his current work as Steely Dan’s lead guitarist, put out one of the decades’ great…

Kinga Glyk’s four-string tightrope

May 24, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Star bassist shines on “That Right There” Superstar bassist Kinga Glyk brings everything from funk-fusion virtuosity to booty-moving grooves. With…

Jimmy Leslie

From the Bay to the Swamp and Back

November 4, 2020 · John Heidt

“My intention was to do more of a singer/songwriter thing,” Jimmy Leslie says of his new CD, Surfin’ the Swamp.…

The Legendary Tones Lynch Mod

No-mod Hot Rod

April 5, 2022 · Tom Guerra

Designed for guitarist George Lynch, the Lynch Mod introduces an additional, non-permanent gain stage to the classic Marshall circuit. The…

The Vox Bobcat V90

Feral Feline

January 18, 2023 · Bob Cianci

In the Swinging ’60s, Vox guitars were all the rage, particularly among British and European players. Though stylish and visually…

The Replacements

Tim: Let It Bleed Edition

August 12, 2024 · Michael Dregni

The Mats once released a live cassette entitled The Sh*t Hits the Fans, but when it comes to deluxe editions,…

Doc Buffington’s ’48 Fender Pro Amp

Gold Bond

April 25, 2019 · Dave Hunter

Ever plugged into a well-played vintage combo, run your hands over its road-worn tweed covering – scuffed to a cashmere-like…

JHS Charlie Brown Overdrive

Beautiful Noise

October 3, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

While few guitarists get the opportunity to plug into every vintage Marshall amp and hear their distinguishing tonal characteristics, most…

Dogu Custom Electric Guitars’ MOS-01

Dogu Custom Electric Guitars’ MOS-01

This Old Strat

October 2, 2015 · Oscar Jordan

Dogu Custom Electric Guitars’ MOS-01 Price: $2,200 (list) Contact: www.actionfigurestudios.com Improving upon classic designs is a consistent theme in the…

John Pisano

John Pisano

The Godfather of Jazz Guitar

February 22, 2016 · Jim Carlton

He’s a straight-ahead jazz guitarist who wrote a smash-hit pop song that’s still yielding handsome royalties. In addition, he has…

Guild’s S-100/S-200 “Kickstand” Models

November 30, 2016 · George Gruhn

Much like several other well-known manufacturers, Guild has, through the years, changed ownership, locations, and identities. Guild was founded in…

The Legendary Tones Lynch Mod

No-mod Hot Rod

April 5, 2022 · Tom Guerra

Designed for guitarist George Lynch, the Lynch Mod introduces an additional, non-permanent gain stage to the classic Marshall circuit. The…

Frank DiBussolo

Jazz Master

January 14, 2025 · Steve Walker

Frank DiBussolo is an eight-time Grammy nominee who has been a featured soloist in the bands of Buddy Rich, Dizzy…

Carolyn Sills Combo

On the Draw

October 29, 2024 · Michael Dregni

Listening to the Carolyn Sills Combo, you might do a double-take: Is this newly fashioned country music, or a long-lost…

Joe Satriani

The Artist’s Way

January 4, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Whether orchestrating guitar instrumentals, writing comic books, or bringing his imagination to the canvas with acrylic paint, Joe Satriani has…

Lotus Pedal Designs’ Snowjob Underdrive

Lotus Pedal Designs’ Snowjob Underdrive

Love That Yellow Snow

May 10, 2016 · Michael Dregni

You may be wondering, “What in the world is an ‘underdrive’ pedal?” Good question. Well, you know the traffic-jam of…

Orangewood Guitars’ Echo 12 Live

Fresh-Squeezed Jangle

May 10, 2022 · Bob Dragich

Twelve-string sales ebb and flow in part with the popularity of a song featuring one. Orangewood Guitars aims to change…

Mark O’Connor

Virtuoso Comeback

March 4, 2022 · Pete Prown

Some musicians are multi-instrumentalists, but Mark O’Connor is something else – a multi-virtuoso. Regarded as a master on guitar, violin,…

Flamin’ Groovies

Live 1971 San Francisco

June 27, 2017 · Pete Prown

Flamin’ Groovies are best known for the ’76 power-pop gem “Shake Some Action,” but this show – recorded five years…