• Super PickupGiveaway 2025

    Super PickupGiveaway 2025

    Win Big! 11 Sets! 11 Winners! Win a set of pickups from one of these sponsors: Deadline is March 15, 2026. Complete the survey below to enter giveaway. One entry…

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Eric Johnson

Acoustic Resonance

March 11, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

On Eric Johnson’s new – and first all-acoustic album – EJ, the guitarist takes a break from the intervallic inventions…

Dave Davies

Dave Davies

Personal Songs and Power Chords

March 28, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

For more than a half-century, the world has known of guitarist Dave Davies and his raucous electric sound, thanks to…

Mike Keneally

Uncommon Knowledge

February 2, 2024 · Pete Prown

For 35 years, Mike Keneally has been a go-to sideman for icons like Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani,…

Graham Dechter

Post-War Perfection

October 4, 2022 · Pete Prown

Since his debut at age 19, Graham Dechter has rekindled a post-war jazz sound, effortlessly swinging and always in the…

Check This Action: A Year In Their Life

November 7, 2025 · Dan Forte

Recently, I stumbled onto one of those “reaction” videos by a New Zealander named Courtney, who wasn’t sure if she’d…

Demeter FZO-1 Fuzzy Octavulator

Demeter FZO-1 Fuzzy Octavulator

Fuzz Flavors

October 24, 2014 · Zac Childs

James Demeter has a long history in the amp and effects biz. His project-boxed/Dymo-labeled Tremulator pedal pre-dates the ’90s boutique…

  • Rickenbacker’s Electric 12-Strings

    Rickenbacker’s Electric 12-Strings

    Double-bound for Glory

    George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacher founded Electro String in 1931 to manufacture what everyone would soon call “Rickenbacker” guitars. Success came early and their lap steels set standards of quality,…

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ARTISTS

Peter Stroud Keeps His Feet, and Keeps Movin’

On “10,” As Always

August 1, 2017 · Ward Meeker

He has played with Dreams So Real, Pete Droge, Don Henley, and Sheryl Crow. It’s the latter gig that occupies…

Pepper Keenan

Down with CoC

February 27, 2018 · Greg Prato

It’s difficult enough to be a member of one metal band, let alone two. But Pepper Keenan is pulling double-duty…

Steve Cropper

Homage to Lowman Pauling

August 5, 2015 · Michael Dregni

All but forgotten today, with his low-slung guitar, stylish rhythm licks, and tasty leads, Lowman Pauling was one of the…

Ronnie Earl

Redemption, Reconciliation, and Reinvention

March 31, 2017 · Bob Dragich

Ronnie Earl is one of the most prolific blues guitarists working today. And though his solo career now spans almost…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Nick Moss – clean and tasty on “Scratch N Sniff”

October 27, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Instro-rock, fully greased Get ready to have your funtime socks knocked off, ‘cuz this exclusive Nick Moss run through “Scratch…

Tommy Castro

Circling Back

December 12, 2025 · Ward Meeker

In a career spanning four decades, Tommy Castro has crafted a commendable catalog and built a devout following with his…

Gretsch 7680 Super Axe

December 6, 2021 · Michael Wright

Most of us are – or should be – aware of the enormous contributions of the late Chet Atkins, the…

Burke Guitar

Axe That Time Forgot

June 15, 2023 · Ward Meeker

For more than 70 years, aluminum has been a component in guitar construction. Exactly whose idea it was originally has…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

DoleSonic Half Back Stack

Tone Meets Crafts-manship

December 12, 2013 · Sean OBryan Smith

Shaw Audio Bass 130 Price: $1,350 Contact: www.tremcaster.com, phone: (330) 608-2043 In a day where gear companies often focus on…

Eastwood RD Artist

RD Our Lips

July 9, 2018 · Pete Prown

Issued during Gibson’s infamous “Norlin era,” the original RD Artist has become surprisingly collectible over the years, thanks to its…

Genzler Acoustic Array Pro

Pro on the Go

July 23, 2019 · Pete Prown

As gigs at coffeehouses, street festivals, and farmers’ markets become more common, a growing legion of performers is being supported…

Lovepedal Purple Plexi

Glory & Overtones

February 9, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Fans of guitarists with superb tones routinely spot Lovepedal boxes on pedalboards in almost every music genre. From their early…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Ty Tabor’s Six-String Meditation!

June 29, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

King’s X Guitarists’s solo work is mindful, complex Ty Tabor used his Player Strat (with a JB Jr. pickup at…

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…

Lance Lopez

Hard-Time Music

August 8, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Several years after being liberated from Supersonic Blues Machine, Lance Lopez is back and better than ever. Wielding hard lessons…

Eric Gales

Journey to Love

October 4, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

The latest from Eric Gales features the production talents of Joe Bonamassa, Josh Smith, and a face-melting guitar duel, but…

The Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic Center-Block

The Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic Center-Block

Gettin’ Gainy

May 13, 2016 · Bob Dragich

The Gretsch G5655T-CB Electromatic Center-Block Price: $1,275.00 (list); $899.00 (street) Contact: www.gretschguitars.com It’s no secret that hollowbodies don’t excel in…

SoloDallas Schaffer Replica Tower

Instant Angus

December 6, 2021 · Michael Dregni

There should be a hall of fame of gear that’s famous for “lateral applications” – that is, features and functions…

Vintage Guitar magazine Namm 2017

Winter NAMM 2017

January 23, 2017 · Vintage Guitar

Experience Winter NAMM 2017 with James Patrick Regan (1 of 42). Experience Winter NAMM 2017 with James Patrick Regan Experience…

Pop ’N Hiss: The Police’s Synchronicity

Sonic Stamp

June 5, 2025 · Bret Adams

“Going out on top” is a common sentiment among artists and athletes hoping to end their careers at their best…

PRS Alex Lifeson Signature

PRS Alex Lifeson Signature

Grand Designs

March 23, 2016 · Steven Stone

PRS Alex Lifeson Signature Price: $8,999 (list) Contact: www.prsguitars.com What do you call the most beautifully made production acoustic you’ve…

2024 May Issue on Spotify

May 9, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

This month we feature Gary Clark, Jr., The Beatles, Deep Purple, Johnny A, Scott Hebderson, Kinga Glyk, D.K. Harrell, Frank…

Yamaha Image

December 26, 2013 · Michael Wright

Some years back, an insurance company promoted itself as “the quiet company.” While they probably wouldn’t like to hear it,…

Benson Model 300H

Wrecking Ball

January 6, 2023 · Dave Hunter

Even with all the excellent guitar amps available by the late ’60s, nothing was quite good enough for jazz and…

Roine Stolt

Progressive Double-Duty

February 3, 2022 · Pete Prown

If you want to see a hard-working guitar ace, look no further than Roine Stolt, who has been going non-stop…

The Creation

Biff Bang Pow!

May 2, 2017 · Rich Kienzle

Hard as it seems to imagine, there are U.K. bands of the ’60s who’ve remained obscure and unsung despite increasingly…

Home Feature Image

Buzz Feiten

Unsung Hero

May 1, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

An unsung hero, accomplished inventor, and builder possessing priceless musical knowledge, Buzz Feiten’s list of session credits could fill a…

Goodtone Roadrage PD, Mad Professor Golden Cello

Secret Weapons

October 21, 2014 · Tom Guerra

Goodtone Roadrage PD, Mad Professor Golden Cello Price: $155 Info: www.goodtone.com. Goodtone Amps builder Norm Matthews has a rep for…

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…

Tech 21’s SansAmp Classic

Right The First Time

March 4, 2022 · Pete Prown

Every so often, new gear arrives that reminds us all how some builders got it right the first time –…

Home Feature Image

ToneConcepts’ The Distillery

100-Proof Tone

February 5, 2015 · Oscar Jordan

While many pedal makers tinker away on effects that exhibit their personal tonal philosophies, the fact is that most don’t…

Freddie King’s Gibson ES-345 Keeps on Playin’

Family Ties

May 29, 2019 · Ward Meeker

Watching her baby boy become rapt whenever his grandma played country blues on her guitar, Ella May King had a…

Cliff Goodwin

Double Trouble

July 11, 2024 · Pete Prown

Veteran rocker Cliff Goodwin has worked with everyone from Joe Cocker to Robert Palmer in a long, 4/4-heavy career. Now…

Jazz singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding performing at the North Sea Jazz festival 2012 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Photo: JBreeschoten/Wikimedia.

Esperanza Spalding

May 15, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

Popularly known as that cute female jazz bassist with the Afro who bogarted the Best New Artist Grammy away from…

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,…

Scott Sharrard’s fiery slide!

August 28, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Little Feat ace plays outro from “You’ll Be Mine” In case you’re wondering how Scott Sharrard got the gig wearing…

Noshir Mody’s Elegant Flow

December 1, 2023 · Doug Yellow Bird

 Contemporary-jazzer sets the mood with “The Yards” Noshir Mody’s new album, “A Love Song,” is highlighted by his elegant…

Fire Custom Shop Sweet Chilli and Carpe Diem Overdrives

Brazilian Heat

April 19, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

There are some nifty analog effects pedals coming out of São Paulo, Brazil, nowadays, and among them, Fire Custom Shop…

Eric Clapton

A Return To The Crossroads: Slowhand Meets Mr. Johnson

January 30, 2020 · Lisa Sharken

In many ways, 2004 marks a return to the crossroads for Eric Clapton. With his latest disc, Me And Mr.…

EarthQuaker Devices’ Erupter

Bring The Fuzz

April 24, 2019 · Zac Childs

EarthQuaker Devices is one of the most admired pedal builders today, thanks to their original designs that feature tweakable controls…

Gibson Johnny Smith

June 29, 2015 · George Gruhn

In 1961, Gibson’s Johnny Smith model not only associated Gibson with one of the most popular guitar stylists of the…