The “Conversion” Les Paul

The “Conversion” Les Paul

Myth, Magic – and Mojo!

June 21, 2016 · Pete Prown

One of the more intriguing topics in guitardom is the Gibson Les Paul “conversion.” What is it? Most of the…

1940- 2024

Phil Lesh

September 8, 2025 · Pete Prown

The rock world was saddened to learn of bassist Phil Lesh’s death on October 25, at age 84. Perhaps the…

Yes

Live at Knoxville Civic Auditorium, November 15, 1972

April 24, 2024 · Pete Prown

This concert tape captures Yes on its triumphant autumn ’72 tour. Even 51 years later, it’s scintillating prog featuring hallowed…

B.C. Rich Acrylic Warlock

August 7, 2023 · Michael Wright

Most industries know a great idea when they see it and aren’t shy about jumping on a bandwagon. In 1969,…

Eugene Edwards

Outlaw Twang, Rockabilly Swagger

July 2, 2019 · Johnny Zapp

Country music icon Dwight Yoakam employs one of the hardest-working bands on the road today. A quintet including Yoakam, they’re…

Ralph Towner, John Abercrombie Quartet, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Dewa Budjana

Fusion Heros

February 27, 2017 · Pete Prown

The ECM label is renowned for its brand of atmospheric jazz-fusion highlighted by gorgeous audio quality. Two of its guitar…

  •  VG Q&A: Harmony History

     VG Q&A: Harmony History

    And an Archtop Mystery

    I recently received two guitars as gifts and am trying to learn more about them. The first is a Harmony I believe is from the early ’70s. Its serial number…

    Read more >>

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ARTISTS

Dave Specter

Chicago Deep Dish

October 4, 2022 · Pete Prown

There are many styles of blues guitar, from haunting Delta acoustic to volcanic blues-rock. Hailing from the mecca of Chicago,…

Scott Holiday

Reflection and Escapism in Rival Sons

June 10, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

On the new album by Rival Sons, guitarist Scott Holiday brings a power punch to the band’s most-potent album to…

Steinar Karlsen

Nordic Surf Slinger

March 2, 2017 · Pete Prown

Scandinavia is no stranger to good “instro” music. The past 60 years have produced guitar-fueled legends like the Spotnicks (Sweden),…

Toy Caldwell Jim Summaria, http://www.jimsummariaphoto.com

Toy Caldwell

Marine and Marshall Tucker Guitarist Toy Caldwell

November 10, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

One of the earliest VG interviews Willie G. Moseley did with a veteran “Southern rock” musician was a conversation with…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Martin 000-30

December 23, 2009 · George Gruhn

When a guitar maker introduces an innovative new feature at the same time an appealing, existing feature is being discontinued,…

Gibson GA-80T Vari-Tone

May 6, 2015 · Dave Hunter

In the late ’50s and early ’60s, Gibson was apparently convinced the Vari-Tone switch was the way of the future,…

Stromberg Master 400

Stromberg Master 400

July 7, 2005 · George Gruhn

The Stromberg Master 400, measuring a gigantic 19″, is considered by many to be the ultimate orchestral rhythm guitar. The…

The Vox/Thomas Organ V-8 Berkeley Super Reverb

Organ Transplant

March 7, 2023 · Dave Hunter

Most fans of classic British guitar amplifiers have heard the tale of how the great all-tube Vox models of the…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Bray Coco 50

Feelin’ Brown

October 28, 2024 · Charlie Wilkins

Eddie Van Halen’s “brown sound” is, for many players, the Holy Grail of guitar tone. Featured on his band’s 1978,…

Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic

Cool Player, Punk Heart

November 5, 2013 · Sean OBryan Smith

Few punk-rock guitarists have made their mark like Tim Armstrong. Through his work with renowned punkers Rancid, Armstrong has torn…

Supro’s Dual-Tone 1624T, Coronado 1690T

Supro’s Dual-Tone 1624T, Coronado 1690T

1964 All Over Again

January 24, 2016 · Michael Dregni

Supro’s Dual-Tone 1624T, Coronado 1690T Price: $1,595 (Dual-Tone[LEFT]); $1,795 (Coronado) Contact: www.suprousa.com If there was a time machine handy to…

Eastwood La Baye 2x4 Devo Signature Model

Eastwood La Baye 2×4 Devo Signature Model

Whip It Good

July 7, 2016 · Pete Prown

For decades, guitarists have lovingly referred to their solidbody guitars as “planks.” In the mid ’60s, a small builder called…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Reverend Freakchild

Songs Of Beauty For Ashes Of Realization

June 20, 2024 · Dan Forte

Though its nine tracks revisit and rearrange originals from his 16 albums, the Reverend’s latest project is as ambitious as…

Dallas Perkins dazzles on “Mexican Puppets”

March 14, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Dallas Perkins: Elemental Experiments Progressive-rock shredder Dallas Perkins brings it with “Mexican Puppets,” a track from his new instrumental album,…

Traynor’s Darkhorse DH15H

Canadian Bakin’

August 5, 2015 · Phil Feser

Hugely popular in its native Canada, Traynor amps are a formidable force from north of the 49th parallel and its…

Ron Jackson: Standards and Originals

May 23, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

Warm, Inviting Jazz a la Montgomery and Benson Jazz guitarist Ron Jackson is a specialist on the seven-string. Here, he…

BILLY F GIBBONS-HOME-MAIN-BIG

Billy F Gibbons

Return of the Revvvv

April 22, 2020 · Willie G. Moseley

Every time Vintage Guitar sets up an interview with the redoubtable Billy F Gibbons, lead guitarist/vocalist of the legendary Texas…

Have Guitar Will Travel 092 – Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters)

February 26, 2024 · James Patrick Regan

In this episode, host James Patrick Regan catches up with Chris Shiflett to discuss his latest solo album, working with…

Brian Tarquin

Music, Books, and Bookings

July 2, 2019 · John Heidt

Brian Tarquin is thriving in “steady as ya’ go” mode. Since his VG  interview in February ’15, he has released…

Kentucky Colonels

1966

May 13, 2024 · Pete Prown

Clarence White is best known as the B-bendin’ Telecaster pioneer with the Byrds – and his tragic 1973 death. But…

Ibanez Artcore Expressionist AM93QM

Semi-Hollow Magic

May 13, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

There comes a time in a guitarist’s life when one becomes hollowbody curious, and semi-hollow guitars are often the gateway…

Chris Jack

The Routes: Psychedelic Faithful

April 14, 2020 · Johnny Zapp

The Routes embody all the best elements of the ’60s psychedelic-rock scene. Based in Japan and fronted by British-born guitarist…

Louis Electric 6L6-183 Cobra

Humble, Capital D

May 8, 2025 · Dave Hunter

One glance at the control panel and cabinet styling of the Louis Electric 6L6-183 Cobra is all most will need…

Steve Wariner

The C.G.P. Connection

May 14, 2012 · Willie G. Moseley

Steve Wariner is among the handful of guitarists designated as a certified guitar player (C.G.P.) by Chet Atkins. The last…

Stromberg Master 400

August 9, 2017 · George Gruhn

Considered by many to be the ultimate orchestral rhythm guitar, these very rare instruments are among the most sought-after, and…

Bryson Willoughby

Mojo Thunder’s Collective Consciousness

June 25, 2025 · Oscar Jordan

Kentucky’s favorite alternative Southern rockers, Mojo Thunder, extrapolate fresh ideas from disparate genres to produce an album as passionate as…

Eddie Cochran’s Gretsch 6120

Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got that Twang

August 10, 2022 · Michael Dregni

One night in the late 1950s, Eddie Cochran set the world alight onstage in the City of Angels. Though the…

Frank Gambale Vintage Guitar magazine

Frank Gambale

Soulmine

December 11, 2013 · Oscar Jordan

Frank Gambale has had an amazing career playing the music he loves. From being the go-to guy for sweep-picking, and…

Quest for Volume

Django Reinhardt's Selmer #503

April 15, 2020 · Michael Dregni

Revolutionary jazz demanded a revolutionary jazz guitar. In the summer of 1935, just as his Quintette du Hot Club de…

Iconix Pickups Black Mass

Michigan Metal

July 9, 2018 · Chip Wilson

Michigan may have given us the automobile production line, but Troy-based Iconix Pickups is the antithesis of an assembly line…

Mike Campbell

Fat-Free Rock and Roll

March 30, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

On External Combustion, Mike Campbell pours on the boogie, pens spellbinding ditties, and leans into a live sound. With ancestral…

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PureSalem Bette

Unfiltered Garage Rock

June 10, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

If you’ve ever worked in the music retail field, you know that not everybody shares your excellent taste in guitars.…

Cliff Goodwin, Solo

December 1, 2023 · Ward Meeker

Joe Cocker alum plays “Leap of Faith,” Cliff Goodwin was Joe Cocker’s guitarist for a decade and has also backed…

Dave Stewart

Six-Strings, Studios, and Songs

March 8, 2016 · Ward Meeker

Guitarists often cite instruments as sources of inspiration. For musician, songwriter, and producer Dave Stewart, it wasn’t a ’57 Strat…

Bayou Guitarworks Hardware

May 10, 2022 · Johnny Zapp

Players often buy a factory aged guitar and swap the plastics and hardware to more accurately represent the overall aesthetic.…

Boss Box 40

Throwback Three-Fer

May 30, 2019 · Rich Maloof

For players of a certain vintage, there’s something gratifying about an old-school compact Boss pedal at your feet. Even with…

Seth Lee Jones

Pedal Pusher

July 27, 2022 · Pete Prown

Thanks to giants like Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, and Sonny Landreth, we’re living in a golden age of bottleneck guitar,…

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…

Acoustic Remedy’s ClimaStand Display Case

Open and Shut

March 18, 2014 · Phil Feser

Acoustic Remedy ClimaStand Price: $899 (walnut) Info: www.acousticremedycases.com Most players have at least one guitar they would like to display…

EHX J Mascis Ram’s Head Big Muff Pi

Always On

July 28, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

When Electro-Harmonix heard that guitarist J Mascis’ prized Deluxe Big Muff Pi was stolen years ago, they decided to make…

Phil “Big Dez” Fernandez

Blues Is Everywhere

April 30, 2021 · Rick Allen

6’2″/300-pound Phil “Big Dez” Fernandez is an international emissary of the blues. The French-born son of a Bosnian mother and…