• Duke Robillard – Lowdown

    Duke Robillard – Lowdown

    Vintage Guitar is happy to offer the premier of the new music video by Grammy nominee Duke Robillard. “Lowdown” is the  first single from his upcoming album, Blast Off!, set…

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  • 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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Classics: May 2022

“Wild” Jimmy Spruill’s ’66 Fender Jaguar

January 9, 2023 · Ward Meeker

Wilbert Harrison’s 1959 version of Leiber and Stoller’s “Kansas City” shares space at the summit of all-time blues/pop classics, its…

Classics: Larkin Poe

American Gothic

September 25, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

The latest album from Grammy-nominated axe-slinging sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell is a showcase of artists rising to new heights.…

Albert Cummings

Genre-Free

April 27, 2023 · Sean McDevitt

Albert Cummings’ new album, Ten, carries a simple title while serving as an easy way to count discography entries, but…

Carr Bel-Ray 1×12

Brit-Based Invasion

December 23, 2024 · Charlie Wilkins

Carr Amplifiers are renowned for their build quality and vintage-inspired tones. Not one to rest on his laurels, founder Steve…

Jeff Beck

August 2, 2016 · Pete Prown

Since the late ’90s, Jeff Beck has been fusing equal parts blues, jazz-rock, and heavy-duty electronica; this time he’s added…

Tokai Talbo

March 7, 2022 · Michael Wright

For aficionados of copy guitars – replicas of mostly American classics that give U.S. manufacturers apoplectic fits – perhaps no…

  • 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…

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ARTISTS

Freddie Green

Artistry in Rhythm

December 5, 2024 · Jim Carlton

Fellow musicians called him “Pep” or “Pepperhead.” He was also known as “Mr. Rhythm,” and he could drive a band…

Greg Martin honors Dickey Betts

August 29, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Tribute licks Kentucky Headhunters co-founder Greg Martin was a senior in high school when he first heard the Allman Brothers…

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…

Greg Koch

Making It Work

May 4, 2022 · John Heidt

The latest release from guitar master Greg Koch is From the Up’Nuh with his son, Dylan, on drums and B3-whiz…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Home Feature Image

Buddy Holly’s ’58 Magnatone 280

1958 Magnatone Custom 280

May 13, 2016 · Dave Hunter

When guitarists talk tremolo or vibrato, you can bet the magnificent Magnatone amps will find their way into the conversation.…

BASSMAN-HOME-MAIN-THUMB

1964 Fender Bassman

February 17, 2016 · Dave Hunter

1964 Fender 6G6-B Bassman Preamp tubes: four 7025 (12AX7 types) Output tubes: two 5881 (a more-rugged 6L6 type), fixed-bias Rectifier:…

Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander

Sworn Gunslinger

July 31, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Grand Ole Opry member, CMA, ACM, and Grammy winner Jimmy Olander is one of the most-admired players in country music.…

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…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

EHX Cock Fight and Key9

Pedalin’ To The Past

July 5, 2018 · Pete Prown

When it comes to sweet retro tones, the wizards at Electro-Harmonix (EHX) have been busy again, turning out a fresh…

St. Blues Scoundrel

St. Blues Scoundrel

Walking the Dog

May 2, 2015 · Rich Maloof

St. Blues Scoundrel Price: $1,898 (list)/$1,349 (street) Contact: www.saintblues.com Intended as a versatile instrument for the player with a budget…

Charvel Pro-Mod So-Cal Style 1 FR E HSS

Ultimate Hod Rod

May 13, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Designed more than 30 years ago, the latest incarnation of Charvel’s Pro-Mod So-Cal keeps the “super” in superstrat. An eye-catching,…

Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone 2

See The Light

May 8, 2025 · Pete Prown

Optical compressors are known for making guitars sound smooth and musical – a truth well-captured in the latest Pigtronix offering,…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Michael Manring

Bass Convergence

November 7, 2025 · Willie G. Moseley

Most music fans who learn that the eclectic trio 3Below is all bass players will react with, “You gotta be…

Steve Cropper

Homage to Lowman Pauling

May 12, 2014 · Michael Dregni

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

Fender’s Mid-’50s Precision Bass

The "In-Between" Version

January 12, 2010 · Willie G. Moseley

In the world of electric basses, the 1952 Fender Precision is the one that started it all. While it’s true…

Weymann Model 848

Mail-Order Rara Avis

October 8, 2019 · George Gruhn

From 1864 through the 1940s, H.A. Weymann and Son, Inc. made, imported, and sold marching band, orchestral, percussion, and other…

Heart

August 30, 2016 · Michael Dregni

Heart is beating hard again. It’s been four years since Ann and Nancy Wilson’s last release, but the sisters are…

Fender Mike McCready Strat

Evener Flow

August 27, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Mike McCready’s beat up sunburst ’60s Strat looms large in the history of grunge; heard on Pearl Jam’s illustrious body…

Ram Tuli Crunches Numbers for The Guide

Strats and Data

June 11, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Combine a knack for numbers with a love of old guitars and you get… well, you might get any of…

Michael Schenker

Temple Of Rock

January 22, 2015 · Oscar Jordan

Michael Schenker has had the kind of stormy past that could give Keith Richards a run for his money. He…

Kiko Loureiro

Kiko Loureiro

Metal-Fusion From Brazil

January 12, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

“When I would play with musicians from the neighborhood, I noticed that my passion for Brazilian music was making me…

Babicz Octave Blue Flame

Flaming Glory

December 29, 2010 · Chip Wilson

When a vintage-minded guitarist recollects cracking open the case of a big ol’ hollowbody and catching a glimpse of flame,…

Home Feature Image

Fender Custom Colors in the 1960s

Misty Lakes, Foamy Shores

January 2, 2017 · Andre R. Duchossoir

In the 1950s, America’s fascination with the automobile was running at a fever pitch. The booming economy of the country’s…

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…

The Move, Santana, Derringer

Under the Radar

May 2, 2017 · Pete Prown

Sometimes great bands and albums don’t bubble to the surface of fame, depriving fans of brilliant music. The Move is…

Gibson GA-200 Rhythm King Vintage Guitar magazine

Gibson GA-200 Rhythm King

July 9, 2015 · Dave Hunter

Preamp tubes: two 12AX7, one 12AY7, two 6BJ8, two 6SK7, one 6V6 (used as a voltage divider) Output tubes: two…

Snowy White

British Blues Deluxe

April 27, 2023 · Pete Prown

There’s a reason Pink Floyd, Thin Lizzy, and Roger Waters secured the services of Snowy White – his extraordinarily soulful…

Jim Lauderdale

Hope

July 22, 2022 · Rich Kienzle

Inspired by the pandemic, veteran singer/songwriter Lauderdale stresses resiliency and renewal on these 13 originals, enhanced along the way by…

Mel Bay D’Aquisto

Teacher’s Aid

March 28, 2019 · George Gruhn

Melbourne “Mel” Bay (1913-1997) began his musical career at the age of 13 in his hometown of Bunker, Missouri. Largely…

Classics: December 2023

Cliff Antone’s 1952 Fender Precision

August 15, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Texas is known for music, especially Austin, which in the mid ’70s became a hotbed thanks to clubs like Armadillo…

Them Vibes

Electric Fever

June 27, 2017 · John Heidt

Nashville band Them Vibes latest recalls rock’s past without sounding dated or cliché. Much of the reason for that is…

Collings OM1 T

Faultless Flat-Top?

January 8, 2018 · Steven Stone

To the hands, hearts, and minds of many an experienced guitarist, an OM-size body with a 25.5″ scale feels the…

Danny Kortchmar

Family Reunion

September 7, 2022 · Pete Prown

Fifty years ago, singer/songwriters like James Taylor, Carole King, and Jackson Browne were busy conquering the rock charts; behind them,…

Rocky Athas

Livin’ My Best Life

May 2, 2025 · Dan Forte

Hailing from the Dallas neighborhood of Oak Cliff, home of T-Bone Walker and the Vaughan brothers, Athas falls closest to…

Lyle Workman

Orchestral Maneuvers

October 14, 2021 · Pete Prown

You might not recognize his name, but in the last 30 years, Lyle Workman and his guitars have backed Sting,…

Pop ’N Hiss: Santana’s Caravanserai

Pageant of Enlightenment

November 4, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

By the summer of 1971, 24-year-old Carlos Santana and his band – Neal Schon on guitar, drummer Michael Shrieve, Gregg…

Mike Vernon

July 26, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

Surf-Guitar Ace Mike Vernon Chills on “Lucky Boy” Surf-instro revivalist Mike Vernon grabbed his (semi-hollow) Gretsch Tennessee Rose (with flatwounds)…

Del Casher

“Papa of the Wah-Wah” Marks Its 50 Years

April 26, 2019 · Dave Hunter

The wah pedal is one of the most widely used effects in popular music, employed by artists playing rock, blues,…

Chris Stein

Blondie’s Guitar Basher

April 25, 2019 · Greg Prato

While Blondie’s Chris Stein won’t be mistaken for a shredder soloist, there’s no debate he’s an underrated rhythm guitarist and…

Benjamin Kushner

Soul Patrol

September 1, 2023 · Pete Prown

Drawing from a vast well of American R&B and soul, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal deliver powerhouse sounds from their…

Selmer Modele Jazz and Stimer M.10 Amp

Electricfying Early Jazz

March 6, 2015 · Michael Dregni

In the 1930s, the quest for volume was the Holy Grail of guitar construction, as guitarists sought instruments to slice…