• 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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Kelly Mulhollan

Divine Inspiration

May 15, 2016 · Michael Dregni

Arkansas farmer Ed Stilley was plowing his fields in 1979 when he was struck down by a heart attack; lying…

Vernon Reid

Kind of Blue

July 18, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

Vernon Reid went against the grain of rock guitarists in the 1980s, conjuring Parliament-Funkadelic, Ornette Coleman, Bad Brains, Carlos Santana,…

Mike Campbell

New Band, New Times

December 9, 2021 · Ward Meeker

Being a true rock star, Mike Campbell was never a morning guy. While living his best life amidst a pandemic,…

1982 Gibson Victory Custom

February 6, 2023 · Willie G. Moseley

When you consider their status as a last-gasp instrument made by Gibson in its waning days as a property of…

Jussi Jaakonaho

Sunburst Finnish

July 18, 2019 · Pete Prown

There’s a vibrant instro-guitar scene in Finland and among its chief architects is Jussi Jaakonaho. Well known as a producer…

Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis

Douglas K. Miller

July 2, 2025 · Bret Adams

“(Jesse Ed Davis) is the cream of the crop; he’s better than Clapton and Hendrix put together,” said Gram Parsons.…

  • 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

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.…

Wes Beech

Life in The Plasmatics

October 29, 2025 · Ward Meeker

From the moment he met Rod Swenson and Wendy O. Williams, things for Wes Beech were never really “normal.” Walking…

Eli Cook

All Over the Map

July 18, 2019 · Willie G. Moseley

Eli Cook’s seventh album, High-Dollar Gospel, is an Americana-style showcase of sounds, instrumentation, and varied tunings played on an interesting…

Jerry Miller

Back to Basics

March 3, 2017 · Wolf Marshall

Jerry Miller is back. For many he never left – especially admirers of his innovative playing with the legendary Moby…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Classics – June 2021

February 7, 2022 · Ward Meeker

Rob Harrelson’s first guitar – a Kay 1160 – entered his life as a 14th-birthday gift from his grandmother. At…

GRETSCHRANCHER-HOME-MAIN-BIG

Gretsch Rancher

October 24, 2013 · Russ Sutherland

“A spectacular model in real he-man outdoor Western finish with powerful appeal for Hill-billy and Cowboy bands.” This is how…

Stromberg G-5

May 7, 2023 · George Gruhn and Walter Carter

In the world of archtop guitars, the Stromberg name represents the ultimate instrument – in size, at least – in…

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Traynor YBA-2 Bass Mate

May 10, 2016 · Dave Hunter

Canadian amp maker Traynor gets a lot of respect in some circles for turning out solid, good-sounding tube amps that…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Falbo Alpha Series Hollowbody

Falbo Alpha Series Hollowbody

Top Dog

April 7, 2016 · Bob Dragich

Falbo Alpha Series Hollowbody Price: $3,450 (base); $6,250 (as reviewed) Info: www.falboguitars.com Frank Falbo set the acoustic guitar world on…

Guitar Tone Company’s Bloody Finger

Rugged Facelift

December 27, 2017 · Oscar Jordan

While honing his ears at Greene Street Recording Studio in New York, David Harrington was inspired to build studio-quality stompboxes.…

ESPVIPER-HOME-MAIN-BIG

ESP LTD Viper 256P

Metal Cruncher

January 26, 2013 · Pete Prown

ESP LTD Viper 256P Price: $399 (street) Info: espguitars.com. In the protoplasmic days of heavy metal, Tony Iommi slashed away…

Eastwood’s Airline Bighorn

Goin’ “Old-Store”

August 23, 2013 · Phil Feser

Most everyone has seen a department-store-catalog guitar (or two!) from the ’60s or ’70s. With their funky, cool body shapes…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Def Leppard

Diamond Star Halos

April 12, 2023 · Bret Adams

Def Leppard has always emphasized loving ’70s glam rock and protested being labeled a heavy metal band. Okay – but…

Eric Johnson

July 25, 2014 · Oscar Jordan

When Eric Johnson came to prominence, he sounded like nothing anyone had ever heard before. He made a Strat sound…

The Collings SoCo Deluxe

November 23, 2020 · Phil Feser

Whether you’re a fan of the flat-top or simply appreciate a good archtop, chances are you’re familiar with Collings Guitars.…

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…

Martin D-18 Satin

Spruce Stalwart

March 12, 2024 · Michael Shirek

Death, taxes, and spruce on mahogany. There are only so many certainties in life, and these are three. Another is…

Albert King’s THC Flying V

Coterie Complete

January 2, 2026 · Willie G. Moseley

Robert Johnson has been a fixture in the vintage-guitar community for more than a half-century. As a player and music…

Pink Floyd & The Dark Side of the Moon

Martin Popoff

March 20, 2024 · Pete Prown

This book marks the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s masterwork – composer/bassist Roger Waters’ meditation on madness set over angsty,…

Buzz and Frank Rogers

Wood, Wire, and DNA: A Dad’s Day Talk With

August 8, 2014 · Ward Meeker

Fathers and music – two of the most influential things in the lives of most guitarists. No matter if their…

Rybski Cougar

Wild Cat

December 22, 2015 · Zac Childs

Rybiski Cougar Price: $3,850 Info: www.rybskiguitars.com. Before moving to the United States, Rybski founder Slawomir Waclawik repaired and built upright…

Steve Cropper

Fired Up

March 1, 2022 · Michael Dregni

When you think of guitar heroes, Steve Cropper may not be on top of the list. Not one for spangled…

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…

Dan Wilson

Akron’s Finest

April 28, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

On Things Eternal, jazz-guitar wizard Dan Wilson fuses post-bop, spirituality, and the songs of Stevie Wonder into a satisfying musical…

Boulou & Elios Ferré

Fathers & Sons

December 6, 2024 · Michael Dregni

 Alongside Django Reinhardt, the music of the Ferré family is at the heart of Gypsy jazz. And it’s still beating…

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…

Fender Harvard

April 7, 2016 · Dave Hunter

Given the current craze for semi-small “home” and “recording” amps, Fender’s 5F10 Harvard of 1955-’60 could be the ideal tweed…

Two Tickets to the Top

Keeley Electronics’ Katana and Flexi 4×2

March 1, 2021 · Art Department

Any gearhead who’s been paying attention the last seven years knows the name Robert Keeley. Since 2001, he and his…

Electrifying Sounds of Post-War Guitar

Road to Rock

The Electrifying Sounds of Post-War Guitar

March 10, 2016 · Pete Prown

Fans often mark the beginning of rock and roll as either Elvis Presley’s Sun Sessions or Bill Haley & the…

Magnatone X-5 Zephyr

Last Gasp

June 14, 2023 · Michael Wright

Ever since Lonnie Mack unleashed The Wham of That Memphis Man and Buddy Holly sang “Peggy Sue,” Magnatone amplifiers have…

Reverend Descent H90 Baritone

Deep Twang

July 13, 2016 · Pete Prown

Electric baritones have increased in popularity for the last 20 years. Filling the gap between standard-tuned electric guitar and bass,…

Epiphone Joe Bonamassa “Treasure” Firebird I

Sweet Bird

March 15, 2019 · Pete Prown

One thing fans like most about Joe Bonamassa is that, in addition to his bluesy chops, he’s a guitar nut…

Brian Setzer

Sparking Another Rockabilly Riot

August 15, 2014 · Michael Dregni

Three decades, umpteen records, and several stellar bands into his career, and Brian Setzer still makes rockabilly sound fresh and…

Pat Metheny

Road To The Sun

February 9, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

Jazz guitar visionary Metheny is so admired he gets other people to perform his music. Road To The Sun features…

Classics: Tommy Castro’s ’66 Fender Stratocaster

December 12, 2025 · Ward Meeker

Tommy Castro has never been much for sitting with a guitar teacher, preferring instead to rely on good ol’ time…

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…

The Metallica Blacklist Album

Various artists

September 12, 2022 · Pete Prown

Conquering the charts 30 years ago with their “black album,” Metallica has become the global ambassador for heavy metal –…

Envious Omissions

A Custom-Order Gretsch 6196

November 9, 2017 · Preston Gratiot

Gretsch aficionados know the adage – “Clubs have holes and a Gentleman don’t!” With this guitar, though, somebody messed with…

Jake Shimabukuro

Ukulele Hero

August 29, 2022 · Dan Forte

It’s one of the most unlikely success stories in music. Armed with a four-string tenor ukulele, a young Hawaiian videos…

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…

2022 May Issue on Spotify

May 5, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

This month we feature Steve Vai, Edgar Winter, Joe Satriani, Del McCoury, Gregg Wright, Sam Williams, John Mayall, Eric Clapton,…