Gretsch Roots Collection: Jim Dandy Flat-top, Dixie 6 Guitar-Banjo

Back to the Country

December 15, 2014 · Dennis Pernu

Gretsch Roots Collection: Jim Dandy Flat-top, Dixie 6 Guitar-Banjo Price: $239 retail (Jim Dandy Flat Top) and $499 retail (Dixie…

NGM Hosts “Medieval to Metal” Exhibit

String Spectacle

August 10, 2022 · Pete Prown

The National Guitar Museum, which has toured the U.S. for more than a decade, recently opened an exhibition titled “Medieval…

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Bohemian Boho Moonshine

In The Can

June 9, 2016 · Stephen Stone

Here at VG, we see all manner of guitars – those made out of steel, graphite, even animal shells. But…

The Preston Thompson 12-Fret 000

Old Soul

July 9, 2018 · Steven Stone

Until 1928 the largest and loudest guitar in C. F. Martin’s catalog was their 12-fret 000-sized guitar. Until the OM…

Black Cat Vibe and TWA’s Triskelion Mk. II

Opposites Attract

March 31, 2017 · Pete Prown

In today’s world of proliferating boutique pedals, guitarists have a staggering array of divergent options. Case in point, the Black…

Vinnie Moore

Perpetually Exceptional

October 4, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Shred architect Vinnie Moore’s latest solo record, Double Exposure, holds the distinction of being both an instrumental solo album and…

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ARTISTS

Jack Bruce

Shadows and (Erstwhile) Short-Scale Basses

April 14, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

Veteran bassist Jack Bruce is back in action with a new album and tour. Best known for his membership in…

Charlie Ballantine

Midwest Expressive

May 21, 2019 · Pete Prown

Befitting a guitarist from America’s heartland, Charlie Ballantine’s mixes jazz, folk-rock, surf/instro, blues, pop, and country into a simmering pot…

Check This Action: Walking In Memphis

May 1, 2025 · Dan Forte

I first visited Memphis in 1990, and it struck me that radio stations played loads of music from the area.…

Have Guitar Will Travel 079 – Tim Dugger, Ray Fulcher and Drew Castle

July 8, 2022 · James Patrick Regan

Host James Patrick Regan talks with Tim Dugger, Ray Fulcher and Drew Castle for episode 79 of “Have Guitar Will…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Kramer Aluminum-Neck Basses

March 29, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

When it entered the music-instrument market in 1976, Kramer Guitars made a big splash with an aggressive marketing campaign, big-name…

Javier Batiz

January 14, 2026 · Willie G. Moseley

Mexican guitarist Javier Batiz, a teacher and inspiration to Carlos Santana and other musicians, passed away December 14 at his…

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…

Fender “Wide-Panel” Twin

The Fender “Wide-Panel” Twin

June 29, 2016 · Dave Hunter

While Fender’s high-powered 5F8-A Twin of 1958-’60 (VG, March ’09) has been much raved about in recent years, there’s a…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Warm Audio Centavo

Not Just Another Klon(E)

October 11, 2023 · Tom Guerra

Most pedal enthusiasts consider a vintage Klon Centaur the pinnacle of overdrive boxes. With originals now approaching $10,000, it makes…

Carvin’s GH24 Greg Howe Signature

Carvin’s GH24 Greg Howe Signature

Super Unleaded

July 6, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

After decades of jumping from one guitar manufacturer to another, Greg Howe recently began working with Carvin (more specifically, Kiesel)…

Durham Electronics’ ReddVerb

Durham Electronics’ ReddVerb

’Verb, Extra Saucy

March 22, 2016 · Michael Dregni

Durham Electronics’ ReddVerb Price: $219 (list) Info: www.durhamelectronics.com Take it from Redd Volkaert; good reverb is hard to find. And…

Tech 21’s Fly Rig Brit and Cali

Little Monsters

March 15, 2019 · Pete Prown

In this age of shrinking guitar rigs, Tech 21’s Fly Rig pedals show just how guitar-related technology is getting smaller…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Paul Gilbert

The Joy of Destruction

November 4, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

We’ve all been there; cruising along in the car, minding our business, soaking in cool guitar tunes when another driver…

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…

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…

Joel McIver and Black Sabbath

January 27, 2017 · Pete Prown

Black Sabbath gets the full coffee-table history treatment in this hardcover book by Joel McIver, providing excellent photos and recollections…

Pop ’N Hiss: Marshall Crenshaw’s Field Day

Jangle All the Way

April 29, 2024 · Pete Prown

Marshall Crenshaw’s brief chart run remains a bright spot of 1980s rock – effectively, the final blast of New Wave…

Best In Tone

The Marshall DSL40CR

November 10, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

In the minds of guitarists, the Marshall name verges on mythic – from Bluesbreakers to plexis, they hold a special…

Magnatone Varsity

Magnatone Varsity

Less is More, Plus

February 22, 2016 · Pete Prown

Magnatone Varsity Price: $1,699 (list); $1,799 (as tested) Contact: www.magnatoneusa.com Magnatone earned a cult of admirers in the mid 20th…

Tommy Emmanuel

May 2, 2017 · John Heidt

As the title suggests, this is a collection of performances pulled from several Public Television concerts Tommy Emmanuel has done,…

Damon Fowler Brings the Blues

June 2, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Slow and Tasty on “Taxman” Damon Fowler has shared stages with Dickey Betts and Butch Trucks, so it makes sense…

Chris Spedding

Chris Spedding

Convergence of Legends and Friends

March 23, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

The career of guitarist Chris Spedding has spanned more than four decades and included a commendable solo career, a stint…

Railhammer Hyper Vintage Humbucker

Poles Apart

October 3, 2014 · Lisa Sharken

Railhammer Hyper Vintage Humbucker Price: $139 list / $89 direct Contact: railhammer.com Developed by Joe Naylor of Reverend Guitars, Railhammers…

A Tribute to Leslie West

Various artists

December 8, 2022 · Pete Prown

Here’s a much-deserved tribute to the Mountain guitarist who died in 2020, getting his due thanks to a procession of…

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…

Les Paul

Birth of a Guitar Icon

February 27, 2004 · Gil Hembree

Fifty years ago, Gibson’s new Les Paul Model was quickly becoming one of the company’s most popular guitars, and (though…

Vox’s AC30CH and V212C Cabinet

Get Back

July 9, 2018 · Michael Dregni

The Beatles helped popularize Vox amps, and Sir Paul tours with them today because they still have that sound –…

Nat Talks Strings!

July 11, 2025 · Vintage Guitar

The Strings of Power Hey there! Nate Westgor from Willie’s American Guitars dives into the world of guitar strings, discussing…

Schertler’s JAM 150

Schertler’s JAM 150

Plays Well with Others

October 21, 2015 · Rich Maloof

Schertler’s JAM150 Price: $1,249.99 (list); $999.99 (street) Info: www.schertler.com Schertler’s JAM150 is a compact combo amp capable of pulling double-duty…

Classics – April 2021 Edition

October 13, 2021 · Ward Meeker

Like so many Vintage Guitar readers, Steve Evans was propped in front of a TV that February night in 1964…

Josh Smith

Swingin’ Hard

March 31, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Josh Smith has been very busy. When he’s not on tour or sharing production duties with Joe Bonamassa for artists…

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…

Guild Aristocrat M-75

April 7, 2010 · George Gruhn and Walter Carter

Guild didn’t intro-duce a true solidbody electric guitar until 1963, but the Aristocrat of 1954 gave the appearance that Guild…

Otis Taylor

March 30, 2017 · Oscar Jordan

Otis Taylor has no concern for your discomfort with racial issues. It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times, and…

Nioma Guitars

Rarities from a West Coast Music School

September 2, 2014 · Peter Blecha

NIOMA musical instruments from the 1930s and ’40s – with their vaguely Hawaiian-looking name – have mystified vintage-guitar enthusiasts over…

Danelectro’s Four-String Basses

January 8, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

The guitars and basses made by Danelectro in the ’60s epitomized “no frills.” And though they were considered the nadir…

Anders Osborne

Making Tracks

January 5, 2018 · John Heidt

When Anders Osborne, his band, and various friends went into the studio to work on what became Spacedust & Ocean…

Meet The GitWik

Cooperative Cognition

July 22, 2019 · Rusty Russell

When it comes to identifying guitars, basses, amps, and effects, nobody knows it all. Anyone save for the true specialist,…

Jessi Colter

Edge of Forever

October 8, 2024 · R.K. Watkins

 After husband Waylon Jennings’ death 22 years ago, Jessi Colter resumed her recording and performing career with several albums that…

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,…

Belfast Bluesman Dom Martin

January 2, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Gallagher, Buchanan Inspiration! Dom Martin grew up listening to blues-guitar legends including his Irish countryman Rory Gallagher, and has created…