• 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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Jerry Douglas

Resophonic Resonance

September 5, 2025 · Oscar Jordan

Dobro master Jerry Douglas’ first solo album in seven years, The Set mixes old and new compositions painting gorgeous rural…

Six-String Kicks

Six-String Kicks

Wood from Famed Bowling Alley Set to Sing

March 31, 2016 · Ward Meeker

Few things scratch America’s cumulative itch for nostalgia like Route 66 – the famed wagon-trail-cum-highway that offered passage to those…

Fred Newell

Fred Newell

Steelin’ Away

March 31, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

Guitarist Fred Newell’s best-known gig – as a member of the house band on “Nashville Now” – ended more than…

Gibson Grenada Five-string

Gibson Grenada Five-string

April 13, 2016 · George Gruhn

The Gibson Granada five-string banjo is primarily known for being played by Earl Scruggs, who had an enormous impact on…

Susanna Hoffs

The Deep End

March 16, 2024 · Bret Adams

The Bangles vocalist/rhythm guitarist’s fifth solo album is a folk-enriched blend of covers by classic and contemporary artists, enlivened by…

Have Guitar Will Travel – 021 Featuring Jake Shimabukuro

January 10, 2020 · James Patrick Regan

In the new episode of “Have Guitar Will Travel,” host James Patrick Regan speaks with ukulele artist Jake Shimabukuro, who talks…

  •  Reverend Sensei H90

     Reverend Sensei H90

    Live Wire

    So you want a Gibson-style solidbody that can cover humbucker-powered rock, yet also twangier/glassier tones using a P-90 pickup. Check. You also want to grab high frets via double-cutaway and…

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ARTISTS

Robert Randolph

The Sacred Steel, Family, and SRV

January 3, 2014 · Ward Meeker

Living testament to the versatility of the pedal-steel guitar and a rarity in pop music, Robert Randolph adroitly addresses 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…

The (Way) Back Beat: A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody

Fretted cheesecake advertising through the years, Part One

April 5, 2024 · Peter Stuart Kohman

There are many ways for an advertiser to attract attention, and in the history of 19th- and 20th-century print hucksterisim…

Noah Zacharin: Seriously Agile Fingerstyle

February 29, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

“Lester Brown” Live From The Big Lonely From his home in a forest between Ottawa and Toronto, singer/songwriter/fingerpicker Noah Zacharin…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

100 Years of Boston’s MFA

Playable Exhibits

May 9, 2019 · Michael Wright

Musical instruments – guitars – present an interesting philosophical dichotomy. On one hand, they’re utilitarian objects whose very purpose –…

1963 Fender Twin Reverb Prototype

1963 Fender Twin Reverb Prototype

July 7, 2016 · Dave Hunter

The Twin has long been the flagship of Fender’s high-wattage amp lineup, and it achieved/retained that status through several iterations…

Rickenbacker 4005

November 24, 2020 · Willie G. Moseley

California’s Rickenbacker guitar company has a tradition of things a bit differently. One of the earliest electric guitars was their…

Rickenbacker 345

January 2, 2024 · George Gruhn

Rickenbacker guitars have a look, feel, and sound that is remarkably distinct from those made by any other manufacturers. In…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Sturdy and “Purdy”

Dashboards Pedalboards

January 9, 2015 · Tom Guerra

Founded in 2010 by guitarist Ashley Dasher and based on his vision of the ideal touring pedalboard, Dashboards offers well-crafted,…

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…

“Tremolo” Trio

Three new approaches to replacement vibrato systems

June 24, 2020 · Phil Feser

Three new aftermarket vibrato systems for common double- and single-cutaway solidbody guitars offer the convenience of “drop in” installation. Each…

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…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Billy Sheehan

Back to Big

April 24, 2019 · Greg Prato

Though there’s no denying Billy Sheehan’s exceptional technical talents on the bass, he has always kept sight on the importance…

Lipe Guitars Maestro

Lipe Guitars Maestro

Whole Lotta Mahogany

February 2, 2015 · Zac Childs

Lipe Maestro Price: $4,900 Contact: lipeguitars.com; phone (818) 352-6212 Mike Lipe has a wall of gold records. Why? Not because…

In Memoriam: Anthony Klassen

November 13, 2023 · Ward Meeker

Anthony R. Klassen, a guitar builder and founder of New Era Guitars, passed away December 13 at his home in…

Walter Trout

Walter Trout

Battling Back

August 24, 2015 · Willie G. Moseley

In his decades of playing, Walter Trout has served as lead guitarist for John Mayall and Canned Heat, and forged…

Washburn’s Warren Haynes Signature Acoustic

New “Pre-War” Picker

August 20, 2014 · Steven Stone

Washburn’s Warren Haynes Signature Acoustic Price: $1,899 (Dream Solo 1 combo); $3,995 (Dream Solo 4 head); $699 (Switchback 112) Info:…

Chris Shiflett

Lost at Sea

December 6, 2024 · Rich Kienzle

Rock icons have made forays into country since the Everly Brothers paved the way in the ’50s, followed by Duane…

Jimi Hendrix Experience

Live in Maui

December 9, 2021 · Pete Prown

This 1970 performance was contrived for Rainbow Bridge, a hippie movie that flopped. The gig itself was faintly ridiculous, as…

Doobies, Brothers

A Discussion with Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons

January 3, 2014 · Ward Meeker

American music rarely is more pure than when it comes from the minds, hands, and mouths of the Doobie Brothers.…

Brad Paisley

March 30, 2017 · Rick Allen

Pop music, modern country – what’s the difference anymore? For both, everything is bigger and splashier. Yet, nimbly as Brad…

Unsung: The Story of Marlo Henderson

July 22, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

The creation of great music is almost always a collaborative effort. From session players to engineers, producers, arrangers, and marketing…

Peavey’s Razer, Mystic, and Foundation

Peavey’s Razer, Mystic, and Foundation

Contrasting Chronologies

March 11, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

Just a handful of years after Peavey turned the world of electric guitar upside-down with its T-60 guitar and T-40…

“Monster” Mike Welch

May 16, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

 “Monster” Mike Welch digs deep on “Walking to You Baby” “I was thinking about my late friend, Luther ‘Guitar…

The Martin 3K

April 29, 2021 · George Gruhn and Walter Carter

The continuing appeal of Hawaiian music through the past 100 years is based in part on the music itself, which…

Tommy Emmanuel

Accomplice Two

February 9, 2024 · Rich Kienzle

On this rich, diverse collection of duets, Emmanuel and Billy Strings get right to it with an exuberant medley of…

Fretprints: Gary Moore’s Still Got the Blues

Defining Document

August 26, 2025 · Wolf Marshall

Throughout his career, Gary Moore was haunted by a prevailing assumption (in rock circles) that he was simply too good…

Dave Amato

Collect 'Em and Smile

June 30, 2020 · Willie G. Moseley

This year marks Boston-born Dave Amato’s 19th annum with REO Speedwagon. The guitarist moved to California in 1980 and became…

Ronnie Baker Brooks

The Bridge

March 14, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

Ronnie Baker Brooks’ new album, Times Have Changed, is a Memphis soul fest blended with the unmistakable guitar sounds of…

Vintage Guitar magazine Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix

Into the New Rising Sun – Speculating on Jimi's Later Career Move's

November 26, 2015 · Pete Prown

It has been 40 years since the passing of Jimi Hendrix. In his honor, this month we will look at…

Little Feat

Sailin’ Shoes Deluxe Edition & Dixie Chicken Deluxe Edition

August 12, 2024 · Pete Prown

One of the most influential outfits of the ’70s, Little Feat was a powerhouse with guitarists Lowell George and Paul…

Tinsley Ellis’ “Devil May Care” attitude

April 15, 2022 · Doug Yellow Bird

Blues ace gets rowdy on his 345 through a tweed Champ The fiery Tinsley Ellis and his ’67 Gibson ES-345…

Andrew Hendryx

Andrew Hendryx – Lesson: G Blues Scale

April 4, 2020 · Doug Yellow Bird

Explore the G blues scale with acclaimed mandolinist Andrew Hendryx. Originally appeared on a Facebook Live Lesson on Sunday, April 5th,…

Positive Grid Spark Go

Ready, Set…

August 4, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Following the success of its highly portable Spark and Spark Mini practice amps, Positive Grid went really small with the…

Jake E. Lee

The Legend Returns

May 29, 2015 · Oscar Jordan

Jake E. Lee found fame replacing Randy Rhoads to co-write two of Ozzy Osborne’s most popular albums – Bark At…

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,…

Joe Long’s “stack-knob” Fender Jazz Bass

June 22, 2025 · Willie G. Moseley

If you’re a fan or aficionado of vintage instruments, odds are that any early-’60s Fender Jazz Bass catches your eye.…

Henry Garza

Still Familia

May 20, 2025 · Ward Meeker

The music created by Los Lonely Boys – brothers Henry, Jojo, and Ringo Garza – is an amalgam resulting from…

GJ2 Arete 5-Star Featured Image

GJ2 Arete 5-Star

Monster of Rock

June 5, 2015 · Pete Prown

Bergen Guitars ST and TL Price: $3,999 Info: www.gj2guitars.com. Grover Jackson is a name forever associated with classic metal and…

Have Guitar Will Travel 070 – JJ Wilde and J.D. Smigelski

February 23, 2022 · James Patrick Regan

The latest episode of “Have Guitar Will Travel” finds host James Patrick Regan speaking with indie rocker JJ Wilde and…

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…