Micki Free

Feel and Tone

Richie Kotzen

Richie Kotzen

Fight For Familiarity

Gretsch Jet Firebird

One of the flashiest Jets in the Gretsch Company’s Air Force

Roger Glover

Time Machine

Bill Nelson

Still Deluxe

  • Mike Campbell with Ari Surdoval

    Mike Campbell with Ari Surdoval

    Heartbreaker: A Memoir

    In his autobiography, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Campbell admits he’s quiet and shy. Self-doubt plagued him his entire life, and when problems arose in the Heartbreakers, a lack…

    Read more >>

NOW AVAILABLE!

CURRENT ISSUE

Join 25,700+ subscribers & be notified when new articles & more becomes available!

NEWSWIRE

ARTISTS

Geddy Lee

Bass Conservator

August 7, 2023 · Ward Meeker

In its 40-plus years, Rush evolved on its own terms. Mixing rock and jazz influences, the band’s 19 studio albums…

Sean Watkins

The Fire Returns

January 3, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Nickel Creek’s new album, Celebrants, is the trio’s first in nine years. Mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins, and…

Eric Johnson

Solving The Tonal "Rubik's Cube"

January 31, 2007 · Lisa Sharken

Eric Johnson has a reputation for being not only an amazing guitarist, but someone who cares deeply about every aspect…

Bryan Sutton

Bryan Sutton

Into His Own

May 3, 2015 · Steven Stone

Bryan Sutton ranks as one of the most accomplished and in-demand acoustic players in Nashville. In 1991, fresh from high…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Paul Reed Smith Guitars

The World of Paul Reed Smith

September 10, 2002 · Michael Wright

Just after we entered the small, crowded office, the door burst open and an intruder blurted out, “Excuse me. Check…

Vox Symphonic Bass

Fender Bender

July 12, 2023 · Peter Stuart Kohman

Despite the way collectors and dealers freely apply the term “lawsuit guitars,” documented examples are few. One time it did…

Premier Twin 12

February 5, 2016 · Dave Hunter

Sometimes it takes just the slightest aesthetic twist to get an amp nut all worked up. This 1960 Premier Twin…

Kangaroo Amp Covers

Anti-Aging for Amps

January 2, 2007 · Phil Feser

Kangaroo Amp Covers Once upon a time, Steve Purcell, proprietor of Kangaroo Amp Covers, grew weary of being the forgetful…


APPROVED GEAR

deLisle Nickel Box

deLisle Nickel Box

A Nickel For Your Chops

April 12, 2016 · Bob Dragich

deLisle Nickel Box Price: $609 (list); $729 (as tested) Info: www.delisleguitar.com Low-watt amplifiers have enjoyed a run of popularity. Offering…

Soldano Astro-20 combo

Rock Machine

November 26, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Mike Soldano is the man behind amp tones that influenced a generation of guitarists, his hot-rodded ideas having been used…

Guild Jetstar

High Flyer

October 14, 2019 · Bob Cianci

In 1964, Guild launched its original Jetstar as the company’s budget-friendly solidbody. With a more-conventional shape than the S-200 Thunderbird…

Gibson’s “Non-Reverse” ’Birds

September 25, 2013 · Willie G. Moseley

In the ’60s, Gibson strived mightily to meet the demands of players of all levels while also working to maintain…

  • Paul Johnson

    Paul Johnson

    The Hepcats Live at the Ajax Novelty Company

    This isn’t live, there may not be an Ajax Novelty Company, and the three felines known as the Hepcats are actually the brainchild of Paul Johnson, whose Belairs were early-’60s pioneers of surf music. Suspend reality and dig how the “trio” expertly articulates layers of acoustic guitar. Across decades, Johnson has embraced folk-rock, psychedelia, and…

    Read more >>

  • Yes

    Yes

    Close to the Edge: Super Deluxe Edition

    Are you a high-fidelity audio geek? If the answer is, well, yes, this Rhino release brings together an HD experience of Close to the Edge in no fewer than four versions, plus rarities and a ’72 concert. For starters, the 2025 remaster sounds as close to the analog 1972 mix as you’re going to get…

    Read more >>

  • “Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Freeman Arthur

    “Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Freeman Arthur

    Season 03 Episode 08 In Episode 3.8 of “Buy That Guitar,” host Ram Tuli is joined by Freeman Arthur, who is known worldwide for boosting the profile and appeal of the pedal-steel guitar. He is an active session musician and has performed/recorded with artists across diverse genres. Subscribe to our “Overdrive” newsletter for the latest…

    Read more >>

  • Pink Floyd

    Pink Floyd

    Have You Got It Yet? – The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd

    It’s understandable that fans warily approach the flood of pseudo-documentaries and biopics. Add the fact that the late Syd Barrett, Floyd’s original guitarist/leader, suffered from mental illness, and exploitation alarms are sure to go off. But this documentary handles the subject with dignity instead of sensationalism. Interviews by longtime Floyd cover artist Storm Thorgerson with…

    Read more >>

  • The Wildhearts

    The Wildhearts

    In the raging ’90s, The Wildhearts blasted out of Newcastle upon Tyne like some unholy melding of Guns ’N Roses, Cheap Trick, and The Replacements. Hard rock, power pop, and punk still make up their secret sauce, heard on this latest effort with original singer/guitarist Ginger Wildheart. Ben Marsden plays lead, while Kavus Torabi adds…

    Read more >>

Supro’s Thunderbolt S6420+

Supro’s Thunderbolt S6420+

35 Watts on a Gold Platter

March 15, 2016 · Michael Dregni

Supro’s Thunderbolt S6420+ Price: $1,599 (list) Contact: www.suprousa.com Upon introduction in 1964, the Valco-made Supro Thunderbolt Model S6420 was a…

The Collings I-35

Soul in the Details

July 14, 2020 · Tony Nobles

Occasionally, in the world of guitars, events influence the market. The introduction of a new guitar can send ripples through…

Robert Mugge

Capturing the Blues

July 6, 2016 · Dan Forte

In 1991, Robert Mugge made the documentary Deep Blues, with the help of journalist Robert Palmer, who wrote the book…

Acoustik Attak Picks

May 10, 2022 · Julian Burtell

Each of Acoustik Attak’s three guitar picks has a different raised formation that alters the way it interacts with strings;…

Altamira TD Birdseye Oval Hole

Djangology

December 6, 2021 · Oscar Jordan

Altamira Guitars has made a specialty of classical nylon-string, replica, and gypsy-jazz guitars. The latter are created with the same…