• Seymour Duncan Announces the Slash 3.0 Pickup Set

    Seymour Duncan Announces the Slash 3.0 Pickup Set

    SANTA BARBARA, January 13th, 2026 – Seymour Duncan, a leading manufacturer of guitar and bass pickups, effects pedals, and pedal amps, is proud to announce that the Slash 3.0 Pickup…

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  • Thomas Custom Guitars

    Thomas Custom Guitars

    Rarities from the Pacific Northwest

    Certain makes and models of electric guitars are rightfully prized for their elegant physical designs and superior craftsmanship. Even better are those also revered for their playability and particularly rich…

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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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J. Rockett Audio Archer, The Dude, and El Hombre

Overdrive Ecstasy

November 13, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Part of the success behind J. Rockett Audio Designs lies in the fact that, like any player who might tackle…

Martin’s Gibson

April 28, 2021 · Ward Meeker

Greg Martin’s infatuation with the sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard started in 1966, when, “I saw the picture of John…

Electro-Harmonix 45000 Multi-Track Recorder

Gettin’ Loopy!

September 17, 2015 · Pete Prown

Electro-Harmonix 45000 Multi-Track Recorder Price: $476.21 (street); $119.25 (foot controller) Info: www.ehx.com. Looping has a rich history, with roots tracing…

Wampler’s Ego Mini Compressor and Faux Tape Echo v2

Both Ends

March 15, 2019 · Chip Wilson

With an extensive line of nearly 30 devices, it’s no surprise Wampler Pedals has entries in both the traditional-size and…

Jim Kweskin

Never Too Late: Duets with my Friends

December 6, 2024 · Rich Kienzle

The Jim Kweskin Jug Band was among the most-influential acts of the ’60s folk revival. Its free-spirited mix of retro…

Carl Martin’s Roadie Bandmate 15

Tone-Rich Traits

May 21, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

Denmark’s Carl Martin has built a following with its PlexiTone series of overdrives and effects pedals used by stars the…

  • 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…

    Read more >>

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ARTISTS

Paul Mehling

Fab Four Gypsy of Tone

March 14, 2019 · John Heidt

One of the world’s foremost Djangophiles, Paul Mehling has for many years been at the forefront of Gypsy jazz in…

In Memoriam: John Teagle

February 9, 2024 · Peter Stuart Kohman

Guitarist, historian, and author John Teagle passed away March 26 in New York at age 66 after battling cancer. Teagle…

“Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Kevin Borden

July 30, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

“Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Kevin Borden Season 01 Episode 04 In Episode 4 of “Buy That Guitar,”…

Dweezil Zappa

Solo Sounds

March 3, 2017 · Oscar Jordan

To properly perform the music composed by his father, Frank, Dweezil Zappa had to revamp his playing style. The fruits…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

The Vox/Thomas Organ V-8 Berkeley Super Reverb

Organ Transplant

March 7, 2023 · Dave Hunter

Most fans of classic British guitar amplifiers have heard the tale of how the great all-tube Vox models of the…

Alvino Rey’s 1936 Gibson mini guitar Vintage Guitar magazine Home Main Big

Alvino Rey’s “Mini” Gibsons

April 20, 2016 · Lynn Wheelwright

Alvino Rey’s 1936 Gibson mini guitar. From its beginnings, Gibson has built custom orders and unique instruments for specific artists,…

Mr. Smith goes to Rudy’s

“Upstairs” at a famed NYC guitar boutique

June 10, 2020 · Art Department

Nashville has Music Row and London has Soho, but if your heart starts palpitating at the mere mention of carved…

1962 Premier E-727

April 24, 2024 · Michael Wright

One of the least un-derstood aspects of American guitar history is the role of musical instrument distributors. It’s one thing…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Pirate Guitar Effects’ Plank Overdrive and Boost

Walk The Plank

April 24, 2019 · Chip Wilson

Every pro guitarist who has laid eyes on the Pirate Guitar Effects Plank has initially thought they recognized the logo…

Area 51 Fuzzwah

Two Great Tastes

May 30, 2019 · Michael Dregni

Fuzz wahs are nothing new, of course. Released under scores of badge-engineered monikers, they’ve promised aural overload ranging from sirens…

James Trussart SteelCaster

Rust Never Sleeps

October 3, 2019 · Michael Dregni

James Trussart’s guitars exist on a plane of their own. With their peerless styling, the builder’s guitars-as-art are nonetheless fully…

Egnator Home Thumb

Egnater Tweaker 40

Small, But Mighty

August 18, 2014 · Pete Prown

Egnater Tweaker 40 Price: $1,149 (approx. $800 street). Info: egnater.com Egnater has just amplified its Tweaker line with a new…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Marty Friedman

Marty Friedman

En Fuego on Inferno!

November 12, 2014 · Oscar Jordan

As he gears up for a co-headlining tour with Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G., Marty Friedman has 13 solo albums…

Fender American Professional Jazzmaster

Return Of The Rebel

April 19, 2019 · Michael Dregni

From the get-go, Fender’s Jazzmaster was the black sheep of the family – that wild-at-heart uncle your ma warned you…

The Walrus Audio ACS1

Simple Simulation

July 3, 2022 · Phil Feser

From worship services and home-recording where volume is an issue to fly-in shows where a full rig is impossible, amp…

Elliot Easton

Star Board: Elliot Easton

November 25, 2015 · Ward Meeker

Elliot Easton’s “Pedalboard” Though Elliot Easton enjoys his loaded full-size Pedaltrain board, his new band, The Empty Hearts (with Clem…

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…

Bruce Kulick

Star Board: Bruce Kulick

March 7, 2016 · Ward Meeker

Bruce Kulick played lead guitar in Kiss for more than a decade, and today stays busy as a solo performer…

Robin Trower

Bridge of Skies

November 1, 2024 · Greg Prato

At age 78, Robin Trower remains at the top of his game, musically – still offering smoldering solos from his…

Reverend’s Rick Vito Signature Soul Shaker

Built For Speed

October 15, 2021 · Pete Prown

Blues-/roots-rocker Rick Vito knows what he wants from a guitar, and the Reverend Soul Shaker is proof. An art deco-inspired…

Marshall JCM800 2203

Marshall JCM800 2203

May 2, 2016 · Dave Hunter

Preamp tubes: three ECC83. Output tubes: four 6550. Rectifier: solidstate Controls: Pre-Amp Volume, Master Volume, Treble, Middle, Bass, Presence. Speakers:…

George Benson

Breezin’ With The Boss of Jazz Guitar

August 26, 2025 · Oscar Jordan

Grammy winner and music legend George Benson has lived a guitarist’s dream. Bridging the gap between pop and jazz helped…

Stephen Ulrich

One-Man Band

December 13, 2023 · Pete Prown

New York-based guitarist Stephen Ulrich is known for the suspenseful “crime jazz” and surf-rock tones of his instrumental trio, Big…

Gibson ES-300 Prototype

Les Paul and the First Gibson ES-300

April 20, 2010 · Lynn Wheelwright

When a guitar junkie hears the words “soapbar” and “P-90,” the mental image is usually that of a cream-colored rectangle…

Bonnie Raitt

Struttin' Her Stuff

July 6, 2016 · John Heidt

The adjective “smooth” can sometimes get a bad rep, but as the new album by Bonnie Raitt readily shows, it…

Eric Johnson

The Book of Making/Yesterday Meets Today

April 12, 2023 · Pete Prown

During lockdown, Eric Johnson killed time by poring through his old recordings of songs, ideas, and jams. He took old…

The ‘‘Blackburst’’

The ‘‘Blackburst’’

Les Paul Standard of a Different Shade

January 12, 2016 · Ward Meeker

Among experienced (and often jaded) veteran guitar collectors, precious few things create an adrenaline rush – strange one-offs, oddball brands that never quite blossomed,…

Reeves Gabrels’ Newest Reverend Spacehawk

December 23, 2025 · Vintage Guitar

For his gig with The Cure, Reeves Gabrels needed a guitar that could cover a lot of sonic territory. The…

Check This Action: Everybody Gone Surfing?

June 8, 2022 · Dan Forte

My favorite quote about the demise of surf music is not the oft-repeated Hendrix line in “Third Stone From The…

GIBSON FIREBIRDS

Gibson Firebirds

May 4, 2015 · R.K. Watkins

Say the words “custom color” to a collector or enthusiast and most will think of “Fender.” But Gibson had its…

Marcus King

Young Blood

June 9, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Young gun Marcus King enlists Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys as producer on this latest project. Young Blood combines…

IBANEZ-RGA8_HOME-MAIN-BIG

Ibanez RGA8

In the Deep End

May 12, 2016 · Pete Prown

Ibanez RGA-8 Price: $1,102.21 (approx. $800 street). Info: ibanez.com In the annals of cool, weird, and unusual guitars, they’re nothing…

The Marshall Major

Force Commander

March 3, 2022 · Dave Hunter

Any player who shows up these days with a 200-watt guitar amp will elicit a hearty, “Are you out of…

Area 51 Fuzzwah

Two Great Tastes

May 30, 2019 · Michael Dregni

Fuzz wahs are nothing new, of course. Released under scores of badge-engineered monikers, they’ve promised aural overload ranging from sirens…

Freddie King’s Gibson ES-345 Keeps on Playin’

Family Ties

May 29, 2019 · Ward Meeker

Watching her baby boy become rapt whenever his grandma played country blues on her guitar, Ella May King had a…

Andrews Spectraverb 16

No Limits

January 8, 2018 · Phil Feser

Taking inspiration from Fender’s classic AB763 Deluxe Reverb, the hand-wired Andrews Spectraverb 16 uses a pair of JJ 6V6 power…

Ecco-Fonic

October 12, 2014 · Michael Dregni

John Adomono was an American guitar hero of the Cold War years. JFK named him his favorite guitarist, and Adomono…

Carvin Audio VLD1 Legacy Drive

Legend In A Box

April 19, 2019 · Oscar Jordan

When Steve Vai needed a portable preamp to take on the road to emulate his signature amp tones, Carvin Audio…

Richie Kotzen

Richie Kotzen

Fight For Familiarity

January 26, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

So he’s not burning up the Top 40, but Richie Kotzen has been a soul-crooning monster guitarist for a very…

LIPVIRTUOSO_HOME-MAIN-BIG

Mike Lipe Virtuoso

Back to the Future

November 6, 2013 · Max Prown

Mike Lipe Virtuoso Price: $4,000 Contact: lipeguitars.com; phone (818) 352-6212 Mike Lipe has built guitars for top players and guitar…

Zemaitis GZ-3200DF

One For the Rest of Us

February 24, 2010 · Bob Tekippe

Looking to score one of those legendary guitars made by the late British luthier Tony Zemaitis? Yeah, so are we.…