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Trending Now
For someone who has been a professional musician for more than 30 years, Ronnie Earl is going through a remarkable production period in his career. In just the last three years, he released his first live DVD and companion CD, 2008’s Hope Radio, followed by the CD Living in the Light in ’09 and now, […]
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VG Approved Gear
SoloDallas Schaffer Replica Tower
Instant Angus
There should be a hall of fame of gear that’s famous for “lateral applications” – that is, features and functions beyond their original creation. Think of Fender’s Bassman or Supro’s Thunderbolt – bass amps beloved by guitarists. Or the Echoplex, often used for its distinctive tone boost. In those hallowed halls, the Schaffer-Vega Diversity System […]
Artists
Julian Taylor’s draw-you-in style
Rich voice, intriguing compositions Folk singer/guitarist Julian Taylor draws you in with his rich voice and intriguing compositions. His new album, “Pathways,” was co-produced with fellow Canadian Colin Linden, who contributes several tasty guitar parts. Here, he and his Martin OMC-10E play a stripped-down version of the album’s lead track, “Weighing Down.” Our review appears […]
Artists
Alex Aguilar’s Master-Volume Les Paul Some might think it sacrilege, but in his March “Guitar Rx” column, Dan Erlewine adds a Master Volume control to a Gibson Les Paul. Why? Because that’s what his friend Alex Aguilar wanted! “Gasp!” right? Relax – it’s a 2021 model, and as you see here, Alex does cool […]
Music
J.D. Simo
Mind Control
The topic is psychedelic blues, and J.D. Simo is the man with the brown acid. Hypnotic wah, talking hollowbody guitars, and trippy drum patterns permeate an album that will change the equilibrium of any environment. Simo’s muse is that time and place when artists like B.B. King shared the bill with bands like Jefferson Airplane. […]
VG Approved Gear
Donner Arena 2000
Earthy Vibes
Donner has been making a name delivering import gear at absurdly low prices while maintaining solid quality. The Arena 2000 is another triumph, this one going up against multi-effects floor units with color screens – a feature that typically drives the price to around $400. This box lists for substantially less, yet contains a universe […]
Artists
Eddie Cochran’s Gretsch 6120
Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got that Twang
One night in the late 1950s, Eddie Cochran set the world alight onstage in the City of Angels. Though the details are lost to history, The Los Angeles Times reported, “Last night, Eddie Cochran rocked and he rolled and finally the cows came home. By the time he strummed his last notes on that big, […]
Artists
Toronzo’s Tasty Blues!
Chicago Blues Master plays “Something To Do, Man” More than “just” a great blues player, Toronzo Cannon is an outspoken supporter and fan of the form. His dedication extends to the guitar he plays here, made with wood repurposed from Muddy Waters’ home at 4339 South Lake Park Avenue. Built in Chicago by GTR, he […]
Artists
Butch Walker
Hummingbirds and Ghosts
Butch Walker readily admits that when it comes to his life as a musician, performer, and producer, he has some decidedly “first-world problems,” like when a guitar he’d like to use on a song (or to photograph for a magazine spread!) happens to be at his Nashville studio instead of his other one, in L.A. […]
Artists
Saucerful of Strats
Pink Floyd Catalog Gets a Massive Reissue
By any standard, Pink Floyd has one of the mightiest catalogs in rock and roll – a 14-album pantheon dating from 1967 to ’94 that has few rivals. Every so often, EMI remasters the batch with fresh sonics, and the latest round gives Floydheads serious reason to rejoice. The big news is what’s being called […]
VG Approved Gear
Radial Tonebone Shotgun and Mix-Blender
Swiss-Army Stompboxes
Whether it’s due to shrinking pedalboard real estate, shrinking discretionary budgets, or both, stompboxes that serve more than one function never fail to pique interest. Unfortunately, a lot of these knob-, switch-, toggle-, and LED-adorned pedals look like they might require a jet pilot’s license to operate. Not so these two offerings from Radial Tonebone. […]
Classic Instruments
Greg Lake’s Zemaitis Doubleneck
Twice as Heavy
With progressive-rock juggernaut Emerson, Lake & Palmer, bassist/vocalist Greg Lake (1947-2016) played more than one instrument made by the renowned British luthier Tony Zemaitis. Known for their fancy tops of pearl or exquisitely engraved metal, Zemaitis instruments were truly handcrafted works of art, and the list of players who ordered them reads like the ultimate […]
Music
Pink Floyd & The Dark Side of the Moon
Martin Popoff
This book marks the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s masterwork – composer/bassist Roger Waters’ meditation on madness set over angsty, slow-tempo rock. The narrative digs into the weeds of their 1973 breakthrough, accompanied by period photos of David Gilmour’s venerable black Strat, outboard gear (Fuzz Face, Uni-Vibe, Binson EchoRec 2, lap steel), Waters’ Precision Bass, […]
Artists
Marty Walsh
With a Little Help From Friends
Marty Walsh has plied his trade for decades, though relatively few may be familiar with his efforts. A Los Angeles native, the guitarist gravitated to his father’s old Martin when he was 15. The first guitar he called his own was a Gibson ES-1403/4 he bought from his brother and eventually traded (and $10) for […]
Classic Instruments
Oahu 415k
Hawiian Style
If an American guitar amplifier from the late ’40s, ’50s, or ’60s doesn’t carry the Gibson or Fender badge, odds are high it was manufactured by Valco, no matter the name on the cabinet. More than just a big-brand jobber, though, Valco made great-sounding combos, as this Oahu 415k reminds us. Manufactured in Chicago but […]
Artists
Sarah Borges’ plays “Wasting My Time”
Roots-rocker’s solo, essential take Sarah Borges grabbed her Stonetree Custom Roscoe Special for this take on “Wasting My Time,” from her new album, “Together Alone.” Eric “Roscoe” Ambel’s production and guitar work give the entire disc a great rock-and-roll party vibe. Read our review in the June issue. Read Now!
Artists
“Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Howie Statland
“Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Howie Statland Season 01 Episode 10 In Episode 10 of VG’s “Buy That Guitar” podcast, host Ram Tuli is joined by Howie Statland of Rivington Guitars, New York City. They discuss famous players and the effect they have on the value of collectible instruments. Guitarists are often influenced […]
VG Approved Gear
Collings CJ-45 T
Golden Child
Every now and then, you pick up a guitar and realize you’re holding magic in your hands. Welcome to the Collings CJ-45 T. The inspiration is obvious in a slope-shouldered design that harkens to the J-45, Gibson’s wartime answer to Martin’s big pre-war dreadnoughts. Like that classic, Collings’ guitar is a no-frills instrument that’s all […]