Classic Instruments
1843 Martin & Coupa
In 1833, C.F. Martin, Sr. and his family arrived in New York City. A trained luthier, Martin had studied under Johann Stauffer in Vienna...
Classic Instruments
Meet The GitWik
When it comes to identifying guitars, basses, amps, and effects, nobody knows it all. Anyone save for the true specialist, whose interest is focused...
Classic Instruments
Fender Telecaster Thinline
Born in turbulent times on the downslope of the “guitar boom,” Fender’s Telecaster Thinline has always existed in the shadow of its classic older...
Classic Instruments
Webster-Chicago RMA 375 Model 166-1
Modified or repurposed amps generally don’t fit into our monthly discussion here, but some are representative enough of a certain standard to make an...
Classic Instruments
The Story of Silver Street Guitars
In the late 1970s, trends combined to spawn several new guitar companies in the Chicago area motivated by a desire to “build a better...
Classic Instruments
The Real Story of Martin’s 14-Fret Orchestra Models
Martin Orchestra Model (OM) guitars made prior to World War II are some of the finest ever made for fingerpicking. That’s rather ironic, considering...
Classic Instruments
Watkins Scout
Watkins amps never landed big stars, or at least didn’t hold on to the endorsements of guitarists once they became big stars. Various Beatles...
Classic Instruments
The City of Guitars
On your way to Paris for a romantic getaway? Wanting to see the sights in the City of Light? Then take this advice; forget...
Classic Instruments
Mick Taylor’s ’58 Les Paul Standard
Hard-edged face of the British Invasion, the Rolling Stones introduced the world to the implements, trappings, and accessories of rock-and-roll superstardom. With help from...
Classic Instruments
Eko’s “Celluloid” ’60s Basses
By the early 1960s, Europe’s industrial bases had mostly recovered from World War II. Many musical-instrument manufacturers stuck to products popular in their respective...
