VG Approved Gear

VG Approved Gear

Danelectro ’59 Resonator

While guitar enthusiasts expend a lot of brain power waxing poetic about tonewoods, for many VG readers of a certain vintage, that gateway experience...

Chip Wilson

VG Approved Gear

Golden Age Pre-73 MkIII, Ear Trumpet Edwina, and Avantone CR-14

Strike up a conversation with anyone who records music and they’ll talk your ear off about mics and preamps. If you want to make...

Pete Prown

VG Approved Gear

Newman Guitars Lake Placid Blue

Excitement at the arrival of this offset beauty was dampened by the sad news that its creator had passed away July 1. Ted Newman...

Rich Maloof

VG Approved Gear

National Dueco

Blues man Charlie Parr recently philosophized in VG that National resonator guitars are as much mechanical creation as musical instrument, which is why maintaining...

Michael Dregni

VG Approved Gear

Soul Tramp Tweed 12

Soul Tramp Amps are builder Don Hill’s take on classic amp circuit designs... for instance, his Tweed 12 offers a spin on Fender’s Deluxe...

Anders Fransson

VG Approved Gear

Magnatone Panoramic Stereo

Magnatone amplifiers date back to the 1940s and ’50s – the era of Hawaiian-steel guitar – and boasted pearloid-covered casework befitting the silky, exotic...

Ray Wuolo

VG Approved Gear

David Allen Fat ’59 Tele Pickups

At their best, Tele pickups deliver unparalleled twang – versatile and fat. Conversely, poor T-style pickups are flat and screechy or thin and brittle....

Pete Prown

VG Approved Gear

Collings OM1 T

To the hands, hearts, and minds of many an experienced guitarist, an OM-size body with a 25.5" scale feels the perfect flat-top. Spend time...

Steven Stone

VG Approved Gear

Ibanez BWM1 Bob Weir Cowboy Fancy

The mid ’70s were a time for bold experimentation in guitar design, particularly with electronics. Guitarists were discovering replacement pickups, coil-tapping, onboard boosters, and...

Pete Prown