Category Archives: Issue Archive

FEATURES ROCCO PRESTIA The Power of Tower What has been called “the hardest-working right hand in the bass business” belongs to Francis “Rocco” Prestia, who for most of the last 40 years has been with soul ambassadors Tower Of Power. By Dan Forte AMP-O-RAMA 1961 Ampeg M-15 It may have been more at home behind [...]

FEATURES BRENT ROWAN Nashville Trail Blazer The studio vet has worked with everyone from George Jones to Robert Plant. A strong religious upbringing kept him from listening to pop music in his youth, but taught him much about how music can affect people. By Zac Childs AMP-O-RAMA The “Silverface” Fender Princeton Reverb The definitive “student [...]

FEATURES WARNER HODGES Ahead of His Time… Two Times The son of musicians who toured with USO bands, he grew up immersed in “cry in your beer” country. As a member of the cutting-edge “alt country” band Jason and the Scorchers, he flirted with fame and fortune. By Ward Meeker AMP-O-RAMA The Hiwatt Custom 50 [...]

FEATURES BEDLAM IN BELGIUM! Lord Bizarre’s Electric Guitar and Amp Museum When most Americans think of Belgium, they typically think beer, chocolate, or waffles. But for those with a passion for unusual vintage electric guitars, the city of Leuven holds an extra treasure. By Joe Bigley AMP-O-RAMA The Oahu 230K Tone Master Sold as part [...]

FEATURES STEVE LUKATHER Solid-Gold Guitar Slinger A chops monster who epitomizes taste and understatement, he’s also an international pop star and a hard-rocking muso. And his ’59 Gibson Les Paul Standard is one of the most-heard guitars on Earth!. By Wolf Marshall AMP-O-RAMA The Vox AC4 Practice amps, student amps, beginner amps… little fellas like [...]

FEATURES COOL LOOKS, CLASSIC SOUNDS Retro-Inspired Basses As with fashion, cars, music, and other elements of pop culture, today’s electric bass market is chock full of instruments designed to look, sound, and play like classics from decades past. By Willie G. Moseley AMP-O-RAMA Early-’70s WEM Dominator MkIII Frumpy and dated though it may look, this [...]

FEATURES BOB WOOTTON “Boom-Chika” and the Man in Black They’d never met, but minutes after Bob Wootton rolled up backstage in a pickup truck, Johnny Cash handed over his Martin saying, “Tune my guitar” before the two walked out to play “Wreck of the Old 97.” By Rich Kienzle AMP-O-RAMA The Park Lead 50 British [...]

FEATURES STEVE WINWOOD Voice of a Guitar Great One of rock’s greatest keyboard players, he also possesses one of the great singing voices in the genre. But when even longtime fans see him play guitar, they’re invariably amazed. By Dan Forte AMP-O-RAMA The 1968 Marshall JMP50 “plexi” Earlier Marshalls were indeed hallowed for their tone, [...]

FEATURES DAVE AMATO Collect ’Em and Smile His first guitar was a Harmony, and now the Boston-born guitarist has served REO Speedwagon for 19 years – a gig that has taken him around the world and seen him acquire many classic instruments. By Willie G. Moseley AMP-O-RAMA The Maestro GA-45T Prior to the new millennium [...]

FEATURES MICK TAYLOR Shedding Light on the Genius As young musicians in the U.K. began to channel American blues in the ’60s, guitarists emerged with names like Clapton, Beck, Green, and Page. These days, one name often tends to be forgotten… By P.J. Cotroneo AMP-O-RAMA The Fender 5E3 Deluxe The details of its ubiquitous design [...]