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Special Features
Festive Frets
Suggested Listening for Your “Guitholidays”
Listen to VG’s “Festive Frets Holiday Play List” on Spotify! From the two-string refrain that kicks off Bobby Helms’ “Jingle Bell Rock” to the rejuvenated acoustic blues of John Fahey or the jazz twists of Larry Carlton and Kenny Burrell, fans of guitar music are privileged to have a slew of suitable music when the…
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Special Features
Pandora’s Stompboxes
The 29 Weirdest, Wackiest, and Coolest Effects of All Time A refresher in Greek mythology: When Prometheus stole the secret of fire from the heavens, Zeus, father of the gods, was enraged. He chained Prometheus to a rock for all eternity. Adding to the punishment, Zeus created the first woman on Earth – Pandora –…
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Special Features
Small Screen, Big Pickin’
Crew Strives to Keep it Real on “Nashville”
It’s not often that prime-time network television captures an audience of working class, professional musicians. In 1968, players watched Elvis Presley and Scotty Moore swap their Gibson SJ-200 and a Super 400 during Elvis’ “Comeback Special.” More recently, it’s been done with grace in a fictional musical drama. “Nashville” aired for four seasons on ABC,…
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Special Features
5 Basses That Shook the World
Rattle and Roll
In the 1930s, few bassists in popular forms of music felt the need to extract more volume from their uprights. Then came rockabilly and rock and roll – two forms where the stationary “doghouse” didn’t fit the dynamic. Fortunately, Leo Fender knew just what was needed.
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Special Features
30 Most Valuable Guitars
To mark VG’s 30th anniversary, we dig into the 30 most-valuable production guitars.
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Special Features
Dad’s Day 2017
VG’s Annual Ode to Fathers Who Inspire
This article originally appeared in VG August 2017 issue. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.
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Special Features
Gibson Custom Colors in the 1960s
Burning Embers, Chilled Whites
Unlike its rival from the West Coast, Gibson did not readily embrace the concept of offering custom-color finishes. It wasn’t averse to custom work or colorful finishes, but saw them more as a consequence of its wider range of stringed instruments – acoustics, electrics, and associated clientele. While competitors like Fender, Gretsch, Harmony, and Rickenbacker…
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Special Features
Fender Custom Colors in the 1960s
Misty Lakes, Foamy Shores
In the 1950s, America’s fascination with the automobile was running at a fever pitch. The booming economy of the country’s post-war years pushed the car from a purpose-built means of transportation to the center of family and social life. As a result, automakers started to offer their wares in ever-better dress. Beyond plush interiors and…
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Special Features
Top 100 Guitarists
30 Years, 30 Favorites
To help mark its 30th year of publication, VG asked readers to submit a list of their five favorite guitarists via written ballots and online. We tabulated the votes and here offer up the top 100 vote-getters in order of overall popularity. 1) Jimi Hendrix Want trouble? Imagine the scene at the big Guitarcon event; someone…
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Special Features
Custom VG Backgrounds
Time to give your computer, tablet, or phone a new look? VG offers different classic images, each downloadable in a variety of screen sizes and resolutions for any computer or handheld device! Choose the FREE background you want! CHECK YOUR SCREEN RESOLUTION and click the proper size. After it has finished loading, do one of…