FEATURES
KEY COLLECTION
Nashville Pro Dave Gant Fosters Impressive Gathering of Amps
When he’s not serving as musical director for country superstar Garth Brooks, Dave Gant spends time lovingly “tending and lending” his collection of amplifiers. By Ward Meeker
AMP-O-RAMA
The Fender “High-Powered” Twin
Tweed-o-philes know the format is ubiquitous, like Kleenex or Band-Aid. But this version of the famed amp represents the zenith of Fender amps of the ’50s; for all intents and purposes, it is the first Fender Twin. By Dave Hunter
THE GIBSON LES PAUL MODEL
Its official name doesn’t do it justice. After all, Gibson has made over a hundred different Les Paul models through the years. But call it by its nickname – “goldtop” – and everyone knows you’re talking about Gibson’s first solidbody electric. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
THE VG HALL OF FAME ’08
Class of ’08
Readers select Duane Allman as this year’s entry in the Player category, where he joins great company, while “jewelry maker” Floyd Rose and the original Gibson Les Paul “goldtop” also draw honors!
PAUL BIGSBY’S MYRTLEWOOD GUITARS
Some guitars might be beautiful, but others, by virtue of the “lives” they’ve led or the story of their origin, are way more fascinating. And if some have a good yarn to weave, the story of these Paul Bigsby instruments is the War And Peace of vintage-guitar tales! By Deke Dickerson
BASS SPACE
The Epiphone Rivoli
Former Gibson president Ted McCarty was in charge when the company developed a reputation for building solidbody guitars. But one accomplishment was more about his role in marketing… By Willie G. Moseley
GEORGE GRUHN
How a Zoologist Became a Guitar Animal
A student destined for a career in zoology and animal behavior, he was working toward a doctorate. That is, until Hank Williams, Jr. came calling, looking for a Martin guitar. By Louis R. Carlozo
THE PREMIER E-727
It’s one thing to be able to manufacture guitars, but quite another to get them to customers. And beyond that function, distributors have historically created brands; this 1962 Premier E-727 is a prime example of the variable qualities of that relationship. By Michael Wright
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
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Dealer Directory
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FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Vox Amp Book Launch Party, Eastwood Players Lounge, Fender U. Spring Session, new music, more!
28 For 50
Paul Smith Marks Birthday with Special Guitar
By Wolf Marshall
Ede Wright
Pick a Style, Any Style
By John Heidt
Johnny Farina
50 Years of “Sleep Walk”
By Pete Prown
Joe Cefalu
Homemade
By John Heidt
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Trevor Bolder
Uriah Heep Roars Back
By Willie G. Moseley
Jonas Reingold
Progressive Bass Wizard
By Pete Prown
Classic Hendrix Revisited
Eddie Kramer on Electric Ladyland
By Dan Forte
Hard Good in Tough Times
Guest Editorial
By Norman Harris
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
Beat Portraits: Burns, Vol. II, The Black Bison Leads the Herd
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
An Ethical Dilemma
By Steven Stone
“401K” Guitars
Diggin’ Danelectros
By Gil Hembree
Fretprints
Duane Allman
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Quick & Dirty With a Gibson SG
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
Charles Kittleson: Vacuum Tube State of the Union
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
CD, DVD, and Book Reviews
Hank Williams, Derek Trucks Band, Jeff Beck tribute, Ry Cooder, Jefferson Airplane, Harp Guitar Deams, Jinx Jones, Eric Johnson on DVD, Vox Amplifiers: The JMI Years, more!
Check This Action
Rock Icons, Then and Now
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Vox Virage, Squier Classic Vibe Series, Epiphone Slash Goldtop, Egnater Rebel, Celmo Sardine Can Compressor, Redline Resophonic Rambler and Traveler, Swell G Drive, Fishman Aura pedals, Visual Sound V2 effects, more!
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!