FEATURES
1953 GIBSON LES PAUL JUNIOR
Gibson records tell us the Les Paul Junior was introduced in 1954. But this instrument has tone and volume pot codes from ’53. It also differs in regard to other specifications, most notably that its neck joint differs from any other Junior. By George Gruhn
IN DETAIL
Gibson’s 1954-’58 Les Paul Junior
Aimed at the entry-level market, the Junior was launched in 1954 to great response. If you’re looking for one today, you’ll first want to read this guide to one of the grittiest rock machines ever made. By Ward Meeker
BASS SPACE
The Robin Freedom
Much like this instrument’s headstock, the company used a reverse line of thought in manufacturing; it’s one of the few lines that started life as an import and is now U.S.-made. By Willie G. Moseley
ADRIAN BELEW
Musical Modernist
He has gigged with Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, and of course, King Crimson. He also has an offshoot band, and his most recent solo effort includes bassist Les Claypool and drummer Danny Carey. By Willie G. Moseley
1976 HAGSTROM JIMMY
In 1968, the Sweden-based Hagstrom company recruited legendary builder James D’Aquisto to design its archtop jazz guitars. Not bad for a company most associate with little double-cutaway guitars covered in vinyl, with plastic pickup assemblies. By Michael Wright
ON THE ROAD TO ’59
Part 2; Gibson Les Paul Reissues 1983-’93
In 1983, Gibson finally released a model called the Les Paul Reissue. And it was an immediate hit, with features that more closely resembled a late-’50s Les Paul Standard. By Mike Slubowski
THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
Molding a New Idea of Guitars, Part 2
More of our look at the synthetics used in guitar construction. Whether for reasons sonic, aesthetic, or from a manufacturing perspective, disappearing resources are not always the primary motivation. By Michael Wright
DEPARTMENTS
Dealer News
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
Babicz Guitars
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Ray Benson’s Birthday Bash, FMIC Turns 20, VoxFest VI, Entwistle anthology, John5 update, In Memoriam, more!
Steve Vai
Crafting Musical Illusions
By Lisa Sharken
Executive Rock
Andy Sipowicz Goes E-Shopping
By Willie G. Moseley
Collection Sells for Charity
By Thomas Van Hoose, Ph.D
Classic Concerts
Cream, Atlanta, 1968
By Willie G. Moseley
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Tommy Emmanuel
Down-Under Dazzler
By Willie G. Moseley
John Bullard
Banjo Baroque
By Steven Stone
Webb Wilder
Full-Grown Rocker Comes Full Circle
By John Heidt
COLUMNS
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Festivals, Wacky Designs…
By Steven Stone
FretPrints
Robben Ford
By Wolf Marshall
Gigmeister
A “Burst” For the Rest of Us
By Riley Wilson
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Nibs: Tightening Up Loose Ends
By Dan Erlewine
Guitar Shop
Strong Case for a Good Case
By Tony Nobles
Amps
Amplifier First Aid, Gig-Style
By Gerald Weber
Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
Music, Book and Video Reviews: Bloomfield, Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Duke Robillard & Ronnie Earl, Tab Benoit, John Pizzarelli, Kenny Burrell, The Stella Guitar Book, more!
Check This Action
Documentaries 101
Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Danelectro 56 Pro, Babicz Acute, Carl Martin PlexiTone/DeLayla, Kammerer 10-2HNG!
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
