Cicognani Pompeii PP603

Dimensional Echoes

December 6, 2021 · Oscar Jordan

Cicognani Engineering has been making noise with a terrific lineup of amps and effects, earning raves from notable artists like…

Wampler Pedals’ Bravado

Tone Tweaker’s Delight

April 24, 2019 · Chip Wilson

What’s a pedal platform? Nope, it’s not a carbon-fiber Pinarello mountain bike with Shimano shifters and derailleurs. It’s another term…

Country Player of the Year

February 6, 2017 · Vintage Guitar

Albert Lee Awarded in 2018 Known primarily as a virtuoso sideman, over the past half-century, Albert Lee journeyed from British…

Rupert Neve Designs’ Portico 5017/ SE Electronics’ Voodoo VR1

Studio on the Go

March 13, 2019 · Pete Prown

Despite what some folks may tell you about the merits of “going direct” for guitar, nothing sounds better than a…

Maestro Ranger Overdrive and Invader Distortion

Evil Twins

July 28, 2023 · Michael Dregni

Maestro’s new all-analog overdrive and distortion pedals are like evil twins – two black-sheep siblings that differ in concept but…

Fargen Olde 800 MKII, Sonic Edge J&J Overdrive

Decades of Tone

May 9, 2016 · Zac Childs

The Fargen Olde 800 MKII Price: $1,949 Info: www.fargenamps.com. For 10 years, Ben Fargen has established a reputation for building…

  • Rush

    Rush

    Rush 50

    The goal of any anthology is to capture the broad scope of an artist’s career. Rush 50 is a strong attempt, starting with their first singles (previously unreleased) all the…

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ARTISTS

Mike Baggetta Brings the Morricone Sauce!

March 10, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

New Album Explores Styles with Keltner, Watt Check out Mike Baggetta and his Iris AB (serial number 46) playing the…

Mike McCready

Strat Swap: Fender CS Mark Anniversary of Ten

June 13, 2022 · Ward Meeker

“I smashed a lot of guitars!” says Mike McCready of his nights onstage as Pearl Jam rode the crest of…

Sarah Borges’ plays “Wasting My Time”

June 20, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

Roots-rocker’s solo, essential take Sarah Borges grabbed her Stonetree Custom Roscoe Special for this take on “Wasting My Time,” from…

Tommy Smith

Leogun’s Led Zep Connection

March 3, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

Some of the loudest buzz – literally and figuratively – in music surrounds the London-base power trio Leogun, fronted by…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

The Sebastian ‘Burst

Inspirational Icon

February 9, 2022 · Willie G. Moseley

The mere mention of a Gibson Les Paul Standard made between 1958 and 1960 commands attention. But one like this,…

Brennen Leigh’s Heart-Tugging Honky-Tonk

September 5, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Shades of Norman Blake and Dolly Parton A student of the “Carter Scratch” guitar technique – melody on the low…

BAKERSFIELD-HOME-MAIN-BIG

Basses from Bakersfield

March 4, 2014 · Willie G. Moseley

The history of guitar manufacturing in the Bakersfield area of California includes names like Mosrite, Hallmark, and Standel. One of…

Roy Smeck’s Gibson L-5

One For the “Wizard”

March 1, 2023 · George Gruhn

Player endorsements are part of the tradition of guitarmaking going back to its earliest use for public performance. LeRoy G.A.…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster

Flipped Axis

March 1, 2017 · Michael Dregni

Pity the poor right-handed masses. Emulating the vibe of Jimi’s various Strats has always been tough on them. Some players…

The Peavey ValveKing II Micro-head 20-Watt Amplifier

The Peavey ValveKing II Micro-head 20-Watt Amplifier

Royal Rock

May 5, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

The Peavey ValveKing II Micro-head 20-Watt Amplifier Price: $429.99 Contact: www.peavey.com Famous for their sturdy build and quality overdriven sounds,…

Strymon Sunset Dual Overdrive

Category Killer?

April 26, 2019 · Rich Maloof

Taste in overdrives is so subjective. A player might luck into a stellar $50 mini pedal or feel the absolute…

Schertler Giulia X

The Little Things

September 11, 2023 · Charlie Wilkins

In the mid ’80s, Swiss multi-instrumentalist Stephan Schertler decided to follow his passion for electronics and created the Schertler brand…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Henretta Engineering Pedals

Henretta Engineering Pedals

Good Things, Small Packages

September 7, 2014 · Michael Dregni

Henretta Engineering Pedals Prices: Green Zapper, Bluebird, and Purple Octopus, $125 each; Chord Blaster, $140 Info: www.henrettaengineering.com. Bigger is not…

Jimmy Vivino – Canned Heat Shuffle

November 29, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Solo on a Rare Martin Jimmy Vivino and his Martin Paul Simon PS 2 OM prototype (which was gifted to…

The Leilani Lap Steel and Amplifier

April 4, 2014 · Eric C. Shoaf

You can receive more great articles like this in our twice-monthly e-mail newsletter, Vintage Guitar Overdrive, FREE from your friends…

Richie Kotzen

Solo and Salty

April 19, 2019 · Ward Meeker

Richie Kotzen was one of those kids – always entertaining the family with song and dance, usually in a crazy…

Canned Heat

Finyl Vinyl

July 3, 2025 · Dan Forte

In the mid/late ’60s, the top American groups of the Blues Revival were Chicago’s Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Los…

Dr Z Octal Six 1×12 combo

Valve Variation

August 13, 2025 · Charlie Wilkins

Classic guitar amplifiers have made certain vacuum tubes household names (among gearheads) – 12AX7, 12AT7, 6L6, 6V6, EL84, and EL34.…

Add Some of Dickie Betts’ Style to Your Playing

August 29, 2024 · Doug Yellow Bird

Add Some of Dickie Betts’ Style to Your Playing Hey there! Just wanted to share that mandolinist Andrew Hendryx and…

Metallica

72 Seasons

March 16, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Metallica’s 11th album is a blast from the band’s hard-charging past, and does not disappoint. As the follow-up to 2016’s…

Jorge Harada

Whole Lotta Rockabilly

March 11, 2019 · Michael Dregni

Call it twang with attitude. Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers’ new album, Little Black Heart, is a heady mix of…

Newman Guitars’ Honeycomb Chambered Jr.

Way Cool Version

June 7, 2023 · Tom Guerra

Following Ted Newman Jones’ passing in 2016, protégé Jeff Smith took over Newman Guitars and is furthering the vision, using…

BSM RM Majestic Treble Booster

December 6, 2021 · Oscar Jordan

Germany’s BSM is among the rare specialist among modern stompbox builders; their focus is one thing – making treble boosters…

Scott Holt

Mojo Risin’ in Foghat

August 6, 2024 · Bret Adams

It’s been more than 50 years since Foghat unleashed its freewheeling rock and roll, steeped in its blues beginnings. Sonic…

The Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi

Smooth Successor

October 6, 2014 · Phil Feser

Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi Price: $133 (list)/$99.75 (street). Contact: ehx.com. The Big Muff Pi overdrive is the effect…

ESP GL-56

Is it Really Vintage?

March 15, 2012 · Pete Prown

Like the “aged” guitars crafted by Fender and Gibson, this ESP solidbody looks like an ancient road warrior, one that’s…

Fender Player Jazz Bass Fretless

No Frets, No Sweat

January 24, 2022 · Pete Prown

The fretless has long been mysterious territory for bassists dazzled by the sonic achievements of Jaco Pastorius, Pino Palladino, and…

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Into The Future

September 9, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Dirt On My Diamonds Volume One finds the Strat-wielding blues-rocker blending the best elements of pop country,…

Pop ’N Hiss: Be Bop Deluxe’s Live! In the Air Age

Atmospheric Axes

June 4, 2022 · Pete Prown

For a shining moment, the eclectic British quartet Be Bop Deluxe rose above an upheaval in rock and pop in…

Keith Richards’ 1963 Gibson SG Custom

Ready to Ramble

February 9, 2022 · Jim Carlton

In 1961, Gibson introduced the double-cutaway Les Paul to replace the original version, which had been endorsed by guitarist Les…

Gibson GA-80T Vari-Tone

May 6, 2015 · Dave Hunter

In the late ’50s and early ’60s, Gibson was apparently convinced the Vari-Tone switch was the way of the future,…

In Memoriam: Lasse Wellander

February 9, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Lasse Wellander, longtime guitarist in ABBA and a renowned studio and solo musician, died April 7. He was 70 and…

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Randy Bachman

The Album Title Says It All

May 7, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

Canadian guitarist/guitar collector Randy Bachman is known worldwide for his classic licks in songs by the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner…

Dave Amato

Collect 'Em and Smile

June 30, 2020 · Willie G. Moseley

This year marks Boston-born Dave Amato’s 19th annum with REO Speedwagon. The guitarist moved to California in 1980 and became…

Roy Buchanan

The Life and Times of Roy Buchanan

January 20, 2016 · Phil Carson

  Roy Buchanan and his battered 1953 Telecaster guitar got inside your head and grabbed you in the gut. He…

Happy Traum

Folk Guru: 1936-2024

June 25, 2025 · Dan Forte

On July 17, folk music lost one of its guiding lights with the death of Happy Traum at age 86.…

Roine Stolt

Transatlantic Crossing

January 3, 2024 · Pete Prown

Thirty years into a stellar career, progressive-rock wizard Roine Stolt can be heard on the latest – and perhaps final…

Tunerette

Smokin’ Tuner

May 8, 2025 · Joe Bigley

The guitar world has many options to stay in tune but none as cool-looking as the Tunerette. Don’t let the…

Three Larsons

April 27, 2016 · George Gruhn

At first glance, these three guitars appear to be a straightforward collection of different sizes of the same model. A…

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Southwest Survivors

May 30, 2025 · Rich Kienzle

TexiCali marks the latest chapter in the partnership of L.A. roots-rock vet Dave Alvin and revered West Texas singer/songwriter Jimmie…

Ruppert Acouswitch and Basswitch IQ DIs

Switching Up

March 27, 2016 · Phil Feser

Ruppert Acouswitch and Basswitch IQ DIs Price: $600 each with gigbag Info: www.rmi.lu. Part DI, part preamp, and part A/B…