• Duke Robillard – Lowdown

    Duke Robillard – Lowdown

    Vintage Guitar is happy to offer the premier of the new music video by Grammy nominee Duke Robillard. “Lowdown” is the  first single from his upcoming album, Blast Off!, set…

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  • Super PickupGiveaway 2025

    Super PickupGiveaway 2025

    Win Big! 11 Sets! 11 Winners! Win a set of pickups from one of these sponsors: Deadline is March 15, 2026. Complete the survey below to enter giveaway. One entry…

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In Memoriam: Tom Verlaine

February 9, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Tom Verlaine, co-founder of the influential garage/new-wave band Television, died January 28. He was 73 and passed after a battle…

The Dantzig Tulsa Korina

The New Vintage

March 13, 2019 · Tom Guerra

Legendary luthier Jol Dantzig’s “Team Built” lineup comprises guitars handcrafted by a small group of artisans under his direction. One…

King Snake Three Bone

Latter-Day “Legend”

February 9, 2023 · Michael Dregni

Gibson’s ES-5 is a legend, but it’s also a bit idiosyncratic thanks to funky out-of-phase pickups and a non-intuitive control…

Matchless JJ-30

Stage Staunch

May 9, 2019 · Dave Hunter

Rare and sought-after, in part because only about 40 were built, the Matchless JJ-30 John Jorgenson is the only Signature…

Jimmy James’ Psychedelic R&B

September 4, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

“Parlor Strut” on a vintage Harmony! Proving that ’60s import guitars can make cool sounds, Parlor Greens guitarist Jimmy James…

Genzler Acoustic Array Pro

Pro on the Go

July 23, 2019 · Pete Prown

As gigs at coffeehouses, street festivals, and farmers’ markets become more common, a growing legion of performers is being supported…

  • Carr Skylark Special 1×12

    Carr Skylark Special 1×12

    Take Flight

    Arriving a little more than 10 years after the original Skylark, Carr Amplifiers’ new Skylark Special adds versatility and enhanced tonal depths to squeeze a lot more into this diminutive…

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ARTISTS

Shredding and songcraft – Kire Najdovski

December 22, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

Talas guitarist offers taste of “1985” Kire Najdovski does a great take on “Close to the Killer,” from Talas’ new…

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…

John Scofield

Variety is the Spice

October 9, 2014 · John Heidt

Veteran jazz guitarist John Scofield has released a second album with Uberjam, which includes drummer Adam Detich, guitarist Avi Bortnick,…

Mick Abrahams

This Was (And Still Is…)

November 30, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

British guitarist Mick Abrahams is best remembered for his work on Jethro Tull’s first album, This Was, followed by a…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Kramer Aluminum-Neck Basses

March 29, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

When it entered the music-instrument market in 1976, Kramer Guitars made a big splash with an aggressive marketing campaign, big-name…

The Pedulla Buzz Bass

Fast and Fretless

September 23, 2019 · Willie G. Moseley

Introduced in 1980, the M.V. Pedulla Buzz Bass is one of the most-enduring examples of an upscale model offered fretless.…

John Pizzarelli Swings On A Vintage D’angelico

September 4, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Jazz Ace on an Heirloom Guitar For this exclusive rendition of “Just In Time,” swing ace John Pizzarelli grabbed the…

Star Board: Joe Moss

Star Board: Joe Moss

December 18, 2015 · Vintage Guitar

Joe Moss is the archetypical blues “road dog,” regularly rolling out of his home base of Chicago to wail for…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Blackbird Guitars’ Lucky 13

Blackbird Guitars’ Lucky 13

Nice Roll

March 2, 2016 · Chip Wilson

Blackbird Guitars’ Lucky 13 Price: $1,850 (list)/$2,050 (with Fishman electronics) Info: www.blackbirdguitar.com What has a 13-fret neck, a small-but-curvaceous body…

Brimstone Audio Crossover Distortion XD-1

Bi-Amping in a Box

March 18, 2016 · Oscar Jordan

Brimstone Audio Crossover Distortion XD-1 Price: $299.95 Info: www.Brimstoneaudio.com. Brimstone Audio is a relatively new company that hit the ground…

ESPVIPER-HOME-MAIN-BIG

ESP LTD Viper 256P

Metal Cruncher

January 26, 2013 · Pete Prown

ESP LTD Viper 256P Price: $399 (street) Info: espguitars.com. In the protoplasmic days of heavy metal, Tony Iommi slashed away…

Ramble FX Twin Bender Fuzz

Whole Lotta Fuzz

March 4, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

Fuzz comes in a lot of flavors. From spitty or choked-off splat to gritty gated sounds, from classic ’60s to…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Fenders American Vintage Series

Devilish in Detail

December 11, 2013 · Phil Feser

Fender American Vintage Series Price: $2,400 retail/$1,999.99 street (’52 Telecaster); $2,874 retail/$2,299.99 street (’59 Stratocaster); $2,874 retail/$2,299 street (’65 Jazzmaster…

Johnny Nicholas

December 8, 2016 · Dan Forte

Central Texas folks might think of Johnny Nicholas as restaurateur; others know him as one of the most experienced, authentic,…

Boss MT-2 3A Metal Zone

Captain Crunch

November 10, 2022 · Pete Prown

Over the years, the Boss Metal Zone has often been lampooned for its ferocious personality. But if you plug one…

Mr. Sun

Plays Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

January 9, 2025 · Dan Forte

In 1960, Duke Ellington’s orchestra recorded his reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.” He and arranger Billy Strayhorn took ample liberties…

“Buy That Guitar” podcast with special guest Dave Hunter

December 3, 2025 · Ram W. Tuli

Season 03 Episode 07 In Episode 3.7 of Buy That Guitar, presented by Vintage Guitar magazine, host Ram Tuli is…

Pandemic Peak?

The Guitar Market’s “Covid Surge”

February 9, 2022 · Ward Meeker

In the September ’20 issue, VG surveyed guitar dealers to learn how they’d been impacted by the early weeks of…

Hall of Fame – Innovators

February 9, 2017 · Vintage Guitar

From 1991 to the present — read about each Readers' Choice Awards Innovators.

Jim Kweskin

Where Jazz Meets Folk

December 13, 2024 · Dan Forte

Jim Kweskin grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, and in 1958 entered Boston University, placing him near coffee houses at the…

Xotic ProVintage 5-String

July 3, 2019 · Pete Prown

Over the last few years Xotic has grown its rep thanks to top players who have endorsed its Leo-inspired guitars…

The No Ones

My Evil Best Friend

January 25, 2024 · Dennis Pernu

This latest in decades of collaborations between R.E.M. guitar man Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey is the pair’s third collection…

Guild Bluesbird

Flyin’ High Again

April 24, 2019 · Bob Cianci

The Guild Bluesbird has a long history that began in the 1950s with Guild’s answer to the Gibson Les Paul…

Greg Koch

Making It Work

May 4, 2022 · John Heidt

The latest release from guitar master Greg Koch is From the Up’Nuh with his son, Dylan, on drums and B3-whiz…

Gibson’s 17″ Pre-War Electrics

ES-300 of 1940-’43

December 1, 2014 · Andre R. Duchossoir

Among musicians and collectors, Gibson’s pre-World-War-II ES-300 may be less popular today than the ES-250, but in terms of sheer…

Spectrum 5

December 30, 2013 · Michael Wright

Joining playful mid-’60s cultural icons such as the Ford Mustang, NBC’s “The Monkees,” the Beatles’ “Nowhere Man” and Cassius Clay, the…

Rockn’ Stompn RS-4

Order!

May 8, 2025 · Joe Bigley

Powering up your favorite rig in the wrong order can lead to, at minimum, a loud pop through your valued…

Fender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb

Small Wonder

August 11, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

Fender’s ’68 Custom amp series has become popular among pickers who love old-school looks and sounds but prefer contemporary modifications…

Craig Ross

Rock and Roll, Alive and Well

November 28, 2016 · Johnny Zapp

Craig Ross is an integral part of the Lenny Kravitz sound. As lead guitarist and songwriting collaborator since the early…

Otis Redding

Live At The Whisky A Go Go: The Complete Recordings

July 5, 2018 · Oscar Jordan

“Are you ready for star time?” That’s the introduction by emcee Al “Brisco” Clark to the six-CD boxed-set of Otis…

Mike Zito

February 27, 2017 · John Heidt

Mike Zito’s latest serves up large helpings of boogie, blues, and roadhouse-ready rock. His guitar work is stellar as usual…

Lil’ Jimmy Reed with Ben Levin

Back To Baton Rouge

May 13, 2024 · Dan Forte

Leon Atkins got a cigar box guitar at six, after already playing harmonica. After subbing when blues legend Jimmy Reed…

John 5

In the Hands

November 2, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

On his latest album, John 5 stays true to himself as he dips into his famous bag of Tele tricks…

Music Nomad Precision Setup Gauge Set

The Set Up

May 8, 2025 · Julian Burtell

There’s nothing like playing a properly set-up guitar, but taking it to a repair shop can be expensive – especially…

Newman Guitars Lake Placid Blue

Portrait in Blue

July 5, 2018 · Rich Maloof

Excitement at the arrival of this offset beauty was dampened by the sad news that its creator had passed away…

Keb’ Mo’

Hearts and Ears

November 2, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

Keb’ Mo’s latest is folksy, endearing, and called Good To Be. Co-produced by Vince Gill and with Darius Rucker onboard,…

Carson Creation

One Very Personal Stratocaster

May 9, 2023 · Willie G. Moseley

An itinerant Western-music guitarist who befriended Leo Fender and other employees at his up-and-coming company in the early ’50s, Bill…

ZT Amplifiers’ Lunchbox Junior

Tasty Treat

September 29, 2013 · Erik Elkins

ZT Amplifiers Lunchbox Junior Price: $149 (street) Info: www.ztamplifiers.com. ZT Amplifiers is known for producing compact amps that generate sounds…

2022 August Issue on Spotify

August 3, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

This month we feature Black Crowes, Graham Nash, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Scofield, ZZ Top, Albert Cummings, Eric Johnson, Def Leppard,…

Sebastian Nagel’s Satisfying Funk

March 29, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Winston Brothers groove it up on “Drift” Sebastian Nagel and his band, The Winston Brothers, balance groove, melody, and space…

The Watkins Clubman

July 6, 2018 · Dave Hunter

The hokey, amphetamine-tempo’d folk music known as “skiffle” was all the rage with Britain’s youth in 1955, and rock and…