• Orangewood Berkeley Live

    Stephen Stone

    Orangewood Berkeley Live

    Professional Finesse

    Orangewood. Why not Ironwood or Peachwood? What does the brand name matter compared to the actual guitar? The simple answer is “A lot.” The Berkeley is part of Orangewood’s Topanga all-solid-wood series. It has a dreadnought body, pau ferro back and sides, scalloped braces, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and bridge, 44-millimeter Tusq nut, and a…

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  • Bohemian Boho Moonshine

    Stephen Stone

    Bohemian Boho Moonshine

    In The Can

    Here at VG, we see all manner of guitars – those made out of steel, graphite, even animal shells. But I’d never seen a guitar with a body made of a can until I saw a Bohemian Boho Series guitar. Obviously the novelty factor played a part in Bohemian’s decision to base a series of…

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  • Taylor 814ce

    Stephen Stone

    Taylor 814ce

    New Life at 40

    Taylor 814ce Price: $4,378 (list); $3,399 (street) Info: www.taylorguitars.com Of all the guitars in Taylor’s product line, the 814ce is one of the most popular. Most manufacturers are loath to fix something that isn’t broken, but Taylor went back to the drawing board and for their fortieth anniversary designed an all-new Taylor 814ce. While longtime…

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  • Bob Dunn

    Stephen Stone

    Bob Dunn

    Origin Jazz Library

    Bob Dunn was the amplified steel guitar’s first stylist. More than 75 years after his first appearances on record, Dunn still amazes those who have never heard early music on electric-steel guitar. This two-disc box set contains 53 newly remastered performances from original 78-r.p.m. vinyl recordings, as well as a booklet including four detailed histories.…

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  • Stephen Stone

    Keith Whitley – Sad Songs and Waltzes

    The late Keith Whitley, who died at age 33 of acute alcohol poi-soning, was an example of why it isn’t always a good idea to try to live your lyrics if you’re country music singer. He started as a child, singing on the radio by age nine, and at 15 he was touring with Ralph…

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