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Harp Legend Charlie Musselwhite

Harp legend Charlie Musselwhite has recorded and performed with a stunning array of guitarists in his band – Harvey Mandel, Luther Tucker, Robben Ford, Junior Watson, Charlie Sexton, Kid Anderson, and steeler Freddie Roulette to name but a few. Here, he takes the reins (strings?) himself, using his Gibson Nighthawk plugged into a Magnatone Varsity Deluxe to play a bit. In the May issue, we review his latest album, “Lookout Highway.” Here’s our review. Read Now!

Rick Derringer 1947-2025

We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Rick Derringer, legendary rock guitarist and songwriter known for playing classic collectibles. Watch for our memorial in the August issue, and here’s our in-depth interview with Derringer from 1998.

Harp Legend Charlie Musselwhite

Harp legend Charlie Musselwhite has recorded and performed with a stunning array of guitarists in his band – Harvey Mandel, Luther Tucker, Robben Ford, Junior Watson, Charlie Sexton, Kid Anderson, and steeler Freddie Roulette to name but a few. Here, he takes the reins (strings?) himself, using his Gibson Nighthawk plugged into a Magnatone Varsity Deluxe to play a bit. In the May issue, we review his latest album, “Lookout Highway.” Here’s our review. Read Now!

Rick Derringer 1947-2025

We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Rick Derringer, legendary rock guitarist and songwriter known for playing classic collectibles. Watch for our memorial in the August issue, and here’s our in-depth interview with Derringer from 1998.

Classic Instruments

Yamaha SA-15

Our perception of Japanese guitars has evolved slowly. At one point, they were cheap toys, at other times imperfect copies, then startling innovations. Perspective encircles the truth. So, how should we perceive the Yamaha SA-15? Japan became interested in guitars in the early 1920s, as some musicians there began to perform what we’d today call […]

by Michael Wright
Artists

Belfast Bluesman Dom Martin

Gallagher, Buchanan Inspiration! Dom Martin grew up listening to blues-guitar legends including his Irish countryman Rory Gallagher, and has created his own sprawling musical vision. Here, he plugs his Vintage V100 Peter Green Lemon Drop (with House of Tone pickups) plugged into his Victory Super Duchess to play “Unhinged” from his latest album, “Buried in The […]

by Vintage Guitar
Have Guitar Will Travel

Have Guitar Will Travel – Featuring 003 David Victor

David Victor wrote, recorded, and produced his first album in 1991, then later formed Velocity. A video of him doing Boston’s “Smokin’” led to joining that band. He also worked with Ronnie Montrose and today is lead vocalist and guitarist with David Victor: The Hits of Boston and More, Platinum Rockstars, David Victor’s Supergroup, and […]

Music

Allan Holdsworth

The Man Who Changed Guitar Forever!

With a career spanning 45 years, Allan Holdsworth’s blistering, bop-fueled legato radically altered our approach to electric guitar, and he’s now the recipient of this 12-CD retrospective (for those in the cheap seats, check out the two-CD version, Eidolon). Listen to “Checking Out” from 1982’s I.O.U. album and you already know he’s moving into new […]

Artists

Michael Lee Firkins

Meditations in Southern Rock

Michael Lee Firkins began his career as the ’80s shred era wound down and grunge began to boom. His out-of-the-box guitar style showcased a blend of country, blues, and hi-tech rock. His new release, a Southern-rock opus called Yep, was about a decade in the making, as other projects – even other albums – called […]

Riversong Guitars Tradition One Performer
VG Approved Gear

Riversong Guitars Tradition One Performer

New Tradition

Riversong Guitars Tradition One Performer Price: $3,299 (list) Contact: www.riversongguitars.com Occasionally, a luthier’s innovation defines a new acoustic guitar sound. The Riversong Tradition One Performer blends modern build techniques, visionary design, and Canadian timbers to achieve a sonic profile as unique as Django’s Maccaferri or Bukka White’s National. On the surface, the Tradition One Performer […]

Artists

Jackie Venson

Emotional Intelligence

Soul-pop stylist Jackie Venson has been conquering the road-warrior touring circuit, and gained an enviable spot on Gary Clark, Jr.’s tour. The Strat-wielding songstress’ new EP, Transcends, extends her melodic reach to a wider audience with a bundle of passion, fretboard acumen, and conviction. With a pleasing voice, an ear for melody, composing chops, and […]

Artists

Dean DeLeo and Tom Bukovac unite on the trip the witch

Cosmic Convergence

At a glance, there’s little reason to connect a guitarist like Dean DeLeo to one like Tom Bukovac. One is ’90s-rock royalty, the other a modern-day Nashville studio legend. Strange times, though, can lead to notable things like their new (mostly) guitar instrumental album/project, Trip The Witch. One day early in the pandemic, a friend […]

Classic Instruments

Yamaha Weddington Custom

A Better “Classic”

In 1987, classic American guitars like the Les Paul and Stratocaster were still going strong, with few changes since their first appearance in the early ’50s. Thus it was a little cheeky when Yamaha tried to improve on these “dinosaurs” (as their ads put it), but the result was one of the company’s most-successful guitars, […]

Artists

Steve Dawson and his Tricone, “Singin’ the Blues”

Roots Artists Expands the Genren The wildly talented Steve Dawson uses a modern National Tricone for this take on “Singin’ the Blues,” then offers a look at his Celtic Cross Weissenborn and Strat used on the new album, “Eyes Closed, Dreaming.” He’s playing through the ’53 Fender Deluxe behind him. Fans of slide guitar will […]

Music

Official Keith Emerson Tribute Concert

Various artists

Five years ago, keyboardist Keith Emerson sadly ended his life, but a half-decade later, his work still resonates through the music of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, the Nice, and other collaborations. Keith also introduced a generation of rockers to classical music, pioneered electronic keyboards, and was a founding father of prog. In the spring of […]

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Artists

Randy Bachman

The Album Title Says It All

Canadian guitarist/guitar collector Randy Bachman is known worldwide for his classic licks in songs by the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, but he has also recorded jazz with the likes of Duke Robillard, J. Geils, and Gerry Beaudoin. “Those albums got great reviews, but I eventually realized I’m really a rockin’ blues guy,” Bachman reflected. […]

Artists

Dad’s Day 2021

VG’s Annual Salute to Fathers Who Inspire

Marty Ashby’s very musical family has been playing together since he was a little kid. Here’s a shot of them in 1969; dad Jim (who operated Ashby Music in Baldwinsville, New York, and carried the Rickenbacker line) is playing a 1960 Fender Jazzmaster, Marty’s on a custom-order short-scale ’68 Rick, mom Henrietta is on bass, […]

Artists

The Mystery Lights: Garage Punk Meets Musicianship

Influences From the Kinks to Beefheart The Mystery Lights’ Mike Brandon used his ’60s Silvertone 1429 plugged into a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for this exclusive run through “Together Lost,” from their new album, “Purgatory.” Catch our review in the January issue. Read Now!

Artists

Have Guitar Will Travel 069 – Brian Moss

James Patrick Regan welcomes Brian Moss to Episode 69 of “Have Guitar Will Travel.” Guitarist in the jam band Spafford, Moss grew up in New Jersey, learning to play guitar with his brother. Things sometimes got competitive! When he felt restless on his Epiphone Les Paul, Moss would change things up by “stealing” his brother’s […]

Blackstar ARTIST 15 Home Feature
Newswire

Blackstar Nominated for NAMM TEC Award

Each year, the NAMM Foundation gathers artists, fans, and music-industry professionals for an evening celebrating the achievements of producers, engineers, creators, and companies. This year’s NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity Awards (TEC) ceremony will take place January 21 in Anaheim, honoring technical achievement in 25 categories and creative achievement in eight categories. Blackstar’s Artist Series amplifiers have been nominated […]

Artists

Dave Murray

Maiden Voyager

After 46 years, Iron Maiden is still reinforcing its stature as a legendary heavy metal band. Senjutsu, the British juggernaut’s 17th studio album, has earned critical praise. It’s also the band’s highest-charting album ever in the U.S., debuting at #3 on Billboard. Clocking in at more than 80 minutes, Senjutsu is the follow-up to 2015’s […]

Classic Instruments

Gretsch Country Gentleman

Consider American guitar manufacturers that have been in business during the last 100 years and the different instruments they’ve produced. Only a handful  have become cultural icons – given no information except “Les Paul,” “Stratocaster,” “Telecaster,” and “White Falcon,” even non-players can identify them as guitars. It’s not uncommon to hear “Telecaster? That’s a Fender […]

Artists

Edgy Alt-Blues from Jesse Dayton and Samantha Fish

Duo rips on “Settle For Less” Proving that sparks can fly when regional styles collide, Texas native Jesse Dayton and Kansas City’s own Samantha Fish dole out edgy alt-blues on “Settle For Less,” from their stellar new album “Death Wish Blues.” The disc runs the gamut from traditional blues to pop and heavy rock, all […]

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