FEATURES
GIBSON ES-175 SPECIAL WURLITZER
Through the 1960s, Gibson made many custom instruments that mixed and matched specifications from various models. Few have been as intriguing as this custom thinline from 1955, made for musician Andy Nelson. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
SINGING COWBOYS, FANCY ACOUSTICS
Autry Museum Highlights Early Guitar Heroes
The fruition of a singing cowboy’s dream to “exhibit and interpret the heritage of the West and show how it influenced America and the world,” this amazing facility cares for several incredible guitars. By Frank Lucido
THE DR. Z CARMEN GHIA
Before the “dawn” of the boutique amp movement, a drummer started building amps that avoided being mere clones, used simple circuits, and kept prices realistic. No design embodies these credos more than this model. By Dave Hunter
STEVE HUNTER
The Deacon Sets It Straight
The creator and executor of some of rock and roll guitar’s most memorable moments, he invented legendary licks for Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, and Peter Gabriel. Today, he stays active in other high-profile gigs. By Rick Allen
THE HAGSTROM EDP46 DELUXE
The post-WWII global economy created everything from computers to plastics. And in America, the resulting “baby boom” eventually created demand for guitars like this one – a candidate for first electric guitar imported for the U.S. market. By Michael Wright
JOE LONG’S “STACK-KNOB” FENDER JAZZ
Any early-’60s Fender Jazz Bass catches the eye of the aficionado. But “lefty” versions are especially intriguing, given their rarity, and this one belonging to former Four Seasons bassist Joe Long recorded several hits. By Willie G. MoseleyAutr
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
Intime Design
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Deke’s Geekfest ’09, Keeley Bounces Back, PRS/VG Donate Guitar, Leo Fender Receives Grammy, In Memoriam, more!
Sonny Burgess
Sun Survior
By Wallace Marx Jr
Brian Tarquin
Six-String Focus
By John Heidt
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Alex Machacek
Fiery Fusion Upstart
By Pete Prown
Winter NAMM ’09
By Preston Gratiot
Allen Hinds
Ace Sideman, Killer Solo Disc
By Pete Prown
Roger Filgate
Beyond Wishbone
By Willie G. Moseley
Jason Isbell
Group Effort
By John Heidt
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
The Burns Story, Vol. 4: Shadows and Light
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Humidity and Humility
By Steven Stone
Fretprints
The ’60s Stones
By Wolf Marshall
“401K” Guitars
1960s Supro Amps
By Gil Hembree
TECH
Talkin’ Amps With…
Orin Portnoy: Today’s Jensen Speakers
By David Jung
Shop of Hard Knocks
Top 10 $10 Tricks, Part One
By Will Kelly
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
CD, DVD, and Book Reviews: Willie & The Wheel, John Black, Chris Duarte, Seth Walker, Joe Ely, Super Swede: Hagstrom Guitars, more!
Check This Action
Still Making Waves
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Reason SM25, KSM 358, Hard Truckers Psychedelic Liberator, Flaxwood Liekki, Luna Paz Lenchantin bass, MXR ’76 Dyna Comp, Way Huge pedals, CP Thornton Fusion guitars, Godin Richmond Belmont, WCR BetSet pickups
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
