FEATURES
ROCCO PRESTIA
The Power of Tower
What has been called “the hardest-working right hand in the bass business” belongs to Francis “Rocco” Prestia, who for most of the last 40 years has been with soul ambassadors Tower Of Power. By Dan Forte
AMP-O-RAMA
1961 Ampeg M-15
It may have been more at home behind Wes Montgomery or Kenny Burrell on a small stage, but beneath its hood lies a bundle of ingredients found in desirable blues and classic rock amps from another maker! By Dave Hunter
1949 BIGSBY TENOR
By the 1950s, tenor guitarists were a dying breed. So electric tenor guitars are relatively rare, and this tenor guitar made by solidbody pioneer Paul Bigsby is one of the rarest of all electric guitars. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
BRAD PAISLEY
Keep Pushing Play
Country artists long ago left instrumental music in the scrap heap, but it dominates Brad Paisley’s new album, which reflects influences from Eric Johnson to Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith to Robben Ford. By Zac Childs
BROADCASTER 0033
A Fender “Holy Grail”
At first glance, one is struck by the clean condition of this very early Fender jewel. But look closer and you’ll find many features that make it even more noteworthy. By Ignacio “Nacho” Baños
REX SOLIDBODY
Most vintage-guitar enthusiasts are content to pursue well-known treasures, while others appreciate a good mystery like this circa 1959 Rex solidbody electric guitar, which has long resisted the forces of enlightenment. Can you help? By Michael Wright
BASS SPACE
Silvertone Basses by Danelectro
The Beatles’ appearance on Ed Sullivan in ’64 sent droves of aspiring guitarists to Sears to order a Silvertone instrument, made by Danelectro. Here are two prime examples. By Willie G. Moseley
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
Hound Dog Corp./Alessandro High-End Products
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Arlington ’08, Wishbone Ash Releases Live Argus, L.A. Amp Show, Young, Willcutt Adds Burriss Line, more!
Paul Barrere
The Feats and Famous Friends
By Willie G. Moseley
Albert Cummings
Building a Career
By John Heidt
Grayson Capps
Schizophrenic Rott
By John Heidt
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Whit Smith
Cowtown’s Six-String Swinger
By Dan Forte
Jimmy Herring
Southern Jazz-Rock Monster
By Pete Prown
Nils Lofgren
Tribute to a Mentor (And His Martin D-18)
By Willie G. Moseley
Monte Montgomery
By Pete Prown
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
Beat Portraits: The Four-String White Whale – Fender/Arbiter’s 1966 Slab-Body Precision Bass
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
The Mortgage Market
By Steven Stone
“401K” Guitars
Parker Guitars
By Gil Hembree
Fretprints
Magic Sam
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Saddle Hold-Still
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
Andy Brauer: Making a New Les Paul Sound “Vintage”
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
CD, DVD, and Book Reviews
Roy Orbison, Cheap Trick, B.B. King, Steve Hunter, Ike & Tina Turner, Hand Made, Hand Played, more!
Check This Action
Spanning The Globe
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
PRS Starla, TC Electronic Nova System, Reverend Roundhouse RT, GeekMacDaddy British Ball Breaker, Danelectro ’63 Guitar and Baritone
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!