FEATURES
BEDLAM IN BELGIUM!
Lord Bizarre’s Electric Guitar and Amp Museum
When most Americans think of Belgium, they typically think beer, chocolate, or waffles. But for those with a passion for unusual vintage electric guitars, the city of Leuven holds an extra treasure. By Joe Bigley
AMP-O-RAMA
The Oahu 230K Tone Master
Sold as part of a set when Hawaiian-guitar method books, music, and lessons ruled at 1,200 schools in the U.S., today it’s yet another rippin’ little 6V6-toting Valco tone machine. By Dave Hunter
THE MARTIN F-9
It has the dubious distinction of being rarer – but far less valuable – than a pre-war D-45. But it introduced the vertical C.F. Martin headstock logo and hexagonal fingerboard inlays that identified Martin D-series instruments. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
LES PAUL AND THE FIRST GIBSON ES-30O
Given all that has been revealed about the accomplishments of Les Paul, it’s rare that a new tile can be placed in the mosaic that forms a picture of his life. But here is one such piece of history. By Lynn Wheelwright
OLIVER LEIBER
Welcome to The Tone Zone
Raised awash in the classic sounds created by his composer father, he made a name for himself on both sides of the studio glass. Now he solves the mystery of the riddle, “What’s better than a great vintage ’Burst?” By Wolf Marshall
THE GRETSCH NASHVILLE 7660
The storied past of Gretsch is a microcosmic reflection of the many twists and turns of the American guitar industry. And while this 1972 Chet Atkins Nashville 7660 doesn’t have every element on that list, it has its share! By Michael Wright
BASS SPACE
The Peavey RJ-IV
Long before “American Idol,” Randy Jackson played bass alongside everyone from to Mariah Carey to Bruce Springsteen. And in 1990 he collaborated with Peavey to design and build this instrument. By Willie G. Moseley
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
GW Basses & Luthiery
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Builders Shine in Montréal, Burtonfest, Djangofest, Fender HoF, VG Hall nominations, Stolen Gear, In Memoriam, more!
Steve Cropper
An MGs/Rascals Soul Summit
By Dan Forte
Dave Specter
Sweet Home Chicago
By John Heidt
Richard Williams
Still Kickin’ with Kansas
By Willie G. Moseley
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Denny Jiosa
Instrumentally Sound
By John Heidt
Earl Klugh
Respect for the Nylon
By John Heidt
A Return to Music City
Highlights from Summer NAMM ’08
By Preston Gratiot
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
The Phantom Can-Can: The Pete “Buzz” Miller Story, Part 2
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Hand Upon the Trigger
By Steven Stone
“401K” Guitars
The Gibson Advanced Jumbo
By Gil Hembree
Fretprints
Lightnin’ Hopkins
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Funky Bushings on a ’59 Strat, Part 2
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
George Metropoulos: The Hows and Whys of Kit Amps
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
CD, DVD, and Book Reviews
Beach Boys box, Tony Rice, Greg Koch, Greg Howe, James Brown, Interactive Gibson Bible, more!
Check This Action
Blue-Eyed Soul Men
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Blackstar Artisan 15/30, Seymour Duncan P-Rails, Dino’s Guitars Rust Box/Dynabox, Sommatone Roaring 40, Gary Kramer Guitars Kramertorium
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
