FEATURES
WARNER HODGES
Ahead of His Time… Two Times
The son of musicians who toured with USO bands, he grew up immersed in “cry in your beer” country. As a member of the cutting-edge “alt country” band Jason and the Scorchers, he flirted with fame and fortune. By Ward Meeker
AMP-O-RAMA
The Hiwatt Custom 50
Marshall might have established valvulicious rock lead tone in the late 1960s, but for power and punch, Hiwatt ruled the roost. This one used the same circuit as the famed Custom 100, minus four output tubes. By Dave Hunter
GIBSON PRE-WAR ELECTRIC BASS
The fretted electric bass perfected and popularized by Fender’s Precision of 1951 was not a new concept at the dawn of the electric era. This instrument, one of three known to exist, bears proof it was fairly developed by the ’30s. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
THE DUANE ALLMAN “LAYLA” GUITAR?
A ’57 Gibson Les Paul Emerges To Tell a Story
Taken in trade by a music store in Florida, it was sold to a local recording studio in 1977. Shortly afterward, its new owner started to wonder if maybe it wasn’t much more than just another Les Paul. By Ward Meeker
BERNIE LARSEN
Sideman, Solo Artist, Engineer, Producer, Independent Spirit
As a sideman, he stands above the crowd for wearing many hats and the distinctive voice and sensibility he brings to the roles. But better evidence of those traits is demonstrated on his solo records. By Dan Forte
ST. MORITZ STEREO
The mass-produced stereo guitar didn’t become a reality until Jimmie Webster persuaded Gretsch to develop the White Falcon in 1955. Gibson followed in ’56 with the stereo ES-345, and a decade later this guitar was introduced, sort of a “poor man’s alternative.” By Michael Wright
BASS SPACE
The B.C. Rich Stealth
Using a platform co-designed by Rick Derringer, this rare axe was custom-built for Richie King of the L.A. band Sorcery, which shared the stage with Van Halen and other SoCal hard rock acts. By Willie G. Moseley
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
King Amplification
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
The VG Hall of Fame Giveaway
Vote Today! You could win a vintage Eko 500/4V!
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
New book chronicles Gilmour Strat, ZZ Top sets smaller-venue tour, Ralph Stanley recognized, In Memoriam, more!
Redd Volkaert
Reddy and Willing
By Rick Allen
Mike Zito
Chance Encounters
By John Heidt
Walter Becker
Back to Bass-ics
By John Heidt
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Jon Herington
Dan Man
By John Heidt
Mark Karan
Dead and the Dog
By Wally Marx, Jr.
Mike Keneally
The Uncommon Guitar God
By Pete Prown
Peter Cooper
Nashville Storyteller
By Dan Forte
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
The Wandering Jaywalker: The Pete “Buzz” Miller Story, Part 3
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Time to Clear Shelf Space?
By Steven Stone
“401K” Guitars
Early B.C. Rich Guitars
By Gil Hembree
Fretprints
Paul Kossoff
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
A Guitar Rx First!
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
George Metropoulos: Buiding a Kit Amp
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
CD, DVD, and Book Reviews
Taj Mahal, Jan & Dean, Jim Stringer, John Mayer, John Pizzarelli, The Black Strat, more!
Check This Action
Bands & Byrds
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
ESP GL-56, US Masters TVA30, M&P Old Time Special, Mercury Magnetics Fender Champion 600 Kit, Steinberger ZT3 Custom
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!