FEATURES
BRENT ROWAN
Nashville Trail Blazer
The studio vet has worked with everyone from George Jones to Robert Plant. A strong religious upbringing kept him from listening to pop music in his youth, but taught him much about how music can affect people. By Zac Childs
AMP-O-RAMA
The “Silverface” Fender Princeton Reverb
The definitive “student amp,” this diminutive wailer has long been the secret weapon of elite guitarists at the other end of the scale. And it lost very little in the transition from “blackface” to “silverface.” By Dave Hunter
GIBSON’S “BLOND” J-35
Guitar enthusiasts often consider the finish Fender applied to its early Teles and Esquires to be quintessential “blond.” But those were not the original blond guitars. Behold this extremely rare offering from the house of Orville! By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
HOWARD LEESE
Heart-Less But Guitar-Laden
He was an integral member of Heart when “Barracuda” swam up the charts, and helped the band achieve superstar status. These days he jams with Paul Rodgers, is recording a solo album, and builds custom guitars. By Wolf Marshall
SLIM BRYANT
Early Country Guitar’s Last Man Standing
Widely credited as the first country guitarist to infuse jazz and pop harmonies into the genre, he’s the last living link between pre-World-War-II country music and the 21st century. This December, he turns 100. By Rich Kienzle
THE KALAMAZOO KG-1
Its brand may not be on a top-flight list of collectibles, but there’s much to this humble instrument that makes it special, not the least of which is the fact it’s technologically innovative and, well… it was actually made by Gibson! By Michael Wright
BASS SPACE
The Turner Model 1
Rick Turner, former guitarist for Ian and Sylvia, built the first Alembics before founding his own company and offering some of the most unique axes to come out of California. This was his first bass. By Willie G. Moseley
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
Dino’s Guitars
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
The Jazzmaster Turns 50, Wayman Tisdale update, Martin sells prototypes, Dean Zelinksky’s new guitars, In Memoriam, more!
Jerry Reed
1937-2008
By Rich Kienzle
David Berzansky
Steel Wheeler
By Wally Marx, Jr.
Frank Carillo
World Traveler, Gretsch lover
By Willie G. Moseley
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Buzz Campbell
Hot Rod Rockabilly
By Wally Marx, Jr.
Greg Howe
Solving the Mystery
By John Heidt
Gerry Beaudoin
In The Swing of Things
By Willie G. Moseley
Mark Selby
Triple-Crown Winner
By John Heidt
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
Beat Portraits: English R&B, Cradle of the Rock Guitar Hero
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Play Nice!
By Steven Stone
Guitars With Guts
1918 Enrique Garcia No. 195
By R.E. Bruné
“401K” Guitars
The Price Point of Change
By Gil Hembree
Fretprints
Buck Owens and Don Rich
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Big Blues Setup
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
George Metropoulos: Building a Kit Amp, Part 3 – The Test!
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
CD, DVD, and Book Reviews
Experience Hendrix, CCR, Jerry Douglas, Elvin Bishop, ZZ Top, The Clash, The Fretless Bass, more!
Check This Action
Musicians’ Musicians
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Guitar cabinets by Guitar Armoire, Access N Sight, Guitarmadore; L-Style Guitars by H&D, Gibson, and Running Dog; Burriss Royal Bluesman; Burns Steer Cutaway; V Pick
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!