FEATURES
TELE OF TWO LEGENDS
The Amazing Story of One Unique Fender
One day in the mid 1950s, up-and-coming thoroughbred jockey Bill Shoemaker was playing host to his friend, bandleader Hank Penny, who had come calling with a special gift in a brown case. By Ward Meeker
DAVID BROMBERG
Bandleader Turned Shopkeeper Tries One More Time
After sessions with Bob Dylan, Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and others, he disbanded one of the tightest, most eclectic bands ever – to study violin making. Plus, a look at his collection of instruments. By Dan Forte
AMP-O-RAMA
The Danelectro Twin Twelve
Sometimes, a funky old amp wanders along that makes you wish you’d paid more attention as a kid to what was lurking in garage sales. This one from the mid 1950s is one of them. By Dave Hunter
THE GIBSON K-5 MANDOCELLO
Prior to Lloyd Loar, the mandocello was simply a mandolin tuned to the same pitch as a cello. But as part of Loar’s Style 5 Master Model Series, it helped set a design standard that endures today. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
NATIONAL RESO-PHONIC BAJO SEXTO
“J.J.” Barrera is an in-demand triple-threat sideman who has played electric bass, bajo sexto, and upright. His bajo of choice is this unique instrument made by the modern-day National company. By Dan Forte
FRANK MARINO
Tools of the Trade
For players, a collection of classic guitars is something to be admired. But most earn a living using “road” axes; maybe vintage, often modified for the sake of sound. Such is the case for Frank Marino. By Willie G. Moseley
STELLA CONCERT
Had Leadbelly not played a Stella 12-string, the brand might only have been remembered as the name on cheap acoustics from Harmony. Instead, it holds an esteemed place in guitar history. By Michael Wright
BASS SPACE
The St. Blues Blues King
Springing from a music store where employees fixed and modded instruments, their conversions of certain models proved popular among notable rockers in the 1970s. By Willie G. Moseley
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
Headstrong Amplifiers & KSM Guitars
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Gibson battles imported counterfeits, Les Paul museum, new Foghat live disc, “Last of the Breed” tour, In Memoriam, more!
Dale Watson
Brotherly Love (Or Not)
By John Heidt
Marc Ford
Tone King Flies Solo
By John Heidt
Bob Welch
Still in the (Future) Game
By Willie G. Moseley
Jimmy McIntosh
Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here
By John Heidt
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
Lee Ritenour
40 Years of Keeping Busy
By John Heidt
Mark Chatfield
Struttin’ With Seeger
By Steven Douglas Losey
Elektra Records
From Judy Collins to Iggy Pop
By Dan Forte
COLUMNS
The (Way) Back Beat
Sell, Sell, Sell
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Requiem for a Collector
By Steven Stone
“401K” Guitars
Supply and Demand
By Gil Hembree
Fretprints
Bo Diddley
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Guitar Shop
Set to “Max Rock”
By Tony Nobles
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Fixing a Hybrid
By Dan Erlewine
Talkin’ Amps With…
Billy Yates: Vintage Amps Under $1,000, Part Four: Airline
By David Jung
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
Los Lobos, Frank Vignola, Warren Haynes, Fountains of Wayne, Gibson Guitars: Ted McCarty’s Golden Era, 1948-1966, more!
Check This Action
Musical Sanctuaries
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Red Iron amplifiers, Fender ’57 Twin Amp/’57 Deluxe, Line 6 POD XT Live.
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!