FEATURES
LEFTY FRIZZELL’S GIBSON/BIGSBY J-200
Lefty Frizzell was one of country music’s most influential artists, and a true honky-tonker. With his first royalty checks, he bought a diamond ring, a Nudie suit, and this SJ-200, and took it straight to Paul Bigsby. By Dan Forte
GUILD STRATFORD X-350
Few companies have successfully marketed both acoustic and electric guitars. Once Epiphone was no longer an independent company, Guild was Gibson’s only real competitor in the archtop market. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
NUDIE’S MOSRITE MANDO
In the mid 1970s, Kosmo and Kathy Cominos collected knives, jukeboxes, wristwatches, etc… But their favorite finds were celebrity-associated musical instruments like this unique Mosrite mandolin, built for Nudie Cohn, the renowned cowboy tailor. By Ward Meeker
G.L. STILES SOLIDBODY
Its hint of “American primitive” construction proves it’s one of the earliest guitars from the renowned West Virginia luthier. After considerable detective work and with a lot of luck, we‘ve saved Stiles’ story from possibly slipping into obscurity. By Michael Wright
ICON CORNER
1973 Zemaitis Doubleneck
Zemaitis instruments are true works of art, with the ultimate “Who’s Who” list of players. And while all Tony Z. axes have unique tops, this is perhaps one of two doublenecks by the late master. By Willie G. Moseley
TOM SCHOLZ
A Wizard Re-Works His Magic
As a 20-something product engineer, he spent his spare time recording songs in his basement. Those songs became part of a 17x-platinum album, and were recently given a fresh digital polish. By Ward Meeker
MARK SEBASTIAN
Craving For Craviolas
As a teenager in the mid ’60s, he co-wrote a smash hit for the Lovin’ Spoonful. And as a burgeoning recording artist in the early ’70s became an endorser for the unique Giannini Craviola. By Willie G. Moseley
THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
Engineering Art: German Guitars, Part I
If Germany hadn’t been defeated in WWII, German guitars might never have been a part of the American guitar landscape. And if it weren’t for the Beatles, a discussion of them might be academic! By Michael Wright
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
DM Darling Guitars
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Clifford Antone remembered, Easton update, new releases, Montreaux Jazz on DVD, In Memoriam, more!
Rick Nielsen
Rockford State of Mind
By Willie G. Moseley
Nick Colionne
Smooth and Cool
By John Heidt
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
J.J. Cale
Up Close & Personal
By Dan Forte
Gary Moore
Remembering Phil Lynott
By Willie G. Moseley
Eric Gales’ Crystal Vision
By Oscar Jordan
Andy Timmons
No Texas Typecast By Willie G. Moseley
Dueling Gut-Strings
The Blazing Guitars of Del Castillo
By Dan Forte
COLUMNS
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
I Want to Be Like Mike… and Matt
By Steven Stone
Fretprints
Jeff Beck
By Wolf Marshall
TECH
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Bolt It On!
By Dan Erlewine
Guitar Shop
A Cluster of Queries
By Tony Nobles
Amps
Simply Functional
By Gerald Weber
Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
Music and Video Reviews: Booker T. & The MG’s, Buck Page, Popa Chubby, Hacienda Brothers, Gary Moore, Freddy King, Darrell Scott, Fogerty Long Road Home DVD, more!
Check This Action
Music With No Expiration Date
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Charles Fox Ergo, Ernie Ball Axis SS and SM-Y2D, Nik Huber Orca, Magnus Ultimate Attenuator
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
