June 2005

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FEATURES

1953 GIBSON LES PAUL JUNIOR
Gibson records tell us the Les Paul Junior was introduced in 1954. But this instrument has tone and volume pot codes from ’53. It also differs in regard to other specifications, most notably that its neck joint differs from any other Junior. By George Gruhn

IN DETAIL
Gibson’s 1954-’58 Les Paul Junior
Aimed at the entry-level market, the Junior was launched in 1954 to great response. If you’re looking for one today, you’ll first want to read this guide to one of the grittiest rock machines ever made. By Ward Meeker

BASS SPACE
The Robin Freedom
Much like this instrument’s headstock, the company used a reverse line of thought in manufacturing; it’s one of the few lines that started life as an import and is now U.S.-made. By Willie G. Moseley

ADRIAN BELEW
Musical Modernist
He has gigged with Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, and of course, King Crimson. He also has an offshoot band, and his most recent solo effort includes bassist Les Claypool and drummer Danny Carey. By Willie G. Moseley

1976 HAGSTROM JIMMY
In 1968, the Sweden-based Hagstrom company recruited legendary builder James D’Aquisto to design its archtop jazz guitars. Not bad for a company most associate with little double-cutaway guitars covered in vinyl, with plastic pickup assemblies. By Michael Wright

ON THE ROAD TO ’59
Part 2; Gibson Les Paul Reissues 1983-’93
In 1983, Gibson finally released a model called the Les Paul Reissue. And it was an immediate hit, with features that more closely resembled a late-’50s Les Paul Standard. By Mike Slubowski

THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
Molding a New Idea of Guitars, Part 2
More of our look at the synthetics used in guitar construction. Whether for reasons sonic, aesthetic, or from a manufacturing perspective, disappearing resources are not always the primary motivation. By Michael Wright

DEPARTMENTS

Dealer News

Vintage Guitar Price Guide

Builder Profile
Babicz Guitars

Upcoming Events

Vintage Guitar Classified Ads

Dealer Directory

Readers Gallery

FIRST FRET

Reader Mail

News and Notes
Ray Benson’s Birthday Bash, FMIC Turns 20, VoxFest VI, Entwistle anthology, John5 update, In Memoriam, more!

Steve Vai
Crafting Musical Illusions
By Lisa Sharken

Executive Rock
Andy Sipowicz Goes E-Shopping
By Willie G. Moseley

Collection Sells for Charity
By Thomas Van Hoose, Ph.D

Classic Concerts
Cream, Atlanta, 1968
By Willie G. Moseley

Ask Zac
By Zac Childs

Tommy Emmanuel
Down-Under Dazzler
By Willie G. Moseley

John Bullard
Banjo Baroque
By Steven Stone

Webb Wilder
Full-Grown Rocker Comes Full Circle
By John Heidt

COLUMNS

Q&A With George Gruhn

Acousticville
Festivals, Wacky Designs…
By Steven Stone

FretPrints
Robben Ford
By Wolf Marshall

Gigmeister
A “Burst” For the Rest of Us
By Riley Wilson

TECH

Dan’s Guitar Rx
Nibs: Tightening Up Loose Ends
By Dan Erlewine

Guitar Shop
Strong Case for a Good Case
By Tony Nobles

Amps
Amplifier First Aid, Gig-Style
By Gerald Weber

Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber

REVIEWS

The VG Hit List
Music, Book and Video Reviews: Bloomfield, Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Duke Robillard & Ronnie Earl, Tab Benoit, John Pizzarelli, Kenny Burrell, The Stella Guitar Book, more!

Check This Action
Documentaries 101
Dan Forte

Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Danelectro 56 Pro, Babicz Acute, Carl Martin PlexiTone/DeLayla, Kammerer 10-2HNG!

Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!

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