FEATURES
ON THE ROAD TO ’59
Gibson‘s late-’70s/early-’80s Les Paul “Pre-Reissues” Despite going through a period of great strife, Gibson responded to player demand and produced several guitars that emulated the beloved Les Paul Standard – with mixed results. By Mike Slubowski
DAN FOGELBERG
Playing Beyond Peoria His plaintive voice, evocative songs, and prowess on guitar have resulted in platinum album sales. Today, he continues to record and tour – and maintain his collection of cool vintage axes. By Willie G. Moseley
(CALLING ALL) ANGELS TONIGHT
Jesse Valenzuela Revisits the Gin Blossoms They learned much in the last decade, including how “Move it or lose it” is one of rock and roll’s most ruthless truisms. But the members of Gin Blossoms also know that what goes around comes around. By Ralph Heibutzki
GUILD LIBERATOR ELITE
A limited, top-of-the-line example of Guild‘s solidbody efforts, it’s also one of the last guitars produced before the company got out of the solidbody game in the late ’80s. And it’s drop-dead gorgeous – almost too beautiful to play. By Michael Wright.
THE BASS PACE
Metropolitan’s Tanglewood The Houston-based Alamo Music is known for its uniquely-styled instruments. The Tanglewood bass, inspired by National‘s ’60s “map” guitars, is exemplary. And it almost never existed! By Willie G. Moseley
THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
Starfield Guitars One of the many brands-that-never-quite-made-it that inspires devotion among certain collectors, and for good reason; both American- and Japanese-made models are excellent instruments. By Michael Wright
DEPARTMENTS
Reader Mail
First Fret: News and Notes
Harp guitar refurb, Del Casher Jams with Mary Kaye, Eric Sardinas, Ben Lacy, Chris Poland, In Memoriam: Speedy West, more.
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Dealer News
Builder Profile
Top Hat Amps
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
VG Hall of Fame Inductees
The Great VG Giveaway 2004
Win T-Rex Mac 1 and a Big Foot MIDI Controller!
Readers Gallery
Dealer Directory
COLUMNS
Executive Rock
The Shepard/Grissom Memorial Res-O-Glas Ride
By Willie G. Moseley
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
Arlington Acoustic Jam
By Steven Stone
FretPrints
Ritchie Blackmore
By Wolf Marshall
Bitter Ol’ Guitar Curmudgeon
Squelching the Squealing
By Stephen White
Gigmeister
Programming Multi-Effects Units
By Riley Wilson
TECH
Guitar Shop
Open Mind and Open Ears
By Tony Nobles
Amps
Versed in the Vernacular, Part 4
By Gerald Weber
Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
Music, Video, and Book Reviews: Bob Dylan on SACD, ZZ Top, Motorhead, Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Hendrix, more!
Check This Action
Scorsese Blows The Blues
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Cornford Hurricane, Fender Strat-o-Sonic, Incase Tour Bag!
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!