FEATURES

FENDER’S 50th ANNIVERSARY STRAT
Height of the Reissue
Fender’s most important reissue denotes the model that is the epitome of a pop music legend, and a huge part of Fender’s history and lore. By Ward Meeker

BASS SPACE
1965 Gibson Thunderbird
Looking to finally make a real dent in Fender’s solidbody bass market, in the mid ’60s Gibson launched a line of electric guitars and basses that emulated Fender’s latest designs. By Willie G. Moseley

J.J. CALE
Interviews with the press-shy songwriting legend are rare, but he opens up considerably at the opportunity to talk about the musicians who have covered his songs, and the reason he got into the music business in the first place: the guitar. By Dan Forte

D’AQUISTO CUSTOM OVAL-HOLE
This 1971 instrument represents a transition from James D’Aquisto’s early traditional-design instruments to the more modern, with a no-frills, unornamented fingerboard, as well as an ebony pickguard, bridge, and tailpiece. By George Gruhn

KERRY LIVGREN
Real-Life Back to the Future
He dropped out of the rock and roll rat race in 1983 to pursue a career in contemporary Christian music. Lately, though, his attention has been focused on a reunited early version of Kansas. By Willie G. Moseley

1988 PEAVEY VANDENBERG
Guitarmakers have long enlisted famous players to endorse their instruments. Peavey made the step to a signature guitar in 1988 with the recruitment of hot Dutch guitarist Adrian Vandenberg and the distinctive Vandenberg Signature model. By Michael Wright

THE DIFFERENT STRUMMER
Al-u-minium!
Spruce, maple, alder, cedar, mahogany, rosewood, ebony, ash, and even birch are the building materials guitarists know and love. But alternative materials crop up periodically to provide spice to life. By Michael Wright

DEPARTMENTS

Dealer News

Vintage Guitar Price Guide

Builder Profile
Blue Tone Amplifiers

Upcoming Events

Vintage Guitar Classified Ads

Dealer Directory

The Great VG Giveaway
Win a custom Phantom Swept-Wing guitar and Mosferatu OD pedal worth over $4,200!

Readers Gallery

FIRST FRET

Reader Mail

News and Notes
Newport Guitar Fest, Pete Huttlinger, Carol Kaye, Dan Fogelberg, Hagstrom re-launch, Clapton on RockWalk, Mountain, Stolen Gear, In Memoriam, more!

Straight Outta Compton
“Town Hall Party” on DVD
By Jim Hilmar

Executive Rock
Fun ’N Games
By Willie G. Moseley

P.K. Dwyer
Doing Something Different
By John Heidt

Tom Conway
Gypsy Jazz From Hawaii
By Michael Dregni

Richie Kotzen
Evolution
By Oscar Jordan

Classic Concerts
The Vanilla Fudge, 1967
By Glen Anderson

Summer NAMM ’04
Leaving Nashville With a Bang

COLUMNS

Q&A With George Gruhn

Acousticville
The Rockygrass Academy Report
By Steven Stone

FretPrints
Larry Carlton
By Wolf Marshall

Gigmeister
The Line 6 POD
By Riley Wilson

TECH

Dan’s Guitar Rx
Locking Trem Blues
By Dan Erlewine

Guitar Shop
More Things to Know
By Tony Nobles

Amps
Understanding Tube Electronics
By Gerald Weber

Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber

REVIEWS

The VG Hit List
Music, Book and Video Reviews: Danny Gatton, Peter Green, Johnny Hiland, Deke Dickerson, Ralph Stanley, Tom Principato, Left-Brain Lutherie, more!

Check This Action
Confessions of a Folkoholic, II
Dan Forte

Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Dean HardTail, Linc Luthier Impression, Gigliotti GS!

Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!