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!
