FEATURES
Harmony Guitars
End of the Depression By the late ’30s, America’s guitar manufacturers had emerged from the shadow of anonymity of the early 20th century into full brand identity, none more assertively than Harmony. By Michael Wright
Al McKay
The Pocket is the Thing… The five-time Grammy winner has provided an unstoppable groove for many a project and is most famous as a key figure in Earth Wind & Fire. By Oscar Jordan
Kim Simmonds
Solo Albums, Seafood, and Savoy Brown He cranked up the blues-rock aggregation in England in the late ’60s, and has been at the helm ever since. By Willie G. Moseley
Ronnie Montrose
That rarest of guitarists who has experimented with diverse genres while following a creative trail that has led to associations with rock’s most well-known musicians. By Frank Moriarity
Jeff Hanna
Part 1: 36 and Counting For nearly 40 he has been a key part of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, which created hit singles and platinum-selling albums like Uncle Charlie and His Dog Teddy and the landmark collaboration album Will the Circle Be Unbroken. By Willie G. Moseley
Supro Thunderbolt
Designed “…exclusively for the electric Bass guitar,” it was simplicity itself, with no “fancy extra circuits.” But much like with Fender’s Bassman, guitarists had other ideas! By Christopher Tackett
1987 Westone XA-1330
Japan-based Westone’s XA series guitars were high-end Superstrats, and only about 50 received the headstock/body covered with this real snakeskin. By Michael Wright
DEPARTMENTS
Reader Mail
First Fret: News and Notes
– Austin City Limits Music Festival
– Wexer Jams on “Today Show”
– One Chunk of Wood, One Guitar
– Stolen Gear
The Great VG Giveaway 2002 Win a Fuchs Audio Overdrive Supreme 50!
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Readers’ Gallery
Advertising Index
COLUMNS
Viewpoints
Music Stores, Then and Now
By Gene Norman
Executive Rock
Creem Caption Capers Continued
By Willie G. Moseley
Q&A With George Gruhn
Reliable Gibson Dating
Acousticville
Fifty Columns Later
By Steven Stone
FretPrints
Muddy Waters
By Wolf Marshall
Guitars With Guts
Heads Up!
By R.E. Bruné
Little Things
Practice Makes Perfect!
By Lisa Sharken
Gigmeister
Bandmates and the Golden Rule
By Riley Wilson
TECH
Guitar Shop
Double-Cut Dano Dress-Up
By Tony Nobles
Amps
Hot Rodding a Vintage Tube Amp
By Gerald Weber
Ask Gerald
By Gerald Weber
REVIEWS
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Dr. Z MAZ-18 Junior, Rowan Cimarron
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
The VG Hit List
Record, Video, and Book Reviews
Check This Action
Swingin’ The Blues
By Dan Forte