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Table of Contents
One of your favorite albums turns 50! We take a fresh look at Jimi Hendrix’s redoubtable Electric Ladyland! Dave Mason and Jack Casady chime in on its singular influence, while Martin Barre, Mark Farner, Joe Satriani, and Phil Collen reflect on what it meant to them. Luke Mossman explains why Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats sound lively in the studio, we speak with Love guitarist Johnny Echols, examine the cross-pollinating impact of the guitar-banjo (used by the Reverend Gary Davis and Taylor Swift!), and offer studies of the Dean E’Lite Deluxe, Orange Matamp ORST50, and Semie Moseley’s Gospel Guitars. This month’s “Pop ’N Hiss” looks at the infamous Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols. Other conversations happen with Vinnie Moore, Ed Littman, Rich Ward, Derek Smalls, Shawn Phillips, Neal Vitullo, and New York jazzer Jonathan Kreisberg and Brazilian fingerstylist Nelson Veras, discussing their the new duet. We pay homage to amp builder Dennis Kager and rockabilly legend Lorrie Collins, and as always, our “Hit List” reviews will shorten your hunt for great new music, while VG Approved Gear makes it easy to find your next “investment.” It’s the highlight of your month – the November issue is available now!
36 12 Frets (Or More) Clear
The Evolution of Martin’s 000-42
The exact origins of the design are lost to history, but guitars with 12 frets clear of the body arose for obvious reasons. We offer a look at how the 000-42 exemplifies “progress” to the 14-fret. | By George Gruhn and Joe Spann
40 Mother of Invention
The Jacobacci Major Ohio Label de Qualité
After World War II, GIs stationed throughout Europe exposed locals to American music propelled by electric guitars. Europeans wanting to play quickly learned that American guitars were hard to find – and expensive. Local makers responded with innovative designs. This is one of them. | By Michael Wright
44 Early Adopter
A Pre-Production Fender Deluxe
Amp-o-philes get excited by flagship Fenders like those with a “TV front” or wide (or narrow!) control panel. But, stepping stones and in-betweens like this one are often even more fascinating. | By Dave Hunter
86 Rusty Anderson
Lefty’s Right-Hand Man
Elite musicians often tell how effort, focus, and musical pliability can reap enormous rewards. For this guitarist, those qualities have led to nearly two decades backing one of his musical heroes. | By Ward Meeker
94 Greg Leon
Hard-Rock Doyen, Wizard Amp Tech
For every player who reaches superstardom, there are a million stories of destiny turned sideways. Forty years ago, Greg Leon was an L.A. shredder who went toe-to-toe with Rhoads, Lynch, and Van Halen. Here’s his story. | By Oscar Jordan
98 Rockabilly Flash
Lorrie Collins’ Martin D-28
With its traditional body, flashy ornamentation, and hole in the top, Lorrie Collins’ Martin D-28 says it all about rockabilly music in the ’50s. | By Walter Carter
first fret
14 Reader Mail
18 News and Notes
Di Meola Receives Honorary Degree, Team Josie Winners; In Memoriam
18 Bob Bain
1924-2018
22 Ask Zac
22 Guthrie Trapp
The Adventures Continue
24 Wanda Jackson
Sweet Girl, Nasty Voice
26 Gus G
Fearless Guitar
28 Johnny A.
Me and My Guitars
30 Ian Moore
Looking For The Sound
32 Steve Kimock
San Francisco’s Musical Chameleon
33 Matteo Mancuso
Internet Guitar Phenomenon
departments
48 Vintage Guitar Price Guide
80 VG Guide to Pickups
84 The VG Pickup Giveaway ’18
$2,800 in Prizes!
102 Upcoming Events
116 Vintage Guitar Classifieds
128 Showcase
136 Readers Gallery
columns
52 NEW COLUMN! Pop ’N Hiss
Frampton Comes Alive!
54 The (Way) Back Beat
Patent Poaching: Innovation and Imitation, Featuring Gibson | By Peter S. Kohman
62 Fretprints
Danny Gatton | By Wolf Marshall
68 Acousticville
Great “Truths” of Collecting | By Steven Stone
70 Dan’s Guitar Rx
Pickguard City | By Dan Erlewine
76 Shop of Hard Knocks
Sudden Death: Rebuilding an Output Transformer | By Will Kelly
reviews
108 The VG Hit List
Allman Brothers, Led Zeppelin, Pete Townshend, Steve Marriott, Chicago, Grant Green, Jinx Jones, Dokken, more!
109 Check This Action
All You Need Is Love | By Dan Forte
122 VG Approved Gear
Boss RC-3, Lehle Mono Volume, B&G Little Sister, Fender The Bends/Level Set Buffer, Supro Westbury/Hampton Baritone, Taylor K24ce, Fodera Imperial Deluxe, Harden Bluesmaster
123 Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
FROM READERS
› Reader Mail
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› Readers Gallery
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