Brown Sound
The Fender Conert Amp
Among larger vintage Fenders, it’s underappreciated despite offering otherworldly clean tones and glorious sound at breakup. Pros know it’s much more than just “…what the tweed Bassman became.” By Dave Hunter
Identity Crisis
Gibson’s Small-Body Acoustics 1929-’39
Gibson’s original L series guitars occupy a unique niche. Consider the variants and it’s easy to see why it’s one of the company’s most-successful designs. By George Gruhn and Joe Spann
What’s In A Name?
The Ibanez RS 100 Roadster
At a glance, it’s just another Japanese clone. Look closer, though, and it’ll tell the story about one big – if tentative – step toward the “superstrat.” By Michael Wright
Musician, Entertainer
Remembering Roy Clark
A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, the Virginia-born star could mesmerize any audience thanks to an innate ability to blend comedy and music, which he was doing long before “Hee Haw.” By Rich Kienzle
Mick Box
Still Heavy, Still Humble
Uriah Heep emerged in the hard-rock explosion that brought forth Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Mountain, and Black Sabbath. Since its first album, the band has never stopped recording and touring. At age 71, its guitarist and co-founder remains a powerhouse. By Pete Prown
96 Geddy Lee
Bass Conservator
One of the world’s top bassists, he melded the influences of Motown, Yes, Zeppelin, the Who, and Cream to help forge the legendary Rush musical catalog. Today, he tends to one of the finest bass collections, and is sharing it all in a beautiful new book. By Ward Meeker
FIRST FRET
Reader Mail
20 News and Notes
MoPop Honors Fogerty; McDonald Retires From Fender
Heartbreak and Rebuilding
Charvel, Others Impacted by Cali Fires
Outpouring for Mr. Moto
Players, Fans Honor Surf Legend Paul Johnson
Bob Mould
Sunshine Alt-Rock
Full Go ’Round
Remembering Victor Cabas
Craig Goldy
Still Dreaming Evil
Marty Friedman
One Bad M.F.
Khalif “Wailin’” Walter
Windy-City Rep, Euro-Style
Jake E. Lee
Return of The Cartel
DEPARTMENTS
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
The VG Guide to Effects 2019
Upcoming Events
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Showcase
Readers Gallery
COLUMNS
Pop ’N Hiss
Rubber Soul By Wolf Marshall
The (Way) Back Beat
More Tales of the Jet Age By Peter S. Kohman
Fretprints
Danny Cedrone By Wolf Marshall
Q&A With George Gruhn
Shop of Hard Knocks
Uke From a Kit By Will Kelly
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Nut JobBy Dan Erlewine
REVIEWS
The VG Hit List
Mark Knopfler, Tom Petty, Eagles, Wayne Kramer, Jeff Tweedy, Red Dragon Cartel, Fantastic Negrito, Metallica, more!
VG Approved Gear
Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII, Gibson Custom 1975 Les Paul Deluxe Tribute, Gretsch G6228 Player’s Edition Jet BT, Fibonacci Chiquita 13, Supro 1696RT Black Magick Reverb, Victory V4 The Sheriff, Magnatone Super Fifteen Combo, PRS McCarty 594. PLUS! Bonus Effects Section!
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!