March 2019

0

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!