• Super PickupGiveaway 2025

    Super PickupGiveaway 2025

    Win Big! 11 Sets! 11 Winners! Win a set of pickups from one of these sponsors: Deadline is March 15, 2026. Complete the survey below to enter giveaway. One entry…

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Ana Popovic

Blues Jazz & Soul

January 5, 2018 · Oscar Jordan

Ana Popovic brings to her music an inspiring drive and work ethic. Super-appreciative of her fans, she recently released three…

Walrus Audio Deep Six and Mayflower; Celestial Effects’ Cancer Wah the Fuzz?

Walrus Audio Deep Six and Mayflower; Celestial Effects’ Cancer Wah the Fuzz?

Trio of Tappers

October 14, 2015 · Pete Prown

Stompboxes range from organic, transparent circuits that let a guitar’s natural tone shine through, to effects that intentionally color the…

Joe Ely

Digging Through The Vaults

February 26, 2021 · John Heidt

Joe Ely’s new record, Happy Songs From Rattlesnake Gulch, is full of just what you’ve come to expect from the…

Mike Anthony

Jazz Big-Leaguer

March 18, 2019 · Jim Carlton

Howard Roberts and Tommy Tedesco were his mentors; both recognized his extraordinary talent and relentless work ethic. When L.A. session…

DiPinto Mach IV

Garage Days

August 10, 2016 · Pete Prown

There are times when a traditional Strat or Tele won’t scratch a particular itch, and you need a retro plank…

Live at the Fillmore East 1969

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

September 8, 2025 · Pete Prown

A veritable holy grail, this recording from CSNY’s first tour captures their harmonies in amber. Better, the integrity of the…

  • Carr Skylark Special 1×12

    Carr Skylark Special 1×12

    Take Flight

    Arriving a little more than 10 years after the original Skylark, Carr Amplifiers’ new Skylark Special adds versatility and enhanced tonal depths to squeeze a lot more into this diminutive…

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ARTISTS

Steve Cropper

Homage to Lowman Pauling

August 5, 2015 · Michael Dregni

All but forgotten today, with his low-slung guitar, stylish rhythm licks, and tasty leads, Lowman Pauling was one of the…

Andy Gill

The Gang’s All Here

February 27, 2018 · Greg Prato

One of the most original-sounding guitarists to emerge from the post-punk/new wave movement of the late ’70s was Gang of…

McKinley James

Payin’ Dues in Rhythm & Blues

May 30, 2025 · Pete Prown

If you listen to early electric blues and R&B records, you’ll often notice the original sessions were cut without a…

Eric Ambel’s New-Guitar Magic

June 27, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

Producer/player’s experience may be like yours! Guitarist/producer Eric Ambel talks about how a guitar can inspire a new lick, which…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

1982 Gibson Victory Custom

February 6, 2023 · Willie G. Moseley

When you consider their status as a last-gasp instrument made by Gibson in its waning days as a property of…

Ghalia Volt’s Stompin’ slide!

December 27, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Belgium Born, Delta Fostered Brussels native Ghalia Volt moved to the U.S. in 2013 to busk in music-rich cities like…

BASSMAN-HOME-MAIN-THUMB

1964 Fender Bassman

February 17, 2016 · Dave Hunter

1964 Fender 6G6-B Bassman Preamp tubes: four 7025 (12AX7 types) Output tubes: two 5881 (a more-rugged 6L6 type), fixed-bias Rectifier:…

Chris Butler’s Vox Mark VI: Waitress Server

December 10, 2024 · Ward Meeker

Melding garage rock with glam, punk emerged in the early ’70s, set on stirring society’s pot. From New York to…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Alairex H.A.L.O.

Heavenly Possibilities

July 22, 2014 · Oscar Jordan

Alairex H.A.L.O. Price: $399 Info: www.alairex.com. Guitarist Alex Aguilar is a veteran player, former guitar-mag columnist, and today runs an…

Reddick Voyager CS

Mods Made Easy

May 13, 2024 · Rich Maloof

Exploring creative designs at his shop in Georgia, luthier Ian Reddick aimed to solve a common problem – how to…

Tone Electronix Animalizzer

Fuzz Feast

January 27, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

At first glance, Tone Electonix’s Animalizzer might appear to be a Big-Muff-style fuzz with too many knobs. A closer look…

M&V Guitars and Pickups Atlas Large-Pole Precision Bass Pickups

Big Bottom

November 4, 2014 · Ray Wuolo

M&V Guitars and Pickups Atlas P Bass-Style Pickups Price: $75 Info: www.mvguitars.com. Let’s face it –  when it comes to…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Boulou & Elios Ferré

Fathers & Sons

December 6, 2024 · Michael Dregni

 Alongside Django Reinhardt, the music of the Ferré family is at the heart of Gypsy jazz. And it’s still beating…

Orange OR80 Combo

Sunshine State

August 8, 2023 · Dave Hunter

Created when amps were huge and men were men – or at least had roadies to carry the gear –…

Chordal Colorations

Iconic Axes of Different Hues

October 3, 2015 · Michael Dregni

Though their colors are complementary, Brian May’s Red Special and Brian Setzer’s ’59 Gretsch 6120 couldn’t be more different in…

The PRS SE Custom 24 Semi-Hollow Piezo

Swiss Army Hybrid

September 5, 2025 · Rich Maloof

PRS hits on its long-running trifecta – versatility, playability, aesthetic appeal – with its new twist on the electric/acoustic hybrid,…

Gretsch G5191BK Tim Armstrong Electromatic

Cool Player, Punk Heart

November 5, 2013 · Sean OBryan Smith

Few punk-rock guitarists have made their mark like Tim Armstrong. Through his work with renowned punkers Rancid, Armstrong has torn…

John Abercrombie

1944-2017

May 9, 2019 · Pete Prown

After a lengthy illness, jazz guitarist John Abercrombie died August 22 at a hospital outside Peekskill, New York. He was…

Louis Electric Buster

Beyond Deluxe

March 6, 2015 · Zac Childs

Louis Electric Buster Price: $1,595 (street) Contact: louisamps.com. Lou Rosano has been building amps in the Fender vein for more…

Carl Verheyen

Riverboat Music

August 5, 2024 · Oscar Jordan

On his new album, Riverboat Sky, Carl Verheyen combines passionate musicality, spellbinding virtuosity, and ebullient rock and roll. It’s also…

Brian Setzer

Return to Rumble

May 10, 2022 · Ward Meeker

Like any guitarist at his level, Brian Setzer lives life answering the call of music. Grateful for the gift, he’s…

Louie Shelton

Gold Coast Gigmeister

March 22, 2019 · Rusty Russell

On August 16, 1966, the Beatle-esque guitar riff that opens “Last Train To Clarksville” crackled out of radios across America…

Robin Trower

Bridge of Skies

November 1, 2024 · Greg Prato

At age 78, Robin Trower remains at the top of his game, musically – still offering smoldering solos from his…

Area 51 Fuzzwah

Two Great Tastes

May 30, 2019 · Michael Dregni

Fuzz wahs are nothing new, of course. Released under scores of badge-engineered monikers, they’ve promised aural overload ranging from sirens…

ORVILLEGIBSONA-HOME-MAIN-BIG

Orville Gibson A model

March 20, 2015 · George Gruhn

All carved-top guitars and mandolins trace their ancestry back to Orville Gibson of Kalamazoo, Michigan. However, as this A model…

Line 6 M5 Stompbox modeler

100 Sounds, One Box

May 9, 2014 · Pete Prown

Line 6 M5 Stompbox modeler Price: $279.99 (retail) Info: line6.com Have you ever thought, “Maaaan, I wish I had that…

Fender Twin & Deluxe

Fender’s ’57 Twin Amp and ’57 Deluxe – Tweed for Two

September 16, 2013 · Phil Feser

Fender “tweed” guitar amplifiers – the Twin, Deluxe, Bassman, Champ, etc., from the 1950s – are the most sought after…

Steve Knight

Jazz For People

July 26, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

Chicago resident Steve Knight’s first album, Persistence, takes listeners back to the days of warm jazz-guitar tones, popular tunes, group…

Leo Lyons

Fifty Years After

September 9, 2024 · Pete Prown

More than a half-century ago, Ten Years After sat at the vanguard of British FM rock, blending blues boogies with…

Classics: October 2021

Ibanez IC200 Iceman

June 10, 2022 · Ward Meeker

Pete Prown’s obsession with the Ibanez Iceman began when the company’s 1978 guitar catalog landed atop dealer display cases; the…

Feature Guitar

Cardinal’s Magpie

Bird in Hand

March 4, 2014 · Pete Prown

Cardinal Magpie Price: $4,300 Contact: www.cardinalinstruments.com While most folks are happy to buy guitars off the rack, the Cardinal Magpie…

Warren Haynes

G-Mule Shout!

February 27, 2015 · Ward Meeker

Gov’t Mule’s blues-based rock has never followed a formula, opting instead for an improvisational modus operandi that gives its music…

Steve Rosen

Chasing EVH Memories

March 16, 2024 · Bret Adams

From 1977 through 2003, music journalist Steve Rosen formed and fostered a personal and professional relationship with guitar legend Edward…

Mario Guitars Serpentine

Custom Flagship

July 9, 2018 · Rich Maloof

Given that Mario Martin credits his guitar-building education to a stint at the Fender Custom Shop, it’s no surprise that…

Walrus Audio Messner Stage-One Overdrive

Into Thin Air

March 6, 2017 · Michael Dregni

First off, who the heck is this Messner guy? Well, in 1978, mountaineer Reinhold Messner became the first person to…

Larry Coryell

1943-2017

March 27, 2019 · Vintage Guitar

Guitarist Larry Coryell died February 19 in New York City after performing the previous night at the Iridium. He was…

Rickenbacker 345

January 2, 2024 · George Gruhn

Rickenbacker guitars have a look, feel, and sound that is remarkably distinct from those made by any other manufacturers. In…

Life in the Fast Lane

Mick Wall

June 19, 2024 · Bret Adams

Despite personality conflicts and substances galore, The Eagles created impeccably crafted music. Mick Wall’s book explains how Glenn Frey, Don…

Sam Bush

Radio John: Songs Of John Hartford

April 24, 2024 · Dan Forte

One of the greatest bluegrass musicians, singer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Bush – playing mandolin, fiddle, acoustic guitar, electric bass, and…

Fishman Fluence Single-Width Pickup

Fishman Fluence Single-Width Pickup

Hum-Free, Cutting-Edge

March 1, 2016 · Zac Childs

Fishman Fluence Single-Width Pickup Price: $224 (set) Contact: www.fishman.com Larry Fishman is one of the most respected names in the…

2022 July Issue on Spotify

June 30, 2022 · Vintage Guitar

This month we feature Andy, Summers, Joe Walsh, Jack Day Trio, Grand Funk Railroad, Bill Haley’s Comets, Robin Trower, Popa…