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Billy Duffy

Weapon: Chosen

January 14, 2016 · Ward Meeker

Billy Duffy has long been a different sort of bloke. As his peers in rock bands of the mid ’80s…

Bare Knuckle Pickups’ PAT Pend, Flat ’52, and Mule

Bruising Tones

March 24, 2014 · Tom Guerra

Bare Knuckle Pickups’ PAT Pend, Flat ’52, and Mule Price: $125-$340 Info: www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk. From the ever-expanding world of boutique pickups…

Pop ’N Hiss: Uriah Heep’s Demons and Wizards

Under Its Spell

May 6, 2022 · Bret Adams

Hard rock/heavy metal and progressive rock were burgeoning genres in the early ’70s, and music fans by the millions eagerly…

Jimi Hendrix

Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision

August 13, 2025 · Bret Adams

It’s astonishing – and fortunate – that so much unreleased Jimi Hendrix material exists, given his brief recording career. It…

Koll Super Glide Almighty

Grady’s Choice

October 14, 2019 · Pete Prown

What do you get when you cross a Jazzmaster, Les Paul, Gretsch Duo Jet, ES-335, and Tele? You just might…

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Michael Schenker

Acoustic Album, Electric Gear

April 29, 2016 · Pete Prown

One of the most influential guitarists in hard rock history, Michael Schenker has imbued the music of UFO, Scorpions, and…

  • Rising Rockers

    Rising Rockers

    Five Alternative Club Classic Amps of the ’50s

    In an era when the sub-20-watt combo is arguably the most popular guitar-amp format, it’s worth remembering that several classics of the category emanate from the ’50s. And just as…

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ARTISTS

Bernie Marsden

1951-2023

July 11, 2024 · Bret Adams

Bernie Marsden, one of the founding guitarists of Whitesnake, co-writer of the band’s massive hit “Here I Go Again,” and…

Jack Bruce

Jack Bruce

Surging Septuagenarian

December 6, 2014 · Willie G. Moseley

Bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, who turned 71 in May, recently released Silver Rails, his first solo album in a decade, with…

Jerry Douglas

Helping Hiatt

May 1, 2022 · Rich Kienzle

In April of 2020, Jerry Douglas and his band were set to back singer/songwriter John Hiatt on his new album,…

Corb Lund’s (Acoustic) Roots Rock!

February 22, 2024 · Vintage Guitar

Low-key in the living room Corb Lund rescued his ’80s Kramer Ferrington from a hair ballad so he could use…


CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS

Nils Lofgren Shines Solo – Again

September 26, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Star Grabs Vintage J-50 for “Ain’t the Truth Enough? An in-demand sideman for more than 50 years, guitar wizard Nils…

Guild in the Post-Fender Era

Guild in the Post-Fender Era

Round and Round She Goes

March 4, 2016 · Jay Pilzer

Since its beginnings in 1952, Guild has gone through many changes in ownership, location, marketing approach, and design philosophy. In…

Martin 000-18HS

The Martin 000-18HS

September 3, 2015 · George Gruhn

According to Martin company records and research by late Martin Historian Mike Longworth, Cable Piano Company, in Atlanta, special-ordered at…

Gibson’s Style O Artist Guitar and K-4 Mandocello

Gibson’s Style O Artist Guitar and K-4 Mandocello

Two For the Scroll

February 9, 2016 · George Gruhn

The mandolin originated in the Middle East as a bowl-back instrument. Crusaders brought it back to Europe and early Italian…


NEWSWIRE

APPROVED GEAR

Walrus Audio’s Bellwether Dela

The Bell Tolls For Thee

November 29, 2016 · Rich Maloof

The Bellwether from Walrus Audio is a high-end analog delay notable for its tone, adaptability, and depth of control. The…

Henretta Engineering Pedals

Henretta Engineering Pedals

Good Things, Small Packages

September 7, 2014 · Michael Dregni

Henretta Engineering Pedals Prices: Green Zapper, Bluebird, and Purple Octopus, $125 each; Chord Blaster, $140 Info: www.henrettaengineering.com. Bigger is not…

Maestro Ranger Overdrive and Invader Distortion

Evil Twins

August 10, 2023 · Michael Dregni

Maestro’s new all-analog overdrive and distortion pedals are like evil twins – two black-sheep siblings that differ in concept but…

Fuchs Audio Technology Full House-50 Combo

The Art of the Deal

December 27, 2017 · Pete Prown

The Fuchs Full House-50 1×12 is a compact amp that strives to deliver a range of tones in a small…

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

Universal Audio’s OX Amp Top Box

The Tube Abides

October 14, 2019 · Ray Wuolo

Since the mid ’60s, electrical engineers have been trying to drive a stake into the heart of the vacuum tube,…

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Nick Moss

Musical Horizons Beyond Chicago

October 8, 2014 · Willie G. Moseley

Since 2007, guitarist/vocalist Nick Moss has released five albums on his Blue Bella label, including two live discs. And while…

Beat Portraits: Burns Volume 5

1964: Solid Heyday

February 7, 2018 · Peter Stuart Kohman

In early 2009, VG columnist Peter Stuart Kohman turned his focus on Burns, the pioneering British guitar builder. We’ve compiled…

Otis Redding

Otis Forever: The Albums & Singles (1968-1970)

May 13, 2024 · Sean McDevitt

Otis Redding’s death in a plane crash in late 1967 created a monumental task for producer and guitarist Steve Cropper…

Seymour Duncan’s Whole Lotta Humbucker, 59/Custom Hybrid Pickups

Dream Babies

June 17, 2014 · Zac Childs

Seymour Duncan’s Whole Lotta Humbucker Price: $94 59/Custom Hybrid Pickups Price: $89 Info: www.seymourduncan.com. In lean times, who can afford…

Peter Frampton

Part One: The Humble Pie Years

October 13, 2021 · Wolf Marshall

Formed with two formidable front men in Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton, Humble Pie was one of the earliest “supergroups”…

Dio

Holy Diver Super Deluxe Edition

June 9, 2023 · Bret Adams

After Rainbow and Black Sabbath, vocalist Ronnie James Dio assembled his own band with previous accomplices Jimmy Bain (bass) and…

Pepper Keenan

Down with CoC

February 27, 2018 · Greg Prato

It’s difficult enough to be a member of one metal band, let alone two. But Pepper Keenan is pulling double-duty…

Arlington Guitar Show 2013

October 20, 2013 · Vintage Guitar

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Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan

In Session (Deluxe Edition)

October 9, 2025 · Bret Adams

Talk about a summit – this session was a Luke Skywalker-meets-Yoda moment. The live album, originally released in 1999, is…

The Grez Mendocino Junior

New Old-Soul

July 22, 2022 · Michael Dregni

Luthier Barry Grzebik was a Jersey boy who moved to NorCal in his teens. When he began building guitars, he…

’Bursting with Surprises

’Bursting with Surprises

Celeb Guitars Make a Splash at U.K. Guitar Show

January 16, 2015 · Ward Meeker

Peter Hoarty and his wife, Gail, have been hosting guitar shows in England since 1998, when they rented space to…

The Collings I-35

Soul in the Details

July 14, 2020 · Tony Nobles

Occasionally, in the world of guitars, events influence the market. The introduction of a new guitar can send ripples through…

Fretprints: Hiram Bullock

Dangerously Funky Fusioneer

February 4, 2024 · Wolf Marshall

In the sonic constellation orbiting jazz-rock, Hiram Bullock traveled a separate trajectory. His work on “Angela,” the theme for “Taxi,”…

Beauty and the Bastards

July 6, 2016 · John Heidt

This album is a set of songs beautifully assembled by guitarist Danny Mangold. He recruits various friends, including his former…

Thom Douvan

Thom Douvan

Motown and More

July 5, 2016 · Willie G. Moseley

Released in April, guitarist Thom Douvan’s third album, All Over Again, is a mix of self-penned instrumentals (with one notable…

Keeley Electronics Dark Side

Floyd Fare

August 10, 2023 · Oscar Jordan

In the multi-verse of effects pedals, Robert Keeley’s compressors, dirt boxes, and workstation gizmos are a thing of beauty –…

Tone Pump Solara Studio

Tone Pump Solara Studio

Clean ’N Dirty

February 9, 2016 · Zac Childs

Tone Pump Solara Studio Price: $1,099 (list) Contact: www.tonepumpamplifiers.com The story is a familiar one. A guy learns to repair…

John Osborne

Feelin’ Fearless

October 25, 2024 · Ward Meeker

 Brothers Osborne play a distinctive version of 21-century country music. Rising above trendy themes and sounds like tailgate anthems and…

ZT Amplifiers’ Lunchbox Junior

Tasty Treat

September 29, 2013 · Erik Elkins

ZT Amplifiers Lunchbox Junior Price: $149 (street) Info: www.ztamplifiers.com. ZT Amplifiers is known for producing compact amps that generate sounds…

Reddick Voyager Custom

Swap Meet

June 9, 2023 · Pete Prown

The concept of pickup-swapping guitars has been around for decades, almost always with cumbersome results. With the Voyager, Reddick Guitars…

Jorge Glem: Cuatro Mastery

April 6, 2023 · Vintage Guitar

Brooklyn-Cumaná Jorge Glem uses his Venezualan cuatro to show us some of “Matapalo y Fuga,” from his new duet album…

Blues Player of the Year

February 6, 2017 · Vintage Guitar

Joe Bonamassa Awarded in 2018 Joe Bonamassa can be safely filed in the “force of nature” category. Thirty years ago,…

Gary Burton

November 1, 2016 · Dan Forte

Larry Coryell, Hank Garland, Pat Metheny, Buddy Emmons, Chet Atkins, Mick Goodrick, Jerry Hahn, Ralph Towner, Eric Gale, Sam Brown,…

Chris Tapp

Heavy Adversity

August 10, 2022 · Oscar Jordan

Unphased by knee-jerk comparisons to rock duos like the White Stripes, Royal Blood, and Black Keys, The Cold Stares have…

Vintage Visionary

The First Golden Age of Ibanez 1973-1982

October 6, 2014 · Pete Prown

Thirty-Five years ago, Ibanez was a scrappy upstart guitar company that dared to challenge the big boys at Gibson and…

Check This Action: Time Capsules & Travelogs

April 30, 2022 · Dan Forte

At the start of the new millennium, Playboy asked various musicians to list their favorite songs of the 20th century.…

Don Culig

Dream Finish

August 12, 2025 · Ward Meeker

The Covid pandemic forced immeasurable change on humanity. Much of it involved temporary adaptation, but there were also plenty of…

Johnny Moeller and Mike Keller

Two for T(-Birds)

August 8, 2016 · Ward Meeker

Every fan of blues music is familiar with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Founded in 1974 by two guys who would go…