Vintage Guitar Magazine 2022 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

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December 2022

GA-20’s Matt Stubbs is a disciple of Johnny “Guitar” Watson, Earl Hooker, and the guitar Kings, while Pat Faherty’s influences are more-modern. Their new album, Crackdown, reaches back while moving the blues forward.

Also dropping by to discuss their latest music are Richie Kotzen, Jeff Berlin, Mike Morgan, Steve Knight, Ewan Currie, and Grant Geissman. Wolf Marshall recalls the legendary work of Toy Caldwell, while “Pop ‘N Hiss” examines how Black and Blue stands out in the catalog and history of the Rolling Stones.

Reid Farrell bought a used Fiesta Red ’59 Tele for $125, then used it and later sold it to Billy F Gibbons, who used it on two of ZZ Top’s biggest hits. “Classics” tells its story.

B.C. Rich closed the 20th century with its version of a “see through” guitar. In case you’ve forgotten, here’s the tale of the Acrylic Warlock.

Orange amps are known for their raucous British sound. Created when amps were huge and men were men, the OR80 Combo screams bell-bottomed rock style and attitude. Here’s the how and why.

Leo Mazow’s vision for an exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts stemmed from the guitar’s overwhelming popularity. Given its rich history, he knew it would make for an engaging exhibition. We knew it’d make for a cool magazine spread!

Our “Hit List” review staff screens the latest music from CCR, Jimi Hendrix, Albert Lee, Sonny Landreth, Pat Travers, Robben Ford and Bill Evans, Mark Knopfler, and more!

With the holidays approaching, it’s time to drop hints to Santa. We tell you why the EHX J Mascis Ram’s Head Big Muff, Fishman Loudbox Mini, Keeley Dark Side Hero, Dr Z Z28 Mk II, Eastwood Classic 6, Maestro Ranger Overdrive/Invader Distortion, Guild Starfire I-12, and the Universal Audio Dream ’65 Reverb/Ruby ’63 Top Boost/Woodrow ’56 will keep you from wasting St. Nick’s precious time.

It’s all in the December issue of Vintage Guitar!

November 2022

Psych-blues maestro J.D. Simo is the wizard behind the guitars heard throughout the feature film Elvis. The gig required him to embody the sounds of Scotty Moore, James Burton, Hank Garland, Tommy Tedesco, B.B. King, and others. Simo tells us why it was more fun than a barrel full of monkeys.

Despite the way collectors and dealers bandy the term “lawsuit guitars,” real-world examples are few. One time it did happen was triggered by the Vox Symphonic Bass.

All tweed Fenders are lauded, but the V-Front 5B4 Super might be the most iconic. This one was also the compatriot of a player known for his tone.

Like most baby-boomer kids, Vern Juran was into slot-car tracks and bikes with banana seats and sissy bars. He also loved guitars, and this Harmony Stratotone sent him down the path. After being traded 50 years ago, it recently returned to him.

A trade-show curiosity, Höfner’s Fledermaus Gitarre may be pedestrian in terms of materials, but its design was a radical departure. Today, it entices aficionados and collectors.

We talk about new music with Billy Sheehan, Adrian Belew, Lari Basilio, Tim May, Walter Strauss, and Mark Lettieri.

Blues aficionados recognize Pee Wee Crayton as a legend. Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” tells the story of “The little man with a big sound,” who dominated the charts briefly in the years between T-Bone Walker and B.B. King.

As they started studio work in 1976, Thin Lizzy was in trouble. Their label wanted a hit -and “The Boys Are Back in Town” wasn’t on the short list for Jailbreak. With help from Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson, “Pop ‘N Hiss” tells what changed their minds.

Ceil Thompson returns to “Dan’s Guitar Rx” for more work on her from-scratch guitar senior project.

Because you’re constantly on the lookout for good new music, our “Hit List” review staff tells you why the latest from the Doobie Brothers, Pink Floyd, Talas, Kris Kristofferson, Lari Basilio, Kirk Fletcher, Six by Six, Happy Traum, and others is worth a listen.

Speaking of worthy, in a world inundated with new amps, instruments, and gadgets, our “Apprved Gear” reviewers explain why you won’t be wasting time or money if you try the Aclam Woman Tone OD, Keeley HALO Andy Timmons, MojoHand Octaverse, Donner Rising-G Pro, Mesa Boogie California Tweed 6V6 2:20, Martin 00-28 Modern Deluxe, Peavey VYPYR X, or Misco ToneSpeak 12s

It’s all in the November issue of Vintage Guitar!

October 2022

The October 2022 Issue of Vintage Guitar magazine featuring Marcus King, Michael Schenker, Vivian Campbell, Rich Robinson, Alan Parsons, Magnatone Zepher X-5, Dumble Garage Band ripper, Burke Guitar and much more!

September 2022

The September 2022 Issue of Vintage Guitar magazine featuring Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna, Bad Company, Danny Gatton’s ES-295, Foghat, Dallas Rangemaster and Scala, Duke Levine and much more!

August 2022

ne of the most-recognizable guitarists of the early ’70s, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter was the Tele-wielding rocker in Steely Dan and has worked a lifetime of A-list sessions. His new album, The Speed of Heat, is packed with eclectic synergy.

Son of an auto mechanic and a guitar-shop owner at age 18, Steve Evans spent years taking photographs of guitars that share names with cars that share names with guitars. We offer a look at his work.

By the early ’60s, Gretsch was riding high with models endorsed by Chet Atkins; one of them is an icon, another faded quickly. Few, if any, were like the ’62 Country Gent Custom.

While scanning a VG ad in 2009, Billy Soutar spotted a 1936 Gibson L-7, “Custom… with factory Charlie Christian pickup.” The word “rare” especially caught his attention, and he was soon taking a long drive to buy it.

Les Paul’s name on the headstock of Gibson’s debut solidbody was the biggest guitar-star endorsement of its time. The GA-40 amp came with it, offering tone players still dig today.

“Pop ‘N Hiss” revisits the challenges faced by Lynyrd Skynyrd in making its first album, Pronounced ‘Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd’, while Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” examines the full-tilt boogies of Foghat. Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” reminds us why Eric Burdon and the Animals were a landmark act, and Dan Erlewine guides a high-school student through a guitar build.

As always, “Approved Gear” offers an objective screening. This month, it’s the Earthquaker Devices Special Cranker, Luna Art Vintage Parlor A/E, MoJo Hand Swim Team, Fender Meteora, Line 6 Catalyst, Maestro FZ-M Fuzz-Tone, Grez Mendocino, and the Jackson Pro Series Jeff Loomis Soloist SL7.

Everyone loves to freshen-up their playlist or music collection, and “Hit List” review staff is always finding the best new stuff. This month, they include Black Crowes, Graham Nash, Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Scofield, ZZ Top, Albert Cummings, Eric Johnson, Def Leppard, and more! To talk about new music, we sit with Phil Collen, Mike Campbell, Eric Johnson, Jim Weider, Shane Fontayne, Josh Smith, and Will Ackerman.

It’s all in the August issue of Vintage Guitar!

July 2022

Joe Walsh played the lick that starts “Life In The Fast Lane” and learned slide from Duane Allman before using it on “Hotel California,” “Rocky Mountain Way,” and other megahits. He recently welcomed this ’59 Les Paul Standard back to his world.

In the age of “influencers,” it’s difficult to find objective reviews like you’ll find in “Approved Gear.” This month, we explain why the Banker Derringer Excalibur, Martin D-42 Modern Deluxe, Gretsch Electromatic Jet Baritone, Tech 21 Steve Harris, Dusky Electronics Toasted OD, Fender Nile Rodgers Hitmaker Strat, Orange Super Crush 100, and Great Eastern Small Speaker OD are worth your time and money.
And as always, our “Hit List” review staff is ready to help you find the best new music. This month, their list includes Robin Trower, Popa Chubby, the Rolling Stones, MSG, Surfrajettes, Mike Campbell, Rush, and more! Stopping in to talk about their new music are Andy Summers, Alex Lifeson, Davy Knowles, Shermy Freeman and Nicole Damoff of The Surfrajettes, Harvey Valdes, and Jeremy Popoff.

June 2022

We welcome Mike Campbell, Vince Gill, Ron Wood, Nat Daniel, and the Gibson ES-330 to the VG Hall of Fame, while the Readers’ Choice Awards note the best music and performances of 2021 – by Vince Gill, Billy Gibbons, Robben Ford, Derek Trucks, and the Tedeschi-Trucks Band.

The Lovin’ Spoonful boasted an impressive song catalog in the age of psychedelia. Founder/front man John Sebastian recently joined world-class guitarist Arlen Roth in reworking 14 of the group’s “good-time” songs, including three instrumentals.

Our “Hit List” review staff sifts out the best new music. This month, their list include the Duke Robillard Band, Circle Jerks, Andy Timmons, Ty Tabor, Rick Holmstrom, Calexico, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and more! Stopping in to talk about their new music are Robin Trower, Duke Robillard, Aldo Nova, Ty Tabor, and Larry McCray, while Larry Carlton talks about his final tour.

May 2022

Cars and the California lifestyle are inextricably intertwined, so of course Fender marketed a guitar with racing stripes. On your marks, get set, meet the Competition Mustang! Speaking of races, after retiring the Epiphone brand name in ’85, Gibson revived it for use on guitars targeted at the market being dominated by the likes of Kramer. Its flaghip was this Epiphone by Gibson Firebird 500.

More than 40 years into a stellar career, Steve Vai continues to explore music outside his comfort zone. His new album is one of the best – and bravest – he has ever made.

New York City session ace “Wild” Jimmy Spruill played his share of guitars – and likely altered every one of them much like the ’66 Jaguar in this month’s “Classics.”

We talk new music with Edgar Winter, Joe Satriani, Del McCoury, Gregg Wright, and Sam Williams.

“Pop ‘N Hiss” recounts the long road to Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood, Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” reminds us of the impact and playing of Earl Hooker, and Dan Forte’s “Check This Action” recalls playing guitar with the Ventures.

April 2022

Working amidst a pandemic, Slash, Myles Kennedy, and their friends in The Conspirators went to extraordinary lengths to make their new album, 4. The end result was well worth a head-on collision with Covid. We also connect with producer Dave Cobb, whose live-from-the-floor approach to recording in RCA Nashville’s Studio A has drawn artists ranging from The Conspirators, Chris Stapleton, and Brandi Carlile to John Prine and Jason Isbell.
In high school, the late Alexander Dumble modded guitar amps, taking the first steps in becoming a legend in the field whose name now ranks among the truly elite. With help from some of his most-renowned clients and friends, we pay tribute.
Co-founder and last remaining member of The Ventures’ “classic” lineup, Don Wilson influenced the way rock-and-roll rhythm guitar is perceived and played. Fans and friends help us honor his passing.

We talk new music with J.D. Simo, Isaiah Mitchell, and Luther Dickinson. In this month’s “Pop ‘N Hiss,” Joe Satriani reflects on his life as he wrote and recorded Surfing With The Alien, and Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” digs into the story and licks of blues legend Earl Hooker.

March 2022

For 50 years, millions have heard his guitar, mandolin, and banjo on hits by Elton John and a who’s-who list of superstars. We talk with Davey Johnstone about life, and his first solo album since 1973.

To lend a hand in your search for great new guitar music, our “Hit List” staff recommend the latest from Eric Gales, Phil Lynott, Spirit, Chuck Berry, Legendary Shack Shakers, John 5, Keb’ Mo’, Dave Specter, and more!

Our professional, reliable “Approved Gear” reviews discuss new stuff from Boss, Keeley, McGregor, Fender, Harmony, Taylor, Ellis, and Marshall.

February 2022

A key element in the career of legendary jazzer Barney Kessel, this Gibson ES-350 has enjoyed a storied life. In homage to his friend and mentor, modern jazz-guitar master Bruce Forman is bringing the guitar back to life with new music by longtime friends in a trio.

Conceived and built by a rebellious tinkerer, the Mel-O-Bar was an odd duck with a beloved sound. Here’s its story. Gibson was the first major high-end builder to market a solid-state amp – the Starfire TR 1000 RVT. Guitarists mostly eschewed it, but that didn’t stop others from jumping into the pool.

We round up Warren Haynes, Greg Martin, Dave Specter, Eric Krasno, Graham Dechter, and Eric Gales to talk about their latest work.

January 2022

Vince Gill sees his share of classic guitars for sale; this Fender Broadcaster helped him shine light on a near-forgotten Nashville great. Carlos Santana’s creative drive is obsessive, restless – and relentless. For his latest album, he pooled the cosmic energy of family and a few superstar guests. There’s little reason to connect rock guitarist Dean DeLeo to Nashville session ace Tom Bukovac. Strange times, though, can lead to great things like their new album.

Our knowledgable “Hit List” music-review staff sits with the latest from Santana, Asleep at the Wheel, Immediate Family, David Crosby, Billy Joe Shaver and Kinky Friedman, and many more!