January 2021 

After a four-year hiatus, Angus Young and AC/DC just released their 18th album, Power Up! Angus, Cliff Williams, and Stevie Young tell the story of its making. 

We break down why the 1966-’71 Fender Stratocaster is a CBS survivor, 

 

Dave Hunter unearths an astounding ’63 Fender Twin Reverb prototype, and Peter Kohman details the crazy tale of the Guild Starfire Bass Special.

 

Discussing the inner workings of their latest albums are Nick Perri, Dave Mason, Ronnie Earl, Riley Couzzourt and Logan Tolbert of The Georgia Thunderbolts, Zephaniah OHora, Andrea Balestra, and Kirk Fletcher!

 

Our “Classics” photo feature keys on two super-rare pieces – a ’58 Gibson Explorer and the only known lefty pre-war Martin D-28.

 

Speaking of new music, don’t miss our “Hit List” reviews of the latest from Tom Petty, John Petrucci, Steve Hackett, Jordan Tice, Wilco, Motörhead, Stray Cats, and many others.

 

Needing to change up your tone? Don’t miss our “Pickup Spotlight.”

 

Did Santa come up short? Don’t fret, like good ol’ Rudolph, our “Approved Gear” reviews are here to help light the path to your next new piece of essential gear. Read our thoughts on the Boss OC-5, GuitarSlinger’s RB1011 Silver Edition MkII, the Hallmark Buckaroo, Guild’s Starfire I Jet 90, the PRS SE P20E, Strandberg’s Talen Classic, Dr Z’s Joe Walsh Signature Z-Master,  and the Yamaha RevStar RSP20C.

Gary Moore, Duane Betts, Devon Allman, Peter Frampton, Robin Trower, Elvin Boshop

Mike Campbell talks about his favorite vintage instruments and their role in creating new music with his band, The Dirty Knobs. Other artists sharing thoughts on their latest work include Dennis Jones, Gwenifer Raymond, Charles Moothard, Adrian Smith, Jock Bartley, and Johnny Nicholas.

Dave Hunter traces the history of the famed Vox AC100, and examine how the Schaeffer-Vega Diversity System revolutionized arena rock.

Rock and roll guitar has always involved effects pedals. Eilon Paz’s new book, Stompbox: 100 Pedals of the World’s Greatest Guitarists digs into the favorites of high-profile players. We offer an excerpt.

Wolf Marshall studies the life and licks of Soundgarden’s Kim Thayill.

In “Pop ’N Hiss,” we talk with Steve Hunter about his work on the classic Lou Reed’s Rock N Roll Animal and Lou Reed Live albums.

Zac Childs reveals the secrets behind Fender’s Wide Range humbucker.

Our “Classics” photo feature stacks up the Gibson korina, showcasing a ’58 Flying V and ’59 Explorer along with their lesser-known sib, a ’61 Skylark lap steel!

Few things in life are better than discovering great new music, and we’re here to help! Grab this month’s “Hit List” reviews, where we highlight the latest from Wes Montgomery, Kid Ramos, Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa, John Lee Hooker, Hendrix, Allman Brothers Band, Orianthi, Lee Ritenour, and many others!

Our “Approved Gear” reviewes offer test the best new stuff. This month, we plug in the BSM RM Majestic Treble Booster, Cicognani Engineering Pompeii PP603, EHX Mainframe Bit Crusher, Epiphone Crestwood, Eastman MD515, Guild Artisocrat HH, JHS 3 Series, Solo Dallas Schaffer Replica Tower, Altamira TD-Birdseye Oval Hole, and the Fret King Esprit II.

Our annual Readers’ Choice Awards honor players and their music for being beacons of light in the year that was (sigh...) 2020. And we induct Eric Johnson, Edward Van Halen, Rory Gallagher, Jerry Garcia, and the Gibson Les Paul Special to the VG Hall of Fame. 

For more than 30 years, Lyle Workman has backed Sting, Todd Rundgren, Frank Black, and others. His new album offers the sort of guitar master work anticipated by fans.

The Murch Squire II-T was – and is – an attention-getter with a fascinating SoCal origin story. 

Early classic amps always capture attention, even models like the Airline GIM 9151A, which hit the market after their builder’s star faded.

A casual stroll past a shuttered pawn shop in Sweden led to one of guitardom’s great discoveries – a hand-made ’58 Höfner 162!

Artists discussing their new music include acoustic-rock superstars Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, from America, as well as Joe Bonamassa, Cory Wong, Eric Gales, Freddie Salem, and Wolf Hoffman. Wolf Marshall studies the early career of guitar legend Peter Frampton, focusing on his work in Humble Pie, while “Pop ’N Hiss” re-examines Rory Gallagher’s classic album, Photo-Finish.  

Fans of the Fab Four will love this month’s “Classics,” with its look at a nicely thematic collection. Plus, we have a look at Fender’s Blue Floral Tele and Tele Bass, today much- appreciated by collectors.

For a refresher on your gotta-hear music choices, check this month’s “Hit List” reviews, where we highlight the latest from AC/DC, Steve Lukather, Black Sabbath, Chris Hillman, Buzzcocks, Steve Earle, Rick Holmstrom, and many others!

Our “Approved Gear” review staff examines the Drybell Unit67, the Fender Player Series Jaguar, Pickaso Guitar Bow, Fryette Power Station PS-100, Prestige Classic TBK, Reverend Soul Shaker, Carr Super Bee, and the Positive Grid Spark.

His guitar helped make Dinosaur Jr. legendary in alt-rock; we talk with J Mascis about the band’s 35 years, its new music, and challenges forging forward. Speaking of challenges, Lee Ritenour has overcome his share including wildfires that claimed his home, studio, and a lifetime of keepsakes. We check in as he keeps on. Other artists talking new music and gear include Steve Lukather, Michael Schenker, Yasmin Williams, Tony Rombola, and Rod Abernethy.

One of the great tales in 20th-century guitar lore, we tell the story of United Guitar Corporation. And because geeking-out on a amp is always time well spent, we explain the quirky appeal of the Epiphone Devon Tremolo EA-35T. Speaking of quirky, dig into our feature on two rare Gibson Les Paul Juniors, factory finished in black! Continuing the Gibson theme, this month’s “Classics” feature revisists the company’s 1940 logbooks and an early ES-250 with one of the first “diagonal” pickups.

Wolf Marshall breaks down the early career of Robben Ford, and our classic-vinyl “Pop ’N Hiss” column revisits Eric Johnson’s Ah Via Musicom.

Just in time to freshen your listening list, this month’s “Hit List” reviews the latest from Steve Cropper, Eric Clapton, Jimmie Vaughan, Greta Van Fleet, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Michael Schenker Group, Crack the Sky, Mudhoney, and many more.

Our “Approved Gear” crew explains why the Cordoba 15CFM, Keeley Hydra, Tone Electronix Animalizzer, Fender Player Jazz Bass Fretless, Harden Engineering BluesBird, Jammy G, Breedlove Jeff Bridges Concert Copper E, and ToneTron Billy Rocker 10 are worthy of your consideration.

Young bands playing bombastic guitar rock often trod to gain acceptance. Jake Kiszka and his bandmates in Greta Van Fleet have dealt with comparisons and criticism, but shrugged it off while creating their new album, The Battle at Garden’s Gate. We chat with him. Our discussion of new music continues with Tony Iommi, Joanna Connor, Jorge Garcia, Orianthi, Les Sabler, Tagore Grey, and Roine Stolt.

Few instruments command attention like a vintage Les Paul Standard. But a guitar like the Sebastian ’Burst, heard worldwide on classic hits by the Lovin’ Spoonful, will always stop the show.

Developed as twilight set upon the U.S.S.R., the Sovtek MIG-50 evokes a Red Army ethos, with its military components and other quirks. Its tone crosses traits of a Bassman with a plexi, but it’s really much more!

Maybe it’s a nostalgia talking, but nearly every player wishes they still had their first guitar. Rob Harrelson still plays the Kay 1160 he was gifted as a kid and the ’64 Precision Bass that accompanied him through college and in the Navy during Vietnam. This month’s “Classics” tells his story and offers more delicious eye candy in the form of two rare Rickenbackers.

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” column details the greatness of superpicker Tony Rice, while Dan Erlewine replaces the tuning keys on a ’62 Gibson ES-335, and our “Pop ’N Hiss” vintage-vinyl revisit delves into the proto-prog of the Vanilla Fudge album Near the Beginning.

Ready to revitalize your playlists? Our “Hit List” review staff spins the latest from Nancy Wilson, Slim Harpo, Fleetwood Mac, Pat Metheny, Blackmore’s Night, Suzi Quatro, Steep Canyon Rangers, and many others.

If your tone needs a touch-up (and who’s doesn’t?), our “Approved Gear” reviewers test-drive cool stuff like the Dawner Prince Pulse, Fender’s 70th Anniversary Esquire and 60th Anniversary Jazz Bass, the Epiphone Wilshire and Coronet, Walrus Audio’s R1 High Fidelity Reverb, the Peavey HP2, Blackstar’s JJN-20R MkII, and the modern Gibson SJ-200. 

Lauding the musical heritage and traditions of its home state, Blackberry Smoke’s new album, You Hear Georgia, is a rootsy, thematic effort. We speak to Charlie Starr to learn how it was made. We also chat with guitar/violin/mandolin master Mark O’Connor about his ’45 Martin D-28 herringbone and new album. Others talking about their latest work are Steve Cropper, Ian Crichton, Jane Getter, Jesse Aycock, Ally Venable, and Al Stewart. Plus, Wolf Marshall tells us why Pat Martino is a redefined jazzman.

As always, VG delivers the best guitar stories, like the one about why Gretsch moved quickly to launch the 6128 Duo Jet in 1953, or the truth behind the Marshall Major. And few know about the “Hawaiian Gibson,” which had a nut and bridge set for “Spanish” play. But that wasn’t its most-curious element!

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” looks back at the jazzy side of Stevie Ray Vaughan, while “Pop ’N Hiss” flashes back to the underappreciated brilliance of Brian Setzer’s The Knife Feels Like Justice. In “Check This Action,” Dan Forte reminds us why John Mayall is a blues god in the guitar universe.

Because your ears are itchin’ for new guitar tunes, you’ll definitely dig this month’s “Hit List” and our thoughts on the latest by Cheap Trick, Blackberry Smoke, Tony Joe White, Black Sabbath, Jorma Kaukonen, Southern Culture on the Skids, and many others.

Our “Approved Gear” review staff give you information you can use; read their thoughts on DryBell’s The Engine, the Tech 21 SansAmp Classic, the Strymon Iridium, KW Cabs ST-220 SSB, Logan’s Telemaster, the Ramble FX Twin Bender, D’Angelico’s Excel 59, and the Martin D-13E Ziricote. 

Founder of the genre-spanning Asleep at the Wheel, Ray Benson reflects on five decades of triumph, setbacks, and personnel changes that helped revive Western swing. Plus, we talk with three key former members. 

We also ask Neal Schon why he’s selling his iconic Journey guitars, and interview Travis Tritt to talk about the guitars that went along on his first trip to a recording studio in more than a decade. 

Speaking of recording, we talk new music with Styx’s Tommy Shaw and James Young, Paul Gilbert, John Notto, Reverend Peyton, Earl Slick, Jimmy James, and Marc Bonilla, then pay homage to pedal-steel master Rusty Young. 

If you’ve ever wondered about the uber-cool silver-gray tolex on Rickenbacker’s guitar/bass cases from the ’60s, you’ll dig the B14A amp, wrapped in the same stuff. And yes, it sounds good, too! More cool happens with a ’69 Dan Armstrong Lucite guitar and matching ’71 Lucite bass, as well John Wiley’s Guild F-20 Troubadour and Hagstrom Futurama.

Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” tells us why Ronnie Montrose was America’s original answer to British heavy metal, while “Pop ’N Hiss” revisists the fusion greatness of Bruford’s One of a Kind. 

Freshen your guitar-music listening with recommendations from our expert music-review staff, who this month screen the latest by Julian Lage, John Hiatt and Jerry Douglas, Styx, Peter Frampton, Paul Gilbert, Tommy Emmanuel, The Who, and more.

There’s never a bad time to up your game with solid new “Approved Gear,” and this month our staff deep-dives on the Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic, Fender Joe Strummer Campfire, Legendary Tones Lynch Mod, Guild Starfire I DC GVT, Quilter Aviator Cub, Taylor 326ce Urban Ash, Dr. Z CAZ-45, and the PRS Studio.

For nearly 40 years, Brad Gillis has wailed memorable leads for megastars Night Ranger. With a new album, the band is back on tour – and Gillis is back to seeking vintage guitars in all corners of the globe. We talk more new music wtih Eric Bibb, Rick Vito, K.K. Downing, Bobby Eli, Guy King, Pasquale Grasso, and Kenny Brown while Bryan Bassett digs into his two decades (and counting) in Foghat.

This month’s instrument deep dives start with the ultra-rare Krebs Tape Echo Amplifier, from a time when Fender wasn’t the only Leo making guitars and amps in SoCal. Peter Stuart Kohman continues his fascinating look at United Guitar Corporation, whose tale has been, until now, lost in obscurity. We also explain why Fender’s Musicmaster and Duo-Sonic are great collectibles despite having been dismissed by certain snooty collectors. And we tell the story of Billy Soutar’s very personal 1969 Les Paul Personal.

“Pop ’N Hiss” revisits the reasons Wishbone Ash’s Argus is must-know guitar rock, while Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” examines Yngwie Malmsteen’s early days in Alcatrazz, and Dan Forte’ s “Check This Action” remembers Denny Freeman.

This month’s “Hit List” reviews screen the latest from Los Lobos, Brian Setzer, Duke Robillard, Lindsey Buckingham, John Mayer, Foghat, and many others!

Our knowledgable “Approved Gear” review staff takes a look at new gear worth your while, including the Boss SD-1 40th Anniversary, Orange Acoustic Pedal, Walrus Audio ACS1, Fender Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster, Grez Mendocino Junior, Rivolta Combinata Bass VII, Martin DJr-10E StreetMaster, and the PRS HX 50.

The longest-tenured guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, for 20 years, Zakk Wylde has also led Black Label Society, which has two new albums forged with his favorite “fiddles.” Samantha Fish talks about her new album, the latest step in a career marked by constantly evolving sound, style, and skill.

Cross a helicopter with a Martin and you get Ovation guitars – and the Adamas II is its ultimate expression. The Bell 30 RV amp was built for accordionists, but also made sounds a guitarist could love. Live-music fans who once roamed South Florida’s music scene might recognize the ’67 Rickenbacker 360/12 in this month’s “Classics.”

We talk new music with Mark Tremonti, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Seth Lee Jones, Dave Murray, Naia Izumi, and Chris Tapp, then tell the tale of how Jerry Kennedy’s ’53 Martin 00-18 was returned to him after 70 years. There’s also a look at the National Guitar Museum’s “Medieval to Metal” exhibit.

On the 50th anniversary of its release, “Pop ’N Hiss” recounts the stories behind – and impact of – Led Zeppelin’s IV, Wolf Marshall’s “Fretprints” digs into the career of unheralded jazzer Billy Bean, and Dan Forte’ s “Check This Action” column keys on The Jimmie Vaughan Story box set.

This month’s “Hit List” reviews tell why you’ll want to hear the latest from Judas Priest, Peter Frampton, Rory Gallagher, Samantha Fish, Cedric Burnside, Ronnie Lane, Sturgill Simpson, and many others!

Our “Approved Gear” review staff examines new gear  from Santa Cruz, Reverend, Fender, Iris, Vintage Vibe, Postal, TNV, and Line 6.