A rare mix of talent, the Doobie Brothers have long been fronted by Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons, each of whom lends a unique voice and distinct guitar style. We also speak with Robbie Robertson, who, while being one of rock guitar’s true stylists, is more famous for his songwriting, and Dave Stewart, whose first solo album in 13 years was inspired by a cheap (relatively speaking!) old guitar. We also tell you about how Hank Garland helped Gibson develop two guitars not called Byrdland, and dig into our usual assortment of profiles, this month keying on the Rickenbacker Model B Spanish, the Victoria Best American Make, the Selmer Zodiac 50, and Berrington basses!
We talk new music with Johnny Winter, Jon Butcher, George Thorogood, Tony MacAlpine, David Bromberg, and Scott Holiday. Then, since we’re talking Doobie Brothers, we asked Wolf Marshall to show us – and you(!) – three key licks from the band. We also detail the rise of the Epiphone Emperor and take a look at the inner workings of the PRS Amps custom shop!
It’s nearing that time of year when we – always mindful and courteous players, of course – compose our gear-heavy holiday wish lists! This month, we give you food for thought with our reviews of the Budda Twinmaster, the Trace Acoustic TA-300, Fender’s 60th Anniversary Telecaster, the ToneCandy Skull OD, DoleSonic Vintage 108 Woody, and the Traveler TB-4P.
The Many Sides of Rockin’ Robbie Robertson
It’s ironic that one of rock guitar’s true stylists is more famous for his songwriting, and that beneath the minimal playing that marked his work with The Band hides a musical maniac. By Dan Forte
Dave Stewart
Six-Strings, Studios, and Songs
Guitarists often cite instruments as sources of inspiration. For this musician, songwriter, and producer, it wasn’t a ’57 Strat or a ’Burst that recently caused a creative flurry, but a guitar far more pedestrian. By Ward Meeker
Doobies, Brothers
A Discussion With Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons
A rare mix of talent, the Doobie Brothers have long been fronted by these two extraordinary musicians, each of whom has a unique voice and distinct guitar style. By Ward Meeker
Hank’s Protos
How Hank Garland Helped Gibson Develop Two Models Not Called Byrdland
There are great guitars, there are great historic guitars, and there are great historic guitars bearing deep provenance. These two made by Gibson and delivered to an iconic guitarist continue to reverberate in the soundtrack of Americana. By Wolf Marshall
The Victoria Best American Make
The brand represents a time when American guitarmaking was beginning to flex its muscles, and while it isn’t familiar to most players or collectors, there was a time when it could have been on a guitar amateurs could afford. By Michael Wright
The Rickenbacker Model B Spanish
It set the stage for the solidbody electric guitar, which would allow guitar designers virtually unlimited freedom in shaping guitar bodies. Ironically, however, this innovative model was doomed by the limitations of its body material – the modern thermoplastic known as Bakelite. By George Gruhn and Walter Carter
The Selmer Zodiac 50
At the heart of the British guitar boom of the late ’50s/early ’60s, Selmer was for a time the leading amp maker, though it’s all too easy to forget. This was one of its most popular models. By Dave Hunter
Barrrington Basses
In the mid ’80s, Peter LaPlaca, former head of sales and marketing for Gibson/Norlin, and a co-founder of Kramer, was itching to get back into the guitar business. Here’s how he did it. By Willie G. Moseley
Reader Mail
News and Notes
Verheyan and Trovato Play SoCal; Fieger Estate Releases Rare Recordings, Atlanta Vintage Changes Hands; In Memoriam, More!
George Thorogood
Chess Game
By John Heidt
Scott Holiday
Rival Sons’ Guitar Man
By Oscar Jordan
Ask Zac
By Zac Childs
David Bromberg
A Real Comeback
By John Heidt
VG on Facebook
Johnny Winter
Returning To His Roots
By Oscar Jordan
Jon Butcher
Back to Beantown
By Willie G. Moseley
PRS Amps Custom Shop
A Quest For Tone
By Wolf Marshall
Tony MacAlpine
The Art of Intense Guitar
By Pete Prown
The VG Hall of Fame Giveaway
Win an Egnater Tweaker head/cab worth $1,600!
CLICK HERE TO VOTE!
Vintage Guitar Price Guide
Builder Profile
Sweetwood Guitar Company
Dealer showcase
Vintage Guitar Classified Ads
Dealer Directory
Readers Gallery
The (Way) Back Beat
Epi-Phonic Echoes, Part Six
By Peter S. Kohman
Q&A With George Gruhn
Acousticville
New Look: Joe Spann Book on Gibson Lends Long-Sought Information
By Steven Stone
Fretprints
The Doobie Brothers: The Classic Years
By Wolf Marshall
Dan’s Guitar Rx
Harmony Bridge Fix
By Dan Erlewine
Shop of Hard Knocks
Travel-Guitar Tuneup
By Will Kelly
Talkin’ Amps with…
Tim Gregoire: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Attenuators, Part Two
By David Jung
The VG Hit List
CD and DVD Reviews: The Beau Brummels, Neil Young and International Harvester, Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton, The London Soul, Spann’s Guide To Gibson 1902-1941, more!
Check This Action
First Ladies
By Dan Forte
Vintage Guitar Gear Reviews
Budda Twinmaster, Trace Acoustic TA-300, Fender 60th Anniversary Telecaster, ToneCandy Skull OD, DoleSonic Vintage 108 Woody, Traveler TB-4P
Gearin’ Up!
The latest cool new stuff!
