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Gallery: Riot Fest 2018

We cherry-picked the essential guitar-centric happenings from Chicago’s three-day celebration, including performances from Johnny Marr, Elvis Costello, Incubus, Weezer, Bad Religion, Jesus Lizard, and more!

Face to Face’s Scott Shiflett

Punk rock runs through the Shiflett brothers blood: Scott has been the bassist/vocalist for Face to Face since 1995 and his brother Chris spent the ’90s playing with No Use For a Name and Me First and the Gimme Gimmes before landing the stadium-filling gig as a second guitarist in the Foo Fighters. This Fender P bass shows off Shiflett’s roots with stickers of Strung Out, Lagwagon, and Bad Religion.

Stevie Van Zandt with “Number One,” the ’80s reissue Stratocaster—with custom paisley pickguard from luthier Dave Petillo—that he’s been playing for the last quarter century or so.

Photo by Pamela Springsteen

With the E Street Band, he’s served as musical consigliere to Bruce Springsteen for most of his musical life. And although he stands next to the Boss onstage, guitar in hand, he’s remained mostly quiet about his work as a player—until now.

I’m stuck in Stevie Van Zandt’s elevator, and the New York City Fire Department has been summoned. It’s early March, and I am trapped on the top floor of a six-story office building in Greenwich Village. On the other side of this intransigent door is Van Zandt’s recording studio, his guitars, amps, and other instruments, his Wicked Cool Records offices, and his man cave. The latter is filled with so much day-glo baby boomer memorabilia that it’s like being dropped into a Milton Glaser-themed fantasy land—a bright, candy-colored chandelier swings into the room from the skylight.


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Bohlinger Builds a Stellar Strat and Tests 2 Maple Necks
- YouTube

Follow along as we build a one-of-a-kind Strat featuring top-notch components, modern upgrades, and classic vibes. Plus, see how a vintage neck stacks up against a modern one in our tone test. Watch the demo and enter for your chance to win this custom guitar!


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With over 350 effects models, 120 sampling slots, and a Groove Station with a 480-second looper, this pedal offers unparalleled versatility for guitarists worldwide.

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Hand-crafted in Petaluma, California, this amp features upgrades while maintaining the original's legendary tone.

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