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GALLERY: Show Us Your Gear - Vintage Gear

From super-clean grails to more modern classics to old-school obscurities, a look at the vintage gear in PG readers'' collections.

Craig Karr - 1964 Gibson ES-355 TDSV and 1963 Gibson Firebird V
Karr's two Gibsons are real rarities, with only 198 of the ES-355 made, and just 62 of the Firebird Vs in their respective years. Karr says the ES-355 is, "a killer through an AC30, Plexi, or Deluxe Reverb." He noted that the Firebird V is perfectly balanced with super fast action: "If you're trying to play like Johnny Winter, playing this one is your best shot."

Have your own vintage gear you want considered for our next vintage gallery? Send pictures, including year, make, and model, with a caption about why you dig it, to rebecca@premierguitar.com.

The legendary Elvis sideman was a pioneer of rockabilly guitar, and his approach to merging blues and country influenced generations of guitar pickers. Here’s how he did it.


Chops: Intermediate
Theory: Beginner
Lesson Overview:
• Craft simple blues-based phrases that lie within the CAGED system.
• Understand how double-stops are used in rockabilly music.
• Improve your Travis picking.


Click here to download a printable PDF of this lesson's notation.

In 2016 we lost one of the most influential guitarists and unsung heroes the world has ever known. The driving force behind Elvis Presley’s first recordings, Winfield Scott “Scotty” Moore III helped shape the sound of rock ’n’ roll and inspire generations of fans. Born in 1931, Scotty caught his big break in 1954 when he was called to do a session with Elvis at Sam Phillip’s Sun Studio in Memphis. History was made that day when Elvis recorded “That’s All Right,” and for about four years, Scotty provided 6-string magic for such Elvis hits as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

A huge Chet Atkins fan, Scotty grew up listening to country and jazz. This blend would have a dramatic impact on his sound, as he would mix Travis picking with some ear-twisting note choices based on chords, rather than using an obvious scalar approach.

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The First Marshall Amp Ever?! | Axes & Artifacts at Gruhn Guitars
- YouTube

Nashville's historic Gruhn Guitars give PG an exclusive look at a very early amp that is a piece of rock history that preceded the heralded JTM45. Amp builder and reverb aficionado Eric Borash of Ebo Sounds shares his expertise on this rare amp's lineage, while John Bohlinger plugs in Dan Auerbach's old '60s ES-335 to test it out.

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Photo by Ross Halfin

Metallica's M72 World Tour will be extended into a third year with 21 North American shows spanning April, May, and June 2025.

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Beetronics FX Tuna Fuzz pedal offers vintage-style fuzz in a quirky tuna can enclosure.

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