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Featherweight Champs
Fourteen great small-bodied flattops under $3,000.
By Teja Gerken
Read the story online.

Tin Pan Alley Cat
Stephen Fearing energizes his music with collaboration and classic song craft.
By Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers

Words and music to "Black Silk Gown"

Possessed by the Song
The deep Delta blues of Son House. By Jas Obrecht

Words and music to "My Black Mama"

DEPARTMENTS

JUMP STREET The Be Good Tanyas, Shetland Islands country singer Thomas Fraser, the folkumentary A Mighty Wind, Happenings, and more.

REVIEWS Masterpieces of Guitar Making, and Hit List CDs.

HERE'S HOW Testing, Testing: What you need to know the first time you use a PA. By Teja Gerken

A.G. LETTER On the road in Auckland, New Zealand, with Norah Jones' guitarist Adam Levy.

ON THE WEB After Napster: Pay-to-play music download sites. By Dylan Schorer

MARKETPLACE Browse the classified ads with live links to advertiser websites.

GEARBOX A visit with Eichelbaum Guitars and lots of new gear.

Q&A Answers to your questions about cocobolo, electric vs. acoustic amps, and more.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Basics: Blues Fingerpicking. By Pete Madsen
Music to "Train Stop Blues"

Fingerstyle Techniques: 12-String Melodies. By Chris Proctor
Music to "Sailor's Hornpipe"
Music to "Fisher's Hornpipe"

OFF THE RECORD James Alan Shelton's traditional crosspicking. By Sue Thompson
Music to "It Is Better Farther On"

GREAT ACOUSTICS Jeff Traugott Night Sky. By Teja Gerken

Cover: Guitar master Doc Watson. Photo by Blair Jensen.