FEATURES
46 BORN IN THE USA The Sears and Montgomery Ward's mail-order catalogues supplied America with low-priced guitars for 100 years. Michael Wright looks back at an important, often overlooked chapter in guitar history.
56 HYNDE SIGHT The Pretenders reinvent some of their classic songs on the new live acoustic set The Isle of View. Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers speaks to Chrissie Hynde and lead guitarist Adam Seymour about the making of one of the best unplugged albums of the '90s.
62 HIDDEN TREASURES David Starobin leads the pack in commissioning new works for classical guitar and uncovering little-known gems from the 19th century. He talks with Scott Cmiel about his work as a solo artist and chamber musician, and introduces his guitar transcription of Giulio Regondi's "Waltz No. 2 for Concertina."
DEPARTMENTS
6 CONTRIBUTORS
8 MUSIC NOTATION KEY
11 MAIL
16 JUMP STREET The music behind Dead Man Walking, Happenings, and Hit List record reviews.
20 REVIEWS Instructional software and bluegrass CDs.
28 A.G. LETTER James Markham shares his experiences setting up an open-mic night in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
31 SHOPTALK The
Unfriendly Skies: How to help your guitar survive your next flight. By
Kristina Olsen
39 SONG CRAFT Paperback Writer: Bill Morrissey applies his storytelling prowess to the printed page. With words and music to "Birches." By Steve Boisson
81 GEARBOX Equipment picks from this issue's featured artists and new gear spotlights.
87 FOR BEGINNERS Rephrasing the Melody. By Mike Christiansen
93 WOOD CHOPS Return to "Foggy Mountain." With music to Flatt and Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Special." By Dix Bruce
98 SOLO Ben Elder introduces Dan Crary's arrangement of "Durang's Hornpipe."
103 DEAR A.G. Answers to your questions, plus a reader tip on tuning without a tuner.
106 GREAT ACOUSTICS 1920s Supertone. By Rick Turner
Cover: A 1920s Supertone, originally sold by Sears for $19.75. Stories on pages 46 and 106. Photo by Peter Figen.
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