VINTAGE SPECIAL

THAT VINTAGE SOUND Why Martin's prewar dreadnoughts are the Holy Grail of flattop guitars.
By Richard Johnston

DJANGO'S GUITAR How Mario Maccaferri and Selmer created a radical new guitar for the jazz age.
By François Charle

FOR PLAYERS OR COLLECTORS? The ethics of repairing and restoring vintage instruments.
By Rick Turner

HIGHWAY SONGS Gordon Lightfoot's amazing four-decade career is spotlighted in a new box set.
By Ben Elder

DEPARTMENTS

JUMP STREET Bob Brozman, Annie Gallup, Jim Lauderdale, Happenings, and Acoustic Guitar's tenth anniversary.

REVIEWS Hit List records and two new releases from fingerstylist Tim Sparks.

SONG CRAFT Happy and Satisfied: Toshi Reagon fires up blues, roots, and funk for a multigenerational, multihued following. By Karen Iris Tucker
Words and music to "There Are"

GEARBOX The Martin SP-0016 Stauffer reviewed, plus a look at new gear.

DEAR A.G. Answers to your questions, plus a reader tip.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Basics: Melodic Solos up the Neck. By Dylan Schorer
Soloing examples

Tune In: Understanding Open Tunings. By Paul Reisler
A melody in three keys

OFF THE RECORD Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers introduces world-traveling new music from Bruce Cockburn.
Words and music to "Mango"

GREAT ACOUSTICS 1967 Gibson B-45-12N. By Ben Elder

MARKETPLACE Browse the classified ads with live links to advertiser Web sites.

Cover: 1937 Martin D-18 sunburst. Photo by Bianca Soros, courtesy Hank Risan.