MADE TO ORDER Shopping for a Custom Guitar. By Julie Bergman

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Inspiring new guitars, multitrack recorders, accessories, and more introduced at the summer NAMM show. By Teja Gerken

PASSION PLAYS Ian Anderson’s three decades of visual songwriting with Jethro Tull. Read the complete story online. To learn more about Anderson's guitars and gear, click here. By Steve Boisson

Words and music to "Thick as a Brick"

DEPARTMENTS

JUMP STREET Jess Klein, Del Rey, the Warner Collection, Happenings, and more.

A.G. LETTER Greg McGuire reports from Cape Breton’s kitchen jam sessions.

REVIEWS Hit List records, plus two new Woody Guthrie tributes, and Celtic fingerstyle instructional videos by Tony McManus.

SONG CRAFT Heart and Soul: Late-blooming singer-songwriter Stacey Earle lays her love on the line. By Rani Arbo
Words and music to "Makes Me Happy"

STAGE AND STUDIO

Homegrown CD Winner No. 6: The Haoles, Modern Stone Age Music. By Scott Nygaard

Hired Gun: How to Succeed as an On-Stage Side Musician. By Scott Nygaard

SHOPTALK Shake, Rattle, and Roll: How to diagnose loose parts on your guitar. By Frank Ford

WHAT THEY PLAY Equipment picks from our featured artists.

DEAR A.G. Answers to your questions.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Basics: Double Dropped-D Tuning. By Dylan Schorer
Musical examples

Fingerstyle Techniques: Rhythmic Variations. By Gary Joyner
Musical examples

OFF THE RECORD Dylan Schorer introduces a classic folk ballad by England’s Nic Jones.
Music to "Canadee-I-O"

GREAT ACOUSTICS Selmer Modele Jazz. By Michael Simmons

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

Cover: A custom creation by Australia’s Jim Redgate. Photo by Andrew Dunbar.