Product Description
Whether you simply want to maintain your guitar or hot-rod it into a radical new incarnation, this book is the ideal guide. By the columnist of Guitar Player's popular Repairs & Modifications column, this comprehensive book is a must for any guitarist who needs information on beginning repairs through advance enhancements.
Customer Reviews:
Well, of course it isn't a "Chilton's"..........2007-09-21
I'm not going to waste your time by parroting the features so many other reviewers have covered, but I will waste your time by rebutting some of the naysayers. Anyone who spends a few minutes really looking at the sheer number of styles, parts and options the world of electric guitars has to offer will realize no single binding could possibly walk the reader step-by-step through all possible operations with all possible combinations. Guitar features can be nearly as expressive and unregulated as the music of the guitars themselves. With that said, if you want to learn to think about working on guitars, this is the book for you. Using this book as a reference and using your brain as a tool, you will find in the author and yourself an excellent team for bringing an old junker to life or maintaining your pride and joy.
Could have been better.......2007-07-22
This could have been a much better book if the author had designed it more like a Chilton's manual. It lacks a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough. Still, this book has its strengths, and I would recomend it to a new guitarist, or a guitar player that might not be so handy, but wants to a have a sweeping general knowledge of guitar maintenance.
I wouldn't use this book as a guide on how to paint a guitar, but it is useful in showing how guitars are painted, d'you know what I mean?
Don't waste your money.......2007-06-12
I've been playing guitar for quite a while and finally got the notion to learn how to set up and upgrade my guitars. The author skims over a lot of information. I agree with most of the other 3 stars or less reviews in that this is no way a step-by-step guide to doing anything. I surfed the net quite extensively and found instructions for exactly what I want to do.
too much detail in some areas and not enough in others.......2007-05-25
When setting up my guitar, I found myself looking for more information and pictures that this book does not have. However, it is very detailed and provides many great insights, such as, creating some of your own guitar tech tools and the tricks of professionals. Instead of simply having a section about adjusting the action on an acoustic guitar, I had to jump around throughout the book, and was still left with many unanswered questions. However, the sections on setting up an electric were much more detailed, all in one place, and easier to follow.
If you own or play guitar, you must own this book!!.......2007-05-09
This is a MUST OWN book for anyone who plays guitar, even casually. Step-by-step instruction how to do the simplest repairs like changing strings, to more difficult and technical like how to install new pickups and wiring...and everything in between.
Just the chapter on how to set-up your guitar makes the book worth buying!
You will NOT be disappointed!
Book Description
For some, it is not enough to buy a guitar—the challenge of designing and hand-making a unique, customized instrument is the dream. Since 1986, these people have turned to one book: Make Your Own Electric Guitar. Written in a clear, relaxed style, it covers every facet of guitar design and construction, as well as electronic theory and practice, and full woodworking and wiring techniques—all supported with plenty of photos and diagrams. Now in a revised and expanded edition, Make Your Own Electric Guitar will enable any musician or enthusiast with basic woodworking skills to create a uniquely valuable instrument.
Customer Reviews:
If you could only have one book...........2007-08-03
I wanted to build an electric guitar mostly from scratch and I had a limited budget. I was pretty sure than I could do it without a book and I probably could have. But I wanted to make sure I wasn't forgetting something important and I wanted the advice of someone with experience so I could avoid any unneeded heartache. After reading the reviews here on Amazon, I picked out this book.
I made a very good choice. I started and completed my guitar and this book helped point out at least a half dozen things I hadn't thought of.
I've since read or looked through maybe 10 more books on the subject, and I'm fairly certain that I couldn't have made a better choice. There are more comprehensive books out there, sure, but if you've already got a good idea on how it needs to be done, and you just need a little more info, this book is perfect for you. Also, the rest of those books are boring for the more entry level types.
Melvin gives solid and clear examples, and gives you room to fudge things should you need to.
My only problem with this book is that, other than looking up a spec or something, the author does such a good job explaining everything that you don't really have the urge to reread it.
Like I said, I've since read more books than I care to on the subject of building an electric guitar but this is the book I would and have recommended to the the rare person who asks me if I think they can build a guitar from scratch.
Okay so, no one has ever asked that. But hopefully those of you with friends might guess what I'm trying to say.
Guitar building.......2007-07-29
The book is loaded with useful info. It would be better if it included better templates for actual use though. Very satisfied with the book for the price and my seller shipped very fast.
Almost.......2007-05-31
This book is a very good book but does not cover everything.
Me and my grandpa have decided to build a guitar together. I have read almost all of this book and i seem pretty confident that i could build a good guitar. I am confused on truss rods though. The book does not tell you how to install a truss rod thoroughly. Sometimes the way he talked made me confussed on which type of truss rod he was talking about. I my dad read that chapter so maybe he could clairfy me.
Despite that flaw the book covers everything from designing to finishing to seting up the guitar. It even has a chapter on tremlo systems.
The chapter on freting is very throurgh. It shows you a simple way to calculate fret distances using a spreedsheet program on a computer. It also explains the two ways to put frets in very complete. Before i read that chapter i thought fretting would be the hardest part but now i think it will be a brezze.
The book also has a very long chapter on pickup and control wiring. It includes digrams that are very helpful. another good chapter is finshing on the guitar. That is the paint on the guitar.
Overall this is a very throurgh book despite the truss rod problem
Expected much more........2007-03-09
Not satisfied.The book should be entitled, "the history of electic guitar". VERY poor information about construction,ultra low quality photos.
Solid body guitar construction.......2007-02-13
I purchased what were described as the three best books on the market to aid in solid body electric guitar construction. Hiscock's book was by far the best, very informative, lots of detail. It doesn't meet the standard of Benedetto's book on archtop construction, or the Cumpiano/Solomon book on acoustics but it is still the best on electrics. It just takes lots of reading and thinking to learn what you need to know from this book.
Book Description
Totally Guitar is the biggest and most complete book on the world's most popular instrument, full of expert tips and fascinating stories for both beginning and advanced players. An unrivalled guide to the guitar, here are the stories behind 100 key electric guitar makers, from Alembic to Zemaitis, with fabulous color photos of all the greatest models from the 1930s to the 2000s. Here too is advice on how to string, tune, set up, clean, maintain, and store a prized instrument. Add 1,250 bars of music, 250 chords, the biggest glossary of guitar terms ever assembled in one book, and hundreds of essential tips on 10 hot playing styles from acoustic to rock 'n' roll and the result is a modern bible for the guitar-obsessed.
Customer Reviews:
Great book if you don't already have Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia.......2007-10-11
When I got this book I was amazed at how huge it was. It's heavy too. In fact I'm not sure it would be safe to put this on a music stand, it could injure someone. The content is like having a couple years worth of Guitar Player magazine columns in one big book. Covers over a dozen styles in their individual chapters with some representative licks. Also lots of guitar maintenance stuff, tho I just don't see how a book of this bulk could work in a workshop environment.
So the book is pretty great, the only BIG problem I have is that 300 pages of this book is a reprint of Tony's previous book, "Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia". And I had just bought that book 2 weeks before. So if you have THAT book already, then you are getting just 297 pages of new material in a book that's 3x as heavy as that one (this one is hardcover).
If that factoid was mentioned in the review than I guess it's my own fault, but either way it bears repeating. Of course if you don't have the previous book than this is great. The colors are a bit richer than the previous book, too. But I probably would have skipped this if I had known the above.
Totally Guitar...Totally Awesome (sorry, it was too easy).......2007-05-31
This is a great book...voluminous. Easy to follow visuals. Great depth in a variety of styles.
totally guitar: Totally heaven.......2007-05-19
I love guitars and this is the perfect book for me. I can sit and see the beautiful pictures of guitars (on beautiful paper by the way)and read the in depth information on so many topics to do with guitars. I was reading about the different sounds made by the different woods last night. It has the history of the guitar presented in such a way that for once I didn't have to fight off sleep. I'm just into it, and already I am so pleased. Not a wasted cent.
Every Guitarist Should Have This.......2007-02-05
This book has a little bit of everything, lessons, tips, maintenance intructions, history, everything. Great value for this price! I bought it and not one penny went to waste.
Totally guitar.......2006-11-04
simply the best info that can be found about guitars are gathered into this single book. great deal.
highly recommended for all level guitar players
Book Description
There are six million out there—from Eric Clapton’s million-dollar “Blackie” to your treasured hand-me-down—and still the world can’t get enough of the Fender Stratocaster, the legendary electric guitar-of-choice for players and dreamers from pioneers like Buddy Holly to today’s garage-band heroes. This is the world’s first hands-on, how-to manual for the Strat, taking the mystery out of maintaining and modifying what is really a relatively simple instrument (two boards, some wires, some pickups). It shows you how to make the most of your Stratocaster—and how to make it truly your own.
With clear text and colorful illustrations, this guidebook takes readers through the basics of selecting and buying Strats; maintenance and repairs such as tuning, setting intonation, tremolo alignment, fret repairs, bridge and nut adjustments, electrics troubleshooting; spur-of-the-moment stageside fixes; and some basic performance enhancements like adding “hot rod” Fender and aftermarket pickups, locking-tremolo nuts, and more.
Customer Reviews:
Does Not Do Justice To The Usual Haynes Manuals Quality.......2007-10-07
First, if you just bought a Strat (any type from the far, far East to the current American Standard)you might enjoy this book but if you have owned Strats before and are familiar with them you should save your money. If you are looking for real usable information to really set up your Strat to perfection, you might look at Dan Erlewine's books instead either the one on repairs or the one on how to make your electric guitar play great.
My copy of this book was one of the first editions ordered through Amazon.uk in England and arrived months ahead of the US release of this book. I was disappointed that the book was not up to the usual Haynes manual quality (like the ones for cars and motorcycles). Who needs to see a picture of Squier Strat pickups to know they are junk? Or a close up of a cracked pickguard from an overtightened screw? History wise it gives some data, but not nearly as much as the Duchossoir book and the Wheeler book. Both of which are excellent. Or even the Minnihinnet and Young book.
Don't expect too much from this book. It tries to cover many areas of the Strat but offers no real depth for any area. It might be worth it at about half the price it's offered at. More and better information is available elsewhere.
Great book about Fender guitars........2007-06-09
Very well-written book about the history and maintenance of Fender guitars. What I really like most about the book is the generous data provided on Squier guitars! I cannot afford a true Fender Stratocaster. Great info about famous Strat players! Did you know that Buddy Holly played a strat? I love how the book shows what is done to fix guitars using case studies,too. It is the best book that I have read on Fender guitars, ever.
The BEST book out there on Strat maintenance.......2007-04-15
I wanted to give a more in-depth review of this book than what's currently on here now.
First, about myself. As of the writing of this review I'm 38 and have been playing for over 20 years. I have been setting up, modifying and tinkering with guitars all along. So trust me when I say that this book is a must-have if you want to work on your Fender Strat. Or, if you just want to know more about what makes a strat sound and play the way it does, this book serves that purpose as well. If you are already familair with setting up your strat then this book won't tell you anything new, but it's still an enjoyable read.
The book is 176 glossy pages with rich, beautiful professional photos throughout the entire book. The text is very easy to read even for those that aren't entirely familiar with the intricate working and electronics of guitars in general and therefore provides for an enjoyable read even for the casual reader.
What the book is not: Althought it touches on repair, t's not a repair manual. The information on repair is not comprehensive enough to actually do it yourself. It's not a compendium of Strats from year to year giving comprehensive differences and when things changed. This information is already available from other sources. It's not simply a picture book or coffee table book even though the size and Hard Cover format might suggest.
What it is: A comprehensive breakdown of how to set-up your Fender Stratocaster. And it does this in a fashion that allows the new tinkerer to get in there and do the work themselves. Very much in the same vein as Dan Earlwine's books.
The book goes over specific bridge designs and how to adjust string height, trem settings, etc. It explains how to adjust the truss rod on the various styles (bullet, vintage at the heel, at the peghead, etc.). It shows you how to set up the pickup heights, string heights, etc. Also explains some weaknesses inherent in specific designs such as vintage tuners, saddles, etc.
The book also has a great set of appendices that explains Fender neck profiles, body woods, what specific screws are used where (great for knowing what to order if you lost one), and a few other tidbits.
Of note there is a good part of the book dedicated to examining a few specific models of guitars and their specs. They are: 54' Custom Shop, US 57 RI, Chinese Squier, Mexican Fat Strat, Indonesian 'Standard' Squier, Custom Shop Clapton, US 74' reissue, Japanese 50th Anniversary, US Am Series 2005, Chinese Standard Squier. These "case studies" examine the actual guitar in the author's hands, not just the model in generic terms. This information isn't terribly useful, but it is fun to read an offers some insight to the variances of some models.
Lastly, there is a small section devoted to some of the Strat's most famous players and it examine's a famous strat that they used. Again, the information contained is not "defining" to me, but it's fun to read.
In conclusion, the reason to buy the book is for the clearly-written step-by-step instructions on how to set up your Stratocaster. The rest of the information can be found in other places, and probably in better detail, but it's nice to have it all contained in one book.
I think a book like this is long overdue. Without this book the tinkerer would have to spend a few weeks asking Q&A at various guitar forums. And even then you have to figure out who's right and who's wrong. I can say from my own experiences over the years in setting guitars up that this book is an excellent resource for the would-be do-it-yourselfer that wants to learn basic maintenance on his/her Fender Stratocaster.
The book is a joy to read too. If you don't have a Strat and are thinking of buying one...this book will put you over the edge and send you running off to buy one.
Cheers!
fantastic resource.......2007-04-05
If you want to know everything there is to know about the Fender Stratocaster, this is your Bible. History, great photos, set up instructions, it's all there. Two knocks: a bit self serving as if it were a Fender advertisement at times, and I would have liked to have seen case studies on more diverse artists: Malmsteen, Buddy Guy, Gilmour, Sambora, and even EVH. Still a solid 5.
a great guide.......2007-03-10
this is a great book chock full of great information about how to set up and maintain nearly everything on a fender stratocaster. in great pictoral detail. it is invaluable to any person working on strats.
i almost withheld that last star (4-star review) simply because of his choices of which models that they delve into are almost all reissue guitars. i would prefer to see case studies of actual 50s, 60s, 70s, 80, and such stratocasters.
Customer Reviews:
GREAT 4 HISTORY OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LOVERS.......2000-07-14
If you are interested in the history of musical instruments this is a good book for you! I personally didn't like the book topic but I did enjoy the structure of the book and all the flaps and moving parts. The stickers that you can reuse are a lot of fun and the mini book inside the book is cool! If you would like to learn more about the history of musical instruments you should read this book.
GREAT 4 HISTORY OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LOVERS.......2000-07-14
If you are interested in the history of musical instrumentsthis is a good book for you! I personally didn't like the book topicbut I did enjoy the structure of the book and all the flaps and moving parts. The stickers that you can reuse are a lot of fun and the mini book inside the book is cool! If you would like to learn more about the history of musical instruments you should read this book.
GREAT 4 HISTORY OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LOVERS.......2000-07-14
Musical Instruments is about the history of musical instruments. It is a good book for people who would like to learn more about the history of musical instruments. I, personally didn't like this book that much because I am not into history of musical instruments, however, I did enjoy the flaps throughout the book. If you would like to learn more about the history of musical instruments you should read this book.
GREAT 4 HISTORY OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT LOVERS.......2000-07-14
Musical Instruments is about the history of musical instruments. It is a good book for people who would like to learn more about the history of musical instruments. I, personally didn't like this book that much because I am not into history of musical instruments, however, I did enjoy the flaps throughout the book. If you would like to learn more about the history of musical instruments you should read this book.
Book Description
From the award winning team that produced the best selling Ultimate Guitar Book comes the most comprehensive book about the electric guitar. Its A-to-Z format covers more than 120 makers from around the world and details their successes and failures through 1,200 unique color, studio quality photographs. The book focuses on the iconic electric guitar with an introduction that places the electric guitar in a historical context, running from early acoustic instruments in the 16th century to amplification experiments in the 1930's. The main body of the book is the A-to-Z of brands, covering the key 65-year period from 1935 to 2000.
Customer Reviews:
Oops!.......2007-09-02
I bought this book and later I bought "Totally Guitar" by Tony Bacon. Then I noticed the latter had incorporated all of this Illustrated Encyclopedia (of which Bacon is co-author) in his new book. So with Totally Guitar Totally Guitar: The Definitive Guide you get two books for the price of one.
If you're only looking for Guitar models, the Illustrated History is brilliant, but if you're looking for a lot more on the side for the same dollars, try Totally Guitar.
A dream come true!.......2007-05-14
Just what I was waiting for, all the guitars I had dreamed about together in a fantastic display of luxury photographs together with their history and general background. The best guitar exhibition at reasonable price.Terrific pictures and very good paper quality. A must for every guitar afficionado!
Guitar bible.......2007-02-08
This is a great encyclopedia, but I find it still lacks some information concering the big Far East brands.
Really good info on vintage guitar corporations........2006-12-05
This book is very professional and entertaining to read. It covers all of the basics and then some. It is probably 10 yrs old by now, but the info shared is relevant and the pics bring you back to yesteryear. This book includes even the older obsolete popular guitars, such as Harmony which was mass produced and found on nearly every other teenagers bunk bed during the 70's. I have 3 vintage guitars, Fender Tele, Hamer Special and now Ibanez 540 S and these are all included. Also is Danelectro which I own and the history includes the company from NJ to when it shut down to Korean models. Very good coffee table book for anyone who is moderately interested in guitars. I have seen all of the books out there and this is probably the most direct and simple one without condescending tone.
Great history and beautiful photos.......2005-11-25
This book is now showing up as a remainder at under ten dollars-- at that price there's no reason anyone interested in electric guitars would not have a copy. It offers a generic history of the electic guitar that will be familiar to anyone at all versed in the intstrument; what's unique here is the comprehensive coverage of factory-built guitars over the past 80 years. Every company I've heard of (and several I've not) is covered. Gibson, Fender, et al. get long sections and dozens of photos, but even lesser-known importers like Aria are given strong coverage. For those who have only heard about makes like Mosrite, Teisco, Framus, etc. there are great photos and strong histories. As an aspiring guitar builder I bought the book for the photos; the well written text is an added bonus.
Product Description
From shopping for a first electric guitar to setting customized action, this do-it-yourself player's primer for owning and maintaining an electric guitar explains the ins and outs of: choosing the right guitar; cleaning, tools and basic maintenance; personalizing and improving on a factory setup; trouble-shooting; basic guitar electronics; setups of the pros; and much more. Written by Dan Erlewine, author of the bestselling Guitar Player Repair Guide and the popular Repairs column in Guitar Player magazine, this book also includes a plastic sheet with specialized guitar tools you can snap-out!
Customer Reviews:
Essential for every guitar player.......2007-04-28
This book deserves a full on five stars despite any slight flaws it may have. I agree with another reviewer that the beginner who isn't used to the terms and common practices of the craft may have some difficult at first. The book isn't particularly well laid out in that sense.
However, all the information is there and very well explained. It provides guitar players with a better understanding of their instruments which leads to better evaluation of a potential purchase - including a priceless walk-thru a guitar evaluation. It also guides the guitarrist through the basic setup and maintenance that the instrument requires so often. All this is achieved with a minimum of tools (the pro jobs are left to pros) and there's plenty of suggestions for home made, "recycled" tools.
I like this book better than his earlier one and it's my main reference. His videos are also a good reference.
Review - How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great.......2007-04-14
A thorough walthrough of just about all steps for setting up your fave axe to
play properly.
Inspecting your guitar before buying it second hand or new,
cleaning and repair, setting up stringheight intonation trussrods etc,
adjusting tailbridges saddles and vibratos.
Dan covers a range of different guitarmodels as a fulcrum
for bringing his point and knowledge home.
If you want to tinker experiment or
adjust your electric guitar to your own style and taste,
this book has a lot of useful information.
Personally I would love to see the pictures in the book with color
instead of just black and white, for clarity and contrast.
Some of the photos in this book look a bit washed out to me.
This would probably raise the price of this very useful book though.
home studio.......2007-03-20
This book was really helpful is setting up my Les Paul Standard. A good book to have on hand when making repairs.
One of the best I have read.......2007-02-28
It has everything for the guitar player that wishes to set his guitar himself.
Must have!
Excelent book for all guitar players.......2006-07-04
This book complement the other book from Dan Erlewine that I purchased. The explanations are very consistents and elucidative, helping the player to extract the maximum sound output and playability from the guitar.
Book Description
Q.: What on earth would make someone want to build an electric guitar from scratch? Can't you just buy one cheaper? A.: Well sure, but with this definitive book on the subject as your guide, you can create your own axe masterpiece, with the precise finish, the exact pickups, and the custom hardware you've always wanted. Plus, you'll have the indescribable satisfaction of knowing you created something cool out of nothing. And that sure beats buying off the rack! Organized logically from start to finish, this helpful guide will assist you every step of the way; from the design and planning stage to the final setup, each step in the process is written about in abundant detail, with hundreds of photographs, and special full-color sections on wood selection and finishing. Also includes a glossary of terms, an index of materials suppliers, and much more!
Customer Reviews:
A good book but expensive........2003-05-10
This book is a glossy well illustrated guide to building an electric guitar.
It has lots of wonderful tips and great pictures of guitar making.The book has terrific information on tone woods,Pickups,and guitar wiring.
The one critism I have of this book is that it reads in parts like a commercial for STEWMAC I agree that they are great suppliers of guitar parts and and and all the tools anyone would ever need to build a guitar.Does the author really have to appear wearing one of their branded aprons.
Do your self a favour buy the Melvyn Hiscock book it is a little more comprehensive and is written with a bit of humour and style.
Product Description
The guitar industrys most comprehensive publication on acoustic guitar information and pricing has been dramatically improved! The new 10th Anniversary Edition Blue Book of Electric Guitars is now over 1,000 pages, and features hundreds of new images. Written by Zachary Fjestad and edited by S.P. Fjestad, the fully revised 10th Anniversary Edition Blue Book of Electric Guitars keeps the reader up-to-date on new and vintage pricing, technical information on electric instruments, and serialization on most major trademarks. This Anniversary Edition lists the current and discontinued electric companies, contains a thoroughly revised Trademark Index with contact information, and features hundreds of B&W photos depicting popular makes and models. Reliable guitar information has never been easier! The new 10th Anniversary Edition also showcases a fully revised, full color Photo Grading System (a Blue Book Publications, Inc. exclusive!). The Photo Grading System is the consumers best tool to correctly ascertain the various grades of both new and vintage acoustic instruments. These high resolution color photos enable even a novice to lock into each guitars unique condition factor easily and accurately, showing a variety of real world condition factors over a wide range of instrument models and configurations. Why guess when you can be sure? Most of the information contained in the new 10th Anniversary Edition Blue Book of Electric Guitars is simply not available in any other single publication for any price period. No other reference and value guide even comes close.
Customer Reviews:
Not your grandfathers NADA blue book.......2006-08-03
This book is great not just prices but a ton of knowledge that is extremely helpful... What to watch for and how to verify it... There are always those that try to get a little more than they deserve in any business... After reading this books hints and tips it is like you have twenty years experience in buying selling trading guitars... Many of my long time guitar experience friends are amazed when I come up with things that even they didn't know... Like serial codes that indentify what country their guitars were made... One of the biggest bang for the buck books I have bought in a long time...
Excellent Reference.......2005-12-27
I use this book as a reference in pricing. I have found it to be a very valuable tool for a starting point on pricing. Also, I have found it to be a very handy reference to locate model information without having to go to several sources. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in collecting or buying vintage guitars.
Great Book, Even If Some Information Is Mistaken.......2005-07-14
THE BLUE BOOK OF ELECTRIC GUITARS is a great book featuring information about different guitars, both old and new. Some information here needs to be taken like the humor in comedy films featuring Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alyson Hannigan, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and/or Melissa Joan Hart, because instruments that are still in production are listed as discontinued, but it's still a wonderful book.
R is for Ripoff.......2004-06-07
Had to return this stinker fast. Very incomplete book for guitars alone, never mind their value (Which most are valued too low in here). Inexperienced author (not the guy on the cover), some kid. I could not believe how bad it was. Format is terrible, it's painful looking up a particular guitar. A Good book for this type of info is Vintage Guitar Price Guide. It is a four star book (still incomplete) - I've yet to see a five star on this subject.......??
THE NOT SO BLUE BOOK.......2002-09-08
This is one real good book,loads of info,great reading,this book dont make me blue it brightens up my life,A1.
Book Description
This exciting book documents the complete decade-by-decade story of one of the world's most important and influential electric guitars. The Gibson Les Paul turned 50 years old in 2002, and since its invention, its sweet, urgent sound has been used by a host of major rock players - from Eric Clapton in Cream to Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols, from Joe Walsh in The Eagles to Slash of Guns N'Roses. Unique color photographs feature a multitude of luscious Les Paul models and highlight great players in action with their Les Paul guitars. Meticulous listings for the collector document every model produced from 1952 to the present day. 50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul is a beautiful, detailed examination of six decades of great guitars and the fine musicians inspired to play them.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent,good book to know the history of this guitar........2007-10-11
Gibson Electrics - The Classic YearsGibson Guitars: 100 Years of an American Icon
Another must have for Gibson lovers.......2007-05-09
A great book on Gibsons and also for references.
Good book, but I expected more.......2006-11-24
After reading Tom Wheeler's incredible 50th anniv of the Fender Strat book, I wanted to complement it with a similar book about the Les Paul. This book wasn't it. Perhaps it's because the Les Paul (guitar) story isn't quite as riveting as the Fender story, and that's not meant as a swipe. The Fender story is about Leo Fender and a few others building an empire. The Les Paul story, however, is more "corporate". There's less personal drama.
Tony Bacon does a decent job with the facts at hand, but I'm done reading the book, and I'm left wanting more. It's not a bad book, it will remain in my music book library. But I'm on the hunt for more info on the Les Paul's history.
Great summary of a great line of guitars.......2005-10-01
I've always found it fascinating that the one man who did so much for rock and roll guitar isn't a rock and roller himself. But who cares if Les Paul is a jazz or country artist? He inspired a fantastic instrument, and this is a wonderful guide to those greatest electric guitars. Highly recommended.
The succinct history of a classic model of electronic guitar.......2002-07-08
50 Years Of The Gibson Les Paul by music author and guitar expert Tony Bacon is a superbly presented and succinct history of a classic model of electronic guitar invented by the legendary Les Paul and which was originally launched in 1952, going on to be favored by grand musicians throughout the last half century. Photographs enhance and illustrate this landmark presentation of the Gibson Les Paul's creation, and its prevalence in every decade to the modern day. A detailed, informative, highly readable and welcome presentation, 50 Years Of The Gibson Les Paul is especially recommended for the legions of Les Paul fans and electric guitar enthusiasts.
Books:
- His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
- History of Japanese Art
- How To Restore Classic Farmall Tractors: The Ultimate Do-it-Yourself Guide to Rebuilding and Restoring
Books Index
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- The Bible of Options Strategies: The Definitive Guide for Practical Trading Strategies
- How to Build Ponds and Waterfalls: The Complete Guide
- All About Oscar: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards
- Building Strategies for College Reading: A Text with Thematic Reader
- Dragons of the Dwarven Depths
- Inside the Not So Big House: Discovering the Details that Bring a Home to Life
- Follies
- Accounting and Financial Management for Residential Construction
- Accounting Foundations: A Complete Course on CD-ROM
- The Essential Clive Barker: Selected Fiction
Guitar
| Instruments & Performers
| Music
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!: The Electric Guitar Owner's Manual (Guitar Player Book)
D.I.Y. Guitar Repair (Compact Reference Library)
The Guitar Amp Handbook: Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds
Make Your Own Electric Guitar
Introduction to Guitar Tone and Effects: A Manual for Getting the Sounds from Electric Guitars, Amplifiers, Effects Pedals and Processors
