The
Electric Guitar: A History of an American Icons - CSince
the guitar was first electrified in the 1930s, it has become
an American icon and has transformed the soundtrack of our
lives with its wide range of sounds—from seductive twang
to howling distortion. Relatively inexpensive, easy to learn,
and fun to play, the electric guitar is a truly democratic
instrument. Millions have purchased Rickenbackers, Gibsons,
Fenders, and other brands
of guitars over the decades,
fueling daydreams of fame and fortune. In The Electric Guitar:
A History of an American Icon, scholars working in American
studies, business history, the history of technology, and
musicology come together to explore the electric guitar's
importance as an invention and its peculiar place in American
culture. Documenting the critical and ever-evolving relationship
among inventors, craftsmen, musicians, businessmen, music
writers, and fans, the contributors look at the guitar not
just as an instrument, but as a mass-produced consumer good
that changed the sound of popular music and the self image
of musicians. Avoiding the familiar stories, The Electric
Guitar covers the careers and influence of guitar heroes such
as Buddy Holly and Jimi Hendrix, but it also looks at lesser
known but equally influential guitarists, such as Sister Rosetta
Tharpe and Ike Turner. It also explains the importance of
record producers such as Lee Hazlewood, effects pioneers like
Roger Mayer, and electronics engineers such as Jim Marshall—all
of whom played vital parts in constructing the sounds we associate
with the electric guitar. From inventor's workbench to factory
floor to recording studio, André Millard and his colleagues
trace the development of the instrument, its use across musical
genres, and its profound impact on popular culture and American
identity.
Guitars
- Celebrate the world’s most seductive instrument. An
obsessive, full-color book —guitars delivers
a feast of 500 guitars in vibrant color, plus players,
makers, legends, myths, and more. Here are guitars that made
history, that changed the course of music, that inspired new
generations of players and listeners. Here are milestones
in the guitar's search for its true self—Torres's classical,
the amazing Gibson L-5—and experiments that ushered
in a new world of sound—Rickenbacker's "Frying
Pan" and Les Paul's "Log." Plus B. B. King's
Lucille, Willie Nelson's Trigger, Eric Clapton's Brownie,
the J-160E that John Lennon played during his 1968 "bed-in"
with Yoko, Jimi Hendrix's hand-painted Flying V in full psychedelic
regalia. And the far-out Gittler—no body, no neck, no
peghead, yet every inch a guitar. Also here are profiles of
famous builders, including C. F. Martin, Orville Gibson, Leo
Fender—the Henry Ford of guitars—and the mad genius
Lloyd Loar. And individual luthiers, like Linda Manzer (her
Pikasso II has 42 tunable strings), the maverick Ken Parker,
and old-world artisan John D'Angelico, staring at skyscrapers
from his Lower East Side shop and creating the ultimate art
deco masterpiece, "The New Yorker." Marrying visual
pleasure with layers of information, Guitars captures the
soul, the significance, history, magic, and the raw mojo of
this most beloved of instruments.
Hand
Made, Hand Played: The Art & Craft of Contemporary Guitars
- Feast your eyes on more than 300 of today’s most
creative, imaginative, and gorgeous hand-made guitars—all
illustrated in full color and featuring information about
the innovative artisans who created them. Meet guitar-making
legends, such as C.F. Martin, Les Paul, and Leo Fender, who
revolutionized the instrument’s design. Discover why
the past 25 years have seen an explosion of craftspeople who
build guitars by hand, employing an attention to detail factories
can’t afford and using higher quality materials and
more technical skill than in any previous era. Explore the
various guitar styles used in a range of musical traditions,
from blues to classical. Detailed information about each guitar’s
specifications, plus personal statements and anecdotes from
the artisans about their work and techniques complete each
entry. Rounding out the book is a Web directory and an index
of luthiers. Players, craftspeople, collectors, and those
who are simply fans of this popular instrument will find this
volume irresistible!
Warman's
Vintage Guitars Field Guide: Values and Identification
- With generations of talented and intense guitarists honored
for their talents, it's no wonder the same models of guitars
they use are hot tickets in today's collectibles market. Warman's
Vintage Guitars Field Guide pulls together history, tips for
collectors, lessons in guitar lingo, contact information and
350 photos of the leading guitars of the last 100 years
in this unique and enjoyable guide.Collectors will gain greater
appreciation of the craftsmanship and style that is synonymous
with guitars in this full-color book that includes some of
Eric Clapton's personal collection that fetched top dollar
at auction. Particulars and current prices for guitars including
Gibson, Fender, Stratocaster, Martin, Silvertone and Epiphone
are covered in this unique resource. -350 stunning color
photos of guitars and amplifiers help to inspire and educate
-History of the leading guitars manufactured between the 1940s
and 1980s offers insight to buyers -Contains the latest market
values.
