At first the guitars were cheap and basic, and in the 1970s Ibanez was best known for its copies of leading Gibson instruments, including Les Pauls, SGs, and Explorers. Ibanez is the most important Japanese guitar brand, this book tells the story of its electric guitars, tracking the fortunes of this impressive brand.
Gibson's Les Paul solid body electric guitar first appeared in the early 1950s. An update of "50 Years Of The Gibson Les Paul" (2002), this edition features a complete history of the guitar and its players - from the original Goldtop, through the Fretless Wonder to the revered 1958-60 'Burst' onwards.
The Story of the Guitars, the Music, and the Great Players
Rickenbacker is the guitar maker who brought the electric 12-string to market and has been responsible for the idea of what such a guitar should do. This book tells the story of those heady days in the 60s, of the competitors who tried and failed to match the sound, and of the instrument's production by Rickenbacker and use by modern guitarists.
Beginning in New York City in the 1830s with the arrival of Christian Martin, from Germany, to set up the Martin company, this book takes readers on a comprehensive visual tour of US guitar history. It presents over 75 brand names, with more than 300 guitars photographed, including Bigsby, Danelectro, D'Angelico, D'Aquisto, Ditson, and many more.
Flying V, Explorer, Firebird - an Odd-Shaped History of Gibson's Weird E
Until the launch of the Flying V and Explorer in 1958, electric guitars were supposed to look like guitars. Suddenly, Gibson turned conventional design upside down, almost literally, by using straight lines and angular body shapes, changing the way electrics could look. This title tells the story of those first peculiar instruments.
The Stratocaster Guitar Book - A Complete History of Fender Stratocaster
Leo Fender's company changed the course of popular music in 1954 when they introduced the Stratocaster. Since then it has been played by everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck. This book featuers interviews with important Strat players that illustrate the Strat's versatility, playability and continuing importance.
Breaking down the individual components of the electric guitar rig, this book examines the ingredients in any given piece of equipment that contribute to superior or inferior sound, and offers tips to improving and making the most of the gear you've already got - with reference to quotations from name artists and manufacturers.
The SG Guitar Book is three great volumes in one package: a collection of drool-worthy pictures of the coolest guitars; a gripping story from the earliest prototypes to the latest exploits; and a detailed collectors database of every production SG model ever made.
