The guitar is the most popular and versatile of all musical instruments, lending its humble presence to musical forms and genres from rock, country, and bluegrass to classical, jazz, and blues. In The Ultimate Guitar Book, the guitars on display show an almost infinite range of variations and refinements on one basic theme “a box with a neck,” as the editors put it in the introduction to the acoustic guitar. From 17th century Stradivari to the latest guitar-synthesizer hybrids, it’s all here: instruments famous and rare, antique and novel, including guitars owned or used by notable musical figures from Les Paul to Paul McCartney. The text includes helpful notes on the instruments’ construction, as well as information about legendary designers like Martin, Gibson, and Fender. Whether you are a guitarist, collector, or simply an admirer of exquisite musical craftsmanship, this lovely book is a testament to human ingenuity in search of the perfect sound.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Review of My First Amazon Purchase
The book arrived in good condition.
I only feel that for non-US citizens there should be a way to track the delivery by providing purchasers with a telephone number.
5 Stars The most beautifl guitars’ book
The Ultimate Guitar Book shows the great world of guitars. It is the perfect way to become acquainted with guitars. All the best guitars are show and all have a perfect description.
Only a word … the best
5 Stars Excellent book on all types of guitars!!
Tony Bacon’s book “The Ultimate Guitar Book” goes into detail about acoustic, solidbody and bass guitars and is full of great pictures of all types. The book starts out with a hitory of the guitar from the 16th and 17th centuries and how it developed to it’s current form.
The acoustic guitar section begins with the anatomy of the acoustic guitar and some basic terminology. The chapter progresses through classical guitar builders Antonio De Torres and discusses the styles of classical and flamenco guitar. The Martin guitar company’s guitars are discussed next with a discussion of the various body sizes, inlays and production dates. The chapter continues with D’Angelico, D’Aquisto, Epiphone, Gibson’s archtops and flattops and Ovation guitars. The chapter finishes up with resonators and lap and pedal steels.
The electric section starts with the earlist pioneers of amplified guitars like the Rickenbacker “Frying Pan” and the Les Paul “Log”. The Fender Telecaster, Stratocaster and various Fenders are covered along with Gibsons Les Pauls, Flying V’s, Rickenbackers and various American and European guitars.
This book is a great starting point for reference and research but is only a starting point. There are many other books devoted to single models such as the Les Paul and Stratocaaster that one book could not possibly cover everything. Well worth the price espcially for all of the wonderful pictures.
4 Stars necessery for the guitarists
an excellent book explaining the history of this wonderful instrument.
A more recent version with more space for brands like Taylor, Larrivee and Breedlove (to make some examples) would give a better overview about the market.
5 Stars Fantastic reading, Great pictures
I purchased this book about a week or so ago. I received it quickly and I am very pleased with it. Far more extensive information than i thought it would have. Really terrific pictorial also. Buy this book if you really want to learn about guitars and there makers.
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