Acoustic Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Dave Hunter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2006

Despite changes in music over the years, the acoustic guitar remains the most popular musical instrument in the world. Now fans can celebrate the acoustic guitar in the most comprehensive guide ever produced, covering decades of great instruments and the people who played them, in this new paperback edition of the best-selling hardcover volume!

• The acoustic guitar has been around for centuries and has survived amplifiers, electric guitars, synthesizers — and even PeteTownshend of The Who.

• Virtually every maker and every brand of guitar — from Alvarez to Zemaitis — appears in the all-embracing Acoustic Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia.

• This edition includes more than 1,200 photographs, memorabilia, and lots of vintage and contemporary ads featuring the likes of Bill Haley for Gibson and Slash for Guild.

• Additionally featured is an astonishing library of some of the greatest axe players of all time! Check out Elvis Presley and Eric Clapton with their Martins, The Beatles and Johnny Cash with their Gibsons, and Mark Knopflet with his National.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dave Hunter was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and now makes his home in England, where he is a professional journalist and musician. He is the former editor of The Guitar Magazine. For the past 3 years he has been a recent research contributor and commentator for several television and radio programs on the guitar.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thunder Bay Press (October 17, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592236766
• ISBN-13: 978-1592236763
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,790,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dave Hunter is a leading guitar writer and a musician. His books include Totally Guitar, Guitar effects Pedals and Guitar Rigs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous illustrated history of acoustic guitars, May 8, 2009

By 

Richard Sanders (So. California Desert) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Acoustic Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

If you love acoustic guitars, you'll love this book. I pored over it hour after enjoyable hour. And used it to design my own "vintage-style" custom guitar made by luthier Jim Worland. All the great makers are here, as well as a number of obscure ones (nearly 150 in all). Contains literally hundreds of beautiful photos, showing numerous models from the late 1800s right up to the present day, plus photos of famous artists who played them. Interesting short history of each maker, including little known facts. Just a great reference work. Dave Hunter and his staff of 10 "contributing editors" have done a fabulous job here. There is only one problem with buying this book -- it'll make you want to buy more guitars!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous full-page and large-sized color photos throughout pack an illustrated encyclopedia, February 5, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acoustic Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Paperback)

Gorgeous full-page and large-sized color photos throughout pack an illustrated encyclopedia of acoustic guitars which surveys the history, changing styles, and evolution of both acoustic guitars and playing methods. Here is a book any music history library will want: its oversized presentation allows for some lovely displays, its chapters organized by guitar maker encourages audiences to browse by specialty, and its lively interviews with major guitar players and makers alike are both fun and informative.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Find, September 7, 2009

By 

Robert Joyner "acoutics player" (Blakeslee, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acoustic Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

This is a must own book for Acoustic Guitar fans. It provide an extensive history of the acoustic guitar makers and a brief history of some of its well know artist. My used book arrive in excellent condition and could not be more satisfied.