Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers, Second Edition (Paperback)

~ Zachary R. Fjestad (Author), S. P. Fjestad (Editor)
Key Phrases: bad cat, rat fink, top boost, Trademark Index, Courtesy Dave Rogers, Blue Book Publications (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The new Blue Book of Guitars Amplifiers Second Edition has been expanded to 400 pages, and features complete listings of most popular new and vintage guitar amplifiers. Finally, you can get the detailed information and up-to-date pricing on both new and vintage models, including thorough coverage on such famous trademarks as Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa-Boogie, Ampeg, and many others. With over 600 high quality digital B&W images also assisting the consumer in identifying the various makes and models, this new book also has condition factors broken down into Excellent and Average categories. As in other Blue Book Publications, Inc.'s books, a color Photo Grading System also provides the consumer with visual grading information and other important identification tips. Unique within the music industry, this is the only publication that covers guitar amplifiers with this much detail. Not only do most amps have model descriptions, but also included is such technical information as tube type(s), period of manufacture, speaker sizes, options, loud speaker specifications, and even weight, whenever possible.

About the Author

Zachary Fjestad is a notorious amp hound and the nephew of noted Author & Publisher S.P. Fjestad, whose titles include the Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars and the Blue Book of Electric Guitars. This is his first book. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Blue Book Publications; 2 edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886768420
• ISBN-13: 978-1886768420
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,422,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Useful? Yes. Essential? Yes. Readable? NO. They need an editor..., December 9, 2008

By	J. Sliff "Silverface" (Hermosa Beach CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The 3rd Edition Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers (Paperback)

The Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers is unfortunately a singular publication of its type. For the vintage amp fan it has good information yet wildly inconsistent values (probably due in part to their lumping of many, many distinct types of amp models into multiple-decade age groups and a grading system that is...well, irrelevant would be the only thing that comes to mind, since it lacks so much detail). It is both a fascinating and completely maddening volume. There are amps included that even the most dedicated tube-hound can find little information on elsewhere, yet strange omissions of fairly common ones (as mentioned in other reviews). The worst thing about this book is that while it's pretty much essential if you are an amp collector, reading it will drive you bats unless you're a teacher of English as a Second Language. The grammar is so pitiful it'd be funny...if the book didn't cost so much. These guys need an editor in the worst way, and I know at least a dozen tube amp techs/collectors/players who would VOLUNTEER their time to make this thing readable. Simple things like "...the use of negative feedback was used." make you blink twice..."did I REALLY read that?". "...prices can be generally between the $75 and $200 range.""...and technology that no one really knew how to use them.". In addition to the "F" in English 101, the writers managed to use (most notably in the first edition) a weird assortment of fonts with absolutely no consistency. How hard would it be to use ONE font? Well, apparently about as hard as it is to write in clear language. The last annoyance - they continually inject little "review" comments about how great...or mediocre...a particular model is, yet make no comments about most amps. One wonders, based on the fonts, language, lame, spotty "reviews" and such, how much material was actually written and how much was...ahem..."borrowed"...from other sources? It's just sad that such an essential book appears to be written by fourth-graders; well, that's a reach and an insult to fourth graders everywhere. All I can say is, buy it because you need it - but do NOT plan on reading it for pleasure without a large bottle of headache medicine close at hand.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on amps, October 23, 2008

By	J. A. Wouters (Zoeterwoude Netherlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The 3rd Edition Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers (Paperback)

A must have for not only the ampoholics. There is a world of great amps on the other end of your guitar line. Get to know it!! Even if you're not interested in todays value of your own amp(s), you'll get a over 3" thick overview of all kinds of guitar amplification. It's on my coffee table and I suspect visitors not to come for me but just for the book. Great value for money!

2.0 out of 5 stars Where's my stuff?, April 26, 2008

By	Steven G. Rhea "SD Woody" (El Cajon, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The 3rd Edition Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers (Paperback)

Though this book looks nice, and has lots of pictures, seems to be dud in my case. It does not list the one amp that I was hoping to find...a Pignose Crossmix 150R. This is a vintage amp designed by Paul Rivera in 1980 or so. It's not even mentioned.

Other than that, the book is okay I guess. The layout is a little confusing to work through, but eventually you can find most things you are looking for. It might be helpful to me one day. But for now, it's probably going to be a coffee table book.