Blue Guitar (Guitar Reference) [Hardcover]

Ken Vose (Author), Leslie Jean-Bart (Photographer), George Benson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998 | Series: Guitar Reference

Shortly before his death in 1995, Jimmy D'Aquisto - then, as now, considered the greatest guitarmaker of all time -- built a lightning blue archtop guitar, the D'Aquisto Centura Deluxe, hailed as a masterpiece for its profound simplicity, sensuous lines, and mythical blue color. That guitar inspired its owner, collector Scott Chinery, to challenge 22 of the world's finest luthiers to create their own interpretation of the Blue Guitar. The result is perhaps the greatest collection of archtop guitars ever made. Blue Guitar captures the unique beauty of this unparalleled collection with gorgeous photographs, a cutting-edge design and layout that echoes the lean sensousness of the guitars, and interviews with the guitarmakers, many of whom have dedicated their lives to finding the place where art, craft, and music converge.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

After acquiring over 1,000 guitars, collector Scott Chinery bought one that refueled his passion for the instrument. It was an 18-inch archtop guitar designed by Jimmy D'Aquisto, a man considered by many guitar aficionados to be the greatest luthier who ever lived. D'Aquisto finished off his creation with a blue sunburst design that inspired its new owner to commission a series of blue guitars because "blue just seemed the perfect color to jolt people out of the old, staid, traditional way of looking at the archtop." Chinery tracked down 22 of the world's finest luthiers, sent them each a bottle of Ultra Blue Penetrating Stain #M 520, and told them to make the archtop guitar of their dreams. The results are as beautiful as they are varied. Bozo Podunavac named his creation, which features an intricate abalone and pearl inlay, the Bozo Chicagoan. Bill Collings created the Collings Custom in his state-of-the-art, climate-controlled workshop in order to ensure the highest sound quality. Linda Manzer, inspired by the intoxicating French liqueur, constructed the Blue Absynthe from ebony and curly maple. A solid history of the evolution of the archtop and anecdotes about guitar making by the featured luthiers help expand readers' appreciation of the craft and are a real treat for guitar lovers.

About the Author

Ken Vose is a former race driver and respected automotive writer and the author of two novels about Formula One racing. His most recent nonfiction book is Blue Guitar (0-8118-1912- 4). He lives in New York City and northeastern Pennsylvania.

Leslie Jean-Bart is a New York City-based freelance photographer who shoots for Sotheby's, BMW, and other clients specializing in objects of desire.

George Benson is a jazz guitarist, vocalist, and composer. He lives in New Jersey.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 132 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811819124
• ISBN-13: 978-0811819121
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #992,778 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Blue Guitar", by Ken Vose, June 7, 2001

By 

"bengard" (The United States of America) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Guitar (Guitar Reference) (Hardcover)

The book is an execellent reference to anyone interested in the making of guitars, and to know who presently, are among the "elite of luthiers".

Scott Chinnery, an avid collector of guitars, was instrumental in re-igniting a passion for the revival of the arch top, semi-acoustic guitar. It was Chinnery, that approached twenty two of the finest luthiers, and inspired them to the task of creating an eighteen inche (wide) semi-acoustic guitar. Chinnery also requested the guitars be made "blue" - all luthiers used the same color, yet were free to formulate and apply the color as they indivudally desired. The results and finding of this work becomes the topic of the book.

The text presents a challenge to continue the work initiated by these craftpersons. It is "inspirational", and very informative.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the Best of the Blues, May 28, 2000

By 

doug stern - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Guitar (Guitar Reference) (Hardcover)

What does the ultimate blue archtop guitar look like? 22 master craftsmen were posed with this challenge: "make an 18 inch wide acoustic archtop guitar...make it any way you want, as long as you make it blue."

A virtual competition ensues as the top 'luthiers' get down to business creating their personal vision of the finest blue archtop. Scott Chinery, a collector of fine guitars had amassed a collection numbering over a thousand pieces when he had the notion to commission the best craftsman to make a blue archtop. You don't even have to love guitars to appreciate the wonderfully varied interpretations that came about as a result. The pride of craftsmanship shines through on each and every meticulously crafted piece. This is a handsome book richly filled with photographs of these masterpieces in blue, and the talented men and women behind them. This book is a gem for the price.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitars from the top shelf, August 3, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Guitar (Guitar Reference) (Hardcover)

Blue Guitar is a sweet tribute to Jimmy D'Aquisto as a guitar maker and to Scott Chinery as a collector of fine instruments. The impeccable workmanship of the instruments in this book is a small oasis of patience and craftsmanship in a fast-food culture. It provides an insight into the type of people that create these wonderful pieces, as well as the zeal of one person whose passion was acquiring the best of examples of this art form. You don't have to be a guitar junkie to enjoy this book. It's fun to read and real easy to look at.