How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great (Softcover) (Guitar Player Book) [Paperback]

Dan Erlewine (Author)

Book Description

Series: Guitar Player Book | Publication Date: January 1, 2001

From shopping for a first electric guitar to setting customized action, this do-it-yourself playerÕs primer for owning and maintaining an electric guitar explains the ins and outs of: choosing the right guitar; cleaning, tools and basic maintenance; personalizing and improving on a "factory setup"; trouble-shooting; basic guitar electronics; setups of the pros; and much more. Written by Dan Erlewine, author of the bestselling Guitar Player Repair Guide and the popular "Repairs" column in Guitar Player magazine, this book also includes a plastic sheet with specialized guitar tools you can snap-out!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What tomorrowÂ’s great guitarists should know today about doing their own setup and maintenance." --Tom Wheeler, consulting editor, Guitar Player

About the Author

Dan Erlewine began playing guitars--and tearing them apart--in 1960, and never stopped. Now a leading guitar builder and repairman, DanÂ’s creations include Albert KingÂ’s famous inlaid "Flying V" guitar, and a custom model for Jerry Garcia. He has also built and repaired guitars for Luther Allison, Mike Bloomfield, Ted Nugent, and other top artists. Dan is the worldÂ’s best-known educator on guitar repair. His instructional videotapes, first released in 1984, still lead the field. A Guitar Player columnist since 1985, Dan currently specializes in new product development for Stewart-MacDonaldÂ’s Guitar Shop Supply in Athens, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306017
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306014
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Reference

More About the Author

Dan Erlewine wrote the chapter on structural issues and repairs. He is a guitar repairman, tool designer, author, and producer of instructional videos. He is also a guitarist with a lifelong love of Gibsons.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant favorite, August 3, 2001

By 

Paul West (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great (Softcover) (Guitar Player Book) (Paperback)

I cannot say enough good comments about this book without sounding like I'm being paid. The realiy is this book was my instant favorite. I read it once and could not put it down. I read it a second time with my highlighter in hand. Now, I have an official working copy. I bought this book in HI on my honeymoon without a guitar in sight. When I returned home, I tore into every one of my guitars (easiest first). Guess what? Now, they all play A++. I called a few friends and gave them some advice. I should have waited on the advice and bought them a copy of the book for Christmas. You will feel enlightened after reading this book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, January 15, 2004

By 

A. Sanks (San Mateo, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great (Softcover) (Guitar Player Book) (Paperback)

This is a great book to learn how to properly setup your guitar. I've only been playing for a couple months, but after installing some strings that claimed to be 9s (but I don't think were) and having them yank my bridge about 3/4" out of the body of the guitar I figured I oughta learn how to properly deal with that (other than just switching strings...)

The book takes you through many common problems, fixes, and general setup/maintenance for Strats and Les Pauls (as well as their clones and various other rarer guitars).

Much of the book is a narative form, describing particular tough setups for various guitars. Some have complained about this, but I've found there's enough info in there to find what you want. Plus there are more step-by-step setup instructions towards the end.

The book got my bridge fixed up nicely, as well as my action set more properly, so the guitar's easier to play and sounds better as well.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Guitar Repair Book - Hands Down!, February 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great (Softcover) (Guitar Player Book) (Paperback)

Just when you thought there couldn't be a better guitar player's repair manuel than the 'Guitar Player Repair Guide', Dan Erlewine publishes 'How to Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great'. Dan has really outdone himself with this one. This book is filled with great info, such as setups, repairs and modifications. As if that's not enough, there's a set a handy dandy radius gauges cleverly attached to the back. I recommend this book for anyone from beginners setting up their first guitar - to seasoned pros. If you own a guitar, this one's a must have!

Also recommended: Guitar Player Repair Guide