Gibson Electrics [Paperback]

A.R. Duchossoir (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1983

Here's the first book ever to present a complete and illustrated history of all guitars ever produced by one of the world's most prestigious musical instrument manufacturers. All information is based on Gibson's own documents and literature. Covers: * The different stages of evolution of the electric guitar, with detailed specifications of all models introduced up to 1961 * Comprehensive information on serial numbers and production shipping totals * The players who helped build the reputation of Gibson Electrics over the years * Over 200 illustrations - 32 pages in full color * Beautiful perfect-bound edition makes a natural bookshelf item for music libraries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (November 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881882690
• ISBN-13: 978-0881882698
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,149,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Incomplete, November 4, 1999

By 

James M. Prokes (SF Bay area) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gibson Electrics (Paperback)

I am bothered by the claim on the cover stating "... a COMPLETE and illustrated history of ALL the electric guitars ever manufactured by Gibson Inc."

Although the first edition is copywrited in 1981, it fails to mention anything about the SG production models (excluding unrelated Les Paul versions)produced from the early '60's or lesser known models like the solid body 335-S (not to be confused with the ES-335)produced in the Norlin years (very early '80's).

There is a great deal of information on the the early acoustic/electrics, the Les Pauls and the ES series instruments which makes it valuable, but it can hardly be called complete.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Get The New Edition, January 15, 2003

By 

Brian W Robinson (Newburyport, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gibson Electrics (Paperback)

I have no idea why this edition of Duchossoir's work is still in print. His update to this book is "Gibson Electrics - The Classic Years." "Classic Years" is a much better book with much more information. It's better organized and it has much more in the way of B&W and color photos. It's an excellent resource.

This 1981 volume is a good piece of work, but it's incomplete. Duchossoir originally conceived of a two volume work covering the history of every Gibson electric model from the first lap steel guitars that Gibson produced in the early 1930s through the "Norlin" era (Gibson was still owned by Norlin when this book came out). He ran out of steam after finishing this volume and Volume II never came out. The updated book is MUCH better and you should spend your dollars on that book rather than this one.

If you are a die hard guitar enthusiast/collector you will find this book helpful and it does cover some areas and have some good photos of hard to find instruments that are not included in the updated "Classic Years" book so it's not a bad idea to grab both books if you're a died in the wool Gibson nut (like I am). If you're a casual reader/collector get the newer edition.