Customer Reviews

Guitar Rigs: Classic Guitar and Amp Combinations

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great book, particularly if you are interested in guitar music pre-1980 or so. I can't help but feel, though, as if something is missing from the book, because so many setups that are now considered "classic" are missing. The most obvious oversight is think is the complete lack of coverage of the Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 amplifier, one of the most important guitar amplifiers ever manufactured.

A close second is the omission of any information on Mesa/Boogie amplifiers, whose most "classic" proponent would probably be Carlos Santana. If the combination of a Paul Reed Smith guitar and any Mesa/Boogie amp isn't "classic" by now, it never will be! PRS actually play-tests all their guitars before they ship through a Mesa/Boogie amplifier.

It would also be nice to see some bass guitars and amplifiers in here, say, the Ampeg SVT, Trace Elliot SMX, and others. Ah well, maybe if there's ever a second edition...I'm sure if I thought about for a little longer, I could come up with even more examples that should be included.

I read Hunter's tube amp book and found his style and focus both unique and useful to those of us who are looking for info that is in many cases, difficult to find in a clear, organized format. Guitar tone is something that is more than just amplifiers and pickups so Hunter covers the effects of first, the guitar then the amps. I'm sure that there is some chance that your favorite guitar or amp isn't in here but many seminal ones are. If you really want to examine the subject; this is the best book yet.

This is a fantastic book. Dave Hunter is also a great writer. I personally have always dug the guitar/amp combinations of my favorite bands. If you are a "gearhead" this book is a must. Hunter really does a great job covering different generes of guitar music-surf, blues, british sound, jazz, and a fantastic chapter on garage sound. The CD that accompanies the book is killer in both dynamics and sound-goose bumps!!

This is the fifth Dave Hunter guitar book that I have purchased. The first was his book on tube amplifiers. I was quite impressed by the Tube Amp book; especially his writing style--clear and to the point without requiring an electronical engineering degree. This book on guitar rigs is no different. Dave Hunter took a trip down guitar memory lane and produced "time capsule" chapters on key guitar & amp pairings that seemed to best define the more influential electric guitar genres in recent music history. Probably a much more subjective narrative compared to his more technically related books (tube amps, effects, pick-ups, and electric guitars). I found myself asking why he didn't add certain guitars and/or amps in a few of the genres, but in the end I think he got it right. My favorite chapters dealt with R&B, Country, Jazz, and Chicago Blues but I also found the chapter on American Garage quite interesting; gotta love the Sears & Roebuck Silvetone guitar/amp combos--what a classic sound. Many will be disappointed that PRS, Mesa Boogie, Roland Chorus amps, and others didn't make the cut, but I felt his other guiter books covered those more boutique brands in favorable depth. Most guitarists will find the descriptions of each amp pairing quite informative and will no doubt help them refine/develop the tone they are seaking in their own "six-string & amp" pairing. His CDs never seem to do much for me, but that is not the strength of each of his books. Dave Hunter clearly has a solid grasp on the technical aspects of amp/guitar design, however, he presents his wealth of guitar knowlege in a precise and readible manner. Check out your local magazine stand and you'll find Dave Hunter is a columnist in a few guitar magazines. His information is well researched and he remains current concerning recent industry developments. Highly recommended!

Dave Hunter has written a complex yet very understandable way for readers to get to understand why classic guitar and amp combinations sounded and still sound so good. Dave is a tube man, yet gives very logical explanations why tubes sound better than solid state. I appreciate the fact that Dave Hunter talks about the entire sound chain that effects the tone we hear...from guitar scale length to strings Dave Hunter hits on all the ingredients that make us guitar players shiver when we lock in that great tone.

A very interesting book. It takes you an an interesting journey through the history of this little darling of ours, the electric guitar with accessories.

It is not just a description of the classic guitar/amp combos, but an in-depth explanation of which elements in the sound chain that affects your output sound, and why.

Unfortunately most of the readers have already bought their guitars and amps before reading this book, but remember, there's always place for one more combo in your den.

So I've been buying guitar books lately but this one was mostly an afterthought. Lo and behold the author has done a very good job with this subject! Anyway this isnt a glossy quick read like some of Tony Bacons stuff. If you play electric guitar and like to have books laying about that document its origins and useage, this is a very worthy purchase. Its well written with a balance of facts, opinion, and tidbits from the authors own experience as an electric guitar player. Plus the photos arent 100% retreads of whats already out there. Its a good concept for a book and one that was well executed.

And lastly, any author who in passing refers to Keith Richards as 'Keef' gets a gold star in my book (or in this case 5 orange ones.)

Very informative and well documented book. However, accompanying CD is defective. Due to what seems to me a bad duplication process, a very loud, digital, helicopter-like noise, kicks in after 10 minutes into the program and only gets louder from then. Publisher refused to provide substitution for CD. I'll have to return book and CD to Amazon.

Not much I didn't already know, but I have been playing for over 45 years