Product Details

• Actors: Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, Henry Garza, Gary Hoey, Wes Jeans
• Directors: Guy Hornbuckle
• Format: NTSC, Surround Sound, Widescreen
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Lightning Lab Productions, LLC
• DVD Release Date: April 2, 2008
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001795G3E
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,487 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Starting with their conception and design in the early 1950s, Solidbodies: The 50 Year Guitar War focuses on the five-decade competition of sounds between the two guitars that have been heard on more popular recordings than any other instruments during the rock era. The documentary features players, historians, instrument dealers, and collectors expressing their views on the competitive influences of the Stratocaster and the Les Paul. The soundtrack and performance segments feature guitar solos played on those two instruments with styles of music highly representative of the time periods that are discussed in the documentary.Among those contributing commentary are Joe Bonamassa, named Best Blues Guitarist by Guitar Player magazine's readership in their 2008 Reader's Choice Awards; Derek Trucks, famed slide guitar virtuoso who leads his own group and played with Eric Clapton's band during his 2006-2007 world tour; Henry Garza, guitarist and singer with the Grammy Award winning Los Lonely Boys; Gary Hoey, internationally acclaimed guitarist who has composed for ESPN's Summer X Games; George Gruhn, the owner of Gruhn Guitars who is considered to be one of the world's leading experts on vintage guitars; and Richard R. Smith, the author of Fender: The Sound Heard 'Round The World, which is often viewed as the definitive book about Fender guitars and Leo Fender.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Guitar Film for Everyone, June 17, 2008

By 

Joseph P. Holesworth - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Solidbodies, The 50 Year Guitar War (DVD)

I like the film because in addition to giving some interesting history, it showcases new players too. The Strat and the Les Paul are given equal time. This film is great for guitar players and non guitar players alike. Everyone will come away with things they didn't know previously, yet the film isn't too esoteric. A great orientation for new and younger players, with more than a few interesting points for experienced guitar geeks.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GUITAR WARS, May 10, 2009

By 

Paul R. Williams "Poet & Songwriter" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Solidbodies, The 50 Year Guitar War (DVD)

I had seen this product offered online several months ago and from what the advertisement said, knew that it was something I would like. What really piqued my curiosity was to find that others were interested in just a documentary over the solidbody vs. the hollowbody! I have always loved the music of the guitar- and although this video does not show any songs being played in their entirety, the focus is primarily in the documentary-style! I can appreciate the beauty of the guitar and approve its form as a work of art! If you see the guitar in the light I have presented, then you too, will enjoy this product for what it is: a documentary!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solidboides, the 50 year Guitar War, August 25, 2008

By 

Bill Yarbor (Haubstadt, Indiana) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Solidbodies, The 50 Year Guitar War (DVD)

Outstanding documentary on the history of the two most well known electric guitars in history. The Les Paul from Gibson and the Stratocaster from Fender each have their own dedicated followers and probably none of them will change allegiance but for guitar lovers this is on great story and a great history on how each instrument came to be an icon of American popular culture. Essential viewing for any guitar enthusiast.