Customer Reviews

Totally Guitar: The Definitive Guide

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like countless others, when I was younger, I fancied myself as a guitarist. So, when I saw this gem a few years ago, I couldn't resist.

There's sections with music o how--or what--to play according to various styles, pieces on instrument maintenance. But frankly what mesmerized me was the whole "catalog," as someone else called it, of electric guitars.

I wondered why I hadn't seen a Mosrite for so long. The book explains why (I won't give anything away.) There's pictures of my old Guild, and my old Epiphone. My God, the book stimulates memories.

Perhaps the highlight of the book is it's illustrations. Like I said, there's pics of countless models...even of some of my favorite Vox guitars (which went out of business in the late 1960s). There's ads from various music magazines promoting such and such a brand with the pic of a celebrity--maybe Jimmy Page, or someone else--playing that instrument. There's a little history of the company.

Since I just finished a book on Eric Clapton, I wanted to look up the Kay which was the guitar that Clapton played just before he hit the big time. Sure enough, there is was.

There's even some descriptions as to how a model got it's model number (e.g., I think CES is cutaway, electric, Spanish, from one brand I'll let you look up yourself.)

Be forewarned, though, the book's subject is ELECTRIC guitars. So if you're after accoustics, you'll have to look elsewhere.

In the meantime, enjoy this one, and wallow in the memories.

When I got this book I was amazed at how huge it was. It's heavy too. In fact I'm not sure it would be safe to put this on a music stand, it could injure someone. The content is like having a couple years worth of Guitar Player magazine columns in one big book. Covers over a dozen styles in their individual chapters with some representative licks. Also lots of guitar maintenance stuff, tho I just don't see how a book of this bulk could work in a workshop environment.

So the book is pretty great, the only BIG problem I have is that 300 pages of this book is a reprint of Tony's previous book, "Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia". And I had just bought that book 2 weeks before. So if you have THAT book already, then you are getting just 297 pages of new material in a book that's 3x as heavy as that one (this one is hardcover).

If that factoid was mentioned in the review than I guess it's my own fault, but either way it bears repeating. Of course if you don't have the previous book than this is great. The colors are a bit richer than the previous book, too. But I probably would have skipped this if I had known the above.

I'm glad I checked the contents of this book. Otherwise I would have been mighty surprised to find that half of it is a guitar catalog. If that's what you're loking for then buy it. You'll get half a good book about the IMPORTANT stuff you should know along with your catalog. This is not a 600 page book about how to play, how to maintain, repair... your guitar. Otherwise it's fine. I like Tony Bacon's books - I have many of them.

I just received this book as a Christmas gift. I am completely blown away by it!

This book has everything you need to know regarding guitars. The history, the many different important players, how to care for your instrument, a listing and pictures of pretty much every guitar, major manufacturer, and every model made, a listing of chords, scales, modes, etc. It's simply amazing! It just goes on and on! This is the book you want if you enjoy the guitar. Consider it an encyclopedia of guitar. Because I am sure that you will be referencing it as if it actually was one.

But be warned, when I say this book is huge I mean it literally. It is a physically large and heavy book. You better have some space on your bookshelf for it. Otherwise it's going to have to live on the coffee table like my copy!

I love guitars and this is the perfect book for me. I can sit and see the beautiful pictures of guitars (on beautiful paper by the way)and read the in depth information on so many topics to do with guitars. I was reading about the different sounds made by the different woods last night. It has the history of the guitar presented in such a way that for once I didn't have to fight off sleep. I'm just into it, and already I am so pleased. Not a wasted cent.

Lots of usefull information...I've just been jumping to the sections that peaks my interest and get my attention. But, when I have the time for it, I'm going to go through this book in details...I can use it.
Thanks Dave, and Tony for such a well put together book.

Packed with info from tuning, instrument care, details & pictures about many manufacturers & artists, scales & too much to list!A great find for an enthusiast and musician. Also makes a good coffee table book. It's huge and has many cool things in it.

Very broad range of topics. Not too in depth so if that's what you ar looking for you might be disappointed. I was looking for a large overview of nearly everything, and that's what I got.

Glad I bought it!

This is pretty much one-stop shopping for the guitar junkie -- just buy it now and save yourself a lot of money....

This is a great book...voluminous. Easy to follow visuals. Great depth in a variety of styles.