Books

Great reading selections for the Archtop enthusiast!

	The Gibson Super 400 - Art of the Fine Guitar Thomas A. Van Hoose The end-all bible of the Super 400. Everything from it's history, shipping totals, Dr. Van Hoose's own rarity index (derived from comparing an individual model's production to the entire production for every year of Super 400 production) and loaded with photographs.
	The Gibson L5 - It's History and It's Players Adrian Ingram Not as thick or involved a book as the one listed above, it is an obvious companion as the history of the L5 often overlaps that of it's larger sibling.
	Making an Archtop Guitar Robert Benedetto The definitive work on the design and construction of an acoustic archtop guitar by one of the most respected luthiers of the twentieth century. It includes a list of suppliers to acquire all the tools and materials listed and fold-out templates for construction.
	Acquired of the Angels: The Lives and Works of Master Guitar Makers John D'Angelico and James L. D'Aquisto Paul William Schmidt, Jonathan Kellerman This book documents the lives two most prominent guitar makers of the 20th century, John D'Angelico and James L. D'Aquisto. It explores their lives and craftsmanship and features many rare and beautiful photographs.
	Blue Guitar Ken Vose Scott Chinery tracked down 22 of the world's finest luthiers, sent them each a bottle of Ultra Blue Penetrating Stain #M 520, and told them to make the archtop guitar of their dreams. The results are as beautiful as they are varied.
	Sideman - The Autobiography of Billy Bauer as told to Thea Luba A fascinating insight into the life of one of the great classic jazz guitarists. Billy Bauer played with Woody Herman, Lennie Tristano, Benny Goodman, and many others, and has documented his experiences both as a player and as an instructor in this book that, until his passing on June 17, 2005, could be ordered directly from this self proclaimed "sideman".
	Tal Farlow Guy Littler-Jones This book discusses Tal's life and music from his early years, through his mid career when he was most noted for his lightning speed of execution, and into his later years when his playing entered a more lyrical phase. It includes several previously unpublished photographs and a comprehensive discography.
	Kiss and Tell : Autobiography of a Traveling Musician Martin Taylor and David Mead Martin Taylor's autobiographical road diary. Lot's of great stories ranging from his childhood in England to his decade spent playing with Stephane Grappelli. Not only is Taylor an extremely talented guitarist (think Joe Pass) but also a role model I found very inspirational.
	Bucky Pizzarelli - A Life in Music Terence M. Ripmaster For more than half a century, John "Bucky" Pizzarelli has been a part of the fraternity of musicians who have kept mainstream and traditional jazz alive. The lists of big bands and vocalists with whom Bucky has performed and recorded reads like a veritable Who's Who of Jazz. This 208 page book offers a brief history of the jazz guitar, a generous dose of biographical information about Bucky, plus short sketches of dozens of other jazz stars of his era. Bucky's life story is told here largely through the eyes of his many illustrious associates.
	One Long Tune: The Life And Music of Lenny Breau Ron Forbes-Roberts "Mr. Guitar" Chet Atkins called Lenny Breau (1941-1984) "the greatest guitarist who ever walked the face of the earth." Breau began playing the instrument at age seven, and went on to master many styles, especially jazz. Between 1968 and 1983 he made a series of recordings that are among the most influential guitar albums of the century. Sadly, Lenny's career never took full flight as he spent his life fighting drug and alcohol dependency.
	Wes Montgomery Adrian Ingram Wes Montgomery was unquestionably the most significant jazz guitarist to emerge during the 1960s. During the '70s and '80s he had, like Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt before him, become a major influence on other guitar players. Elements of his style are discernable in many of today's finest players. Through this book, guitarists and jazz guitar enthusiasts everywhere will fully understand and appreciate Wes's achievements, so often narrowly categorized as the development of octave playing.
	Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars : An Identification Guide for American Fretted Instruments (2nd Ed) George Gruhn, Walter Carter George Gruhn and Walter Carter have created a useful resource for any lover of fine guitars, banjos, or basses. Though not a price guide, the book will enable collectors to identify the date, stock ingredients, wood, and evolution of their guitar(s).
	Gibson Shipping Totals - 1937-1979 Larry Meiners This 64-page book covers all Gibson instruments.
	The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide, 2007 Edition by Alan Greenwood, Gil Hembree Expanding in '07 to more than 500 pages and including information on more than 1,400 brands illustrated by more than 1,000 photos, The Guide is the only such work to cover everything in one very affordable volume!
Some additional reading: Gibson Electrics - The Classic Years by A.R. Duchossoir 50 Years of Gretsch Electrics: Half a Century of White Falcons, Gents, Jets, and Other Great Guitars by Tony Bacon Gretsch: The Guitars of the Fred Gretsch Co. by Jay Scott Normans Rare Guitars: 30 Years of Buying Selling & Collecting by David Swartz & Norman Harris Vintage Electric Guitars - In Praise of Fretted Americana By William G. Moseley & Jeff Carlisi Gibson Guitars - 100 Years of an American Icon by Walter Carter Django Reinhardt and the Illustrated History of Gypsy Jazz by Michael Dregni & Alain Antonietto Chet Atkins: Me and My Guitars by Russ Cochran & Chet Atkins Epiphone: The House of Stathopoulo by Jim Fisch, L. B. Fred