Follow in the fretprints of the most influential jazz guitar icons from the last 100 years with this detailed overview of the genre's key players. Written by acclaimed guitar aficionado Wolf Marshall, this exclusive anthology features biographies, gear surveys, guitar licks, historical and stylistic analyses, essential audio and video guides, rare photos, and much more. Featured icons include George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Christian, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Grant Green, Barney Kessel, Pat Martino, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Les Paul, Django Reinhardt, Mike Stern, and other amazing players.
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| List | $19.99 |
The Moderne is an electric guitar designed by Gibson in 1957 alongside the Flying V and Explorer as part of a stylistically advanced line. Sources claim that Gibson made a handful of prototypes, but an original has yet to surface. The Moderne was eventually put into production in 1982. Because of their very limited production and forward design, Modernes are highly sought by collectors. Here is the story, explained in interviews and photos, of this curious development associated with the golden era of guitar making.
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| List | $29.95 |
Chord Master is a chord dictionary with a difference. Rather than just show chord shapes – which are all there in the Chord Matrix – a large portion of the book explains how to use chords, with information about the theory behind them, and attempts to answer the questions guitarists often have about chord shapes. Also, it presents usable groups of chords for beginners in relation to a variety of song styles.
This new, revised edition emphasises the practical and is even more useful to beginners, with expanded exercises and more audio. The multimedia component has roughly doubled the number of tracks and is 30 minutes longer. Some audio examples have a backing track arranged to stress melodic and rhythmic elements so that when the reader puts the chords alongside, the effect is marked, sometimes allowing for re-harmonizing the same music with a different chord progression, or a chord progression played in more than one area of the guitar. The notation of the chord progressions is partly redesigned, making it easier to read. This will also make this part of the book more attractive to the casual browser.
More chord types have been added to Chord Master's Matrix (dictionary) section, with new material about balanced chords (which remove ineffective or unnecessary doublings of notes) and about effective chord voicing. The section about chords from famous songs is expanded with more examples of unusual chords, including ones that players are often curious about – one of the most famous examples is the first chord of “A Hard Day's Night.”
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| List | $24.99 |
Chords are the foundation of almost all of Western music, and the most common function of the guitar is as an accompaniment instrument. But sooner or later, curiosity or necessity leads us to try to understand chords a little better. How are chords put together? How did they get these weird names? Why do some chords sound “good” and some sound “bad”? This book will help you figure it all out! You'll explore: the first steps in chord theory and practice; moveable chord shapes: barre chords and triads; the '5' chord; color notes; extended chords: 9th, 11th, 13th and altered chords; and more. The audio includes demos of the chords discussed in the book. The audio is accessed online using the unique code inside each book and can be streamed or downloaded.
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| List | $29.99 |
Martin guitars are internationally revered, collected and played by performers, singers, songwriters and by legions of avid collectors and enthusiasts. This book features more than a hundred of Martin's most desirable guitars, including instruments belonging to Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Sting and Eric Clapton. Dick Boak enthusiastically outlines his experiences as liaison in these collaborations. We also get a sneak preview of Martin's millionth instrument, due in 2004.
Dick Boak is the head of artist relations and publicity at C.F. Martin & Co., collaborating with artists in the design of their Limited Edition and Signature Models. A prolific artist, luthier and musician in his own right, he is a founder of the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans, and has organized numerous national instrument-making symposiums.
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| List | $40.00 |
The At a Glance series pairs an instructional DVD lesson taught by a professional guitarist with a supplemental book for a comprehensive learning experience. Each book/DVD features several lessons pertaining to one topic, and the hi-def DVD lessons feature on-screen music. The lessons are loaded with valuable tips and information, and popular song examples help to demonstrate the concepts in action.
Bass Fretboard Theory features these lessons: Bass Fretboard Layout, Bass Interval Workout, Scale Construction, Scale Shapes and Groove Boxes for Bass. Songs include: Another One Bites the Dust • Barracuda • California Girls • Gimme Some Lovin' • I Heard It Through the Grapevine • Lady Madonna • Money • Sweet Emotion • Under Pressure • You Really Got Me • and many more!
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| List | $9.99 |
Not only will this book show you how to play the modes, it will also show you the theory behind mode construction, how to play any mode in any key, how to play the proper mode over a given chord progression, and how to write chord progressions for each of the seven modes. The accompanying CD includes two rhythm tracks (drums, bass, keyboard and rhythm guitar) and a short solo for each mode so guitarists can practice their solos with a “real” band!
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| List | $17.95 |
The term “steel guitar” can refer to instruments with multiple tunings, 6 to 14 strings, and even multiple fretboards. To add even more confusion, the term “Hawaiian guitar” refers to an instrument played flat on the lap with a steel bar outside of Hawaii, but in Hawaii, it is the early term for the slack key guitar. Lorene Ruymar clears up the confusion in her new book that takes a look at Hawaiian music; the origin of the steel guitar and its spread throughout the world; Hawaiian playing styles, techniques and tunings; and more. Includes hundreds of photos, a foreword by Jerry Byrd, and a bibliography and suggested reading list.
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| List | $34.95 |
The Cherry Lane Guitar Chord Book presents a comprehensive chord dictionary illustrated with scores of musical examples that demonstrate actual chord usage in various songs and progressions covering a multitude of styles. Covers: open chords, barre chords, jazzy chords, open-tuning chords, chords and progressions for specific styles, and more. A must for every guitarist!
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| List | $9.99 |
Making the Responsive Guitar is the second volume on a two-volume set of books that set out the principles and methods of building fine hand-made guitars. Where Volume 1 sets up the knowledge, this book is about how to build a guitar, from the very first step to the last. MORE»
| List | $140.00 |
Armed with a macro lens, an incredible eye for detail, and a truly groundbreaking vision, Lisa Johnson's guitar art is taking the world of fine art photography on a rock-and-roll ride. A compilation of Johnson's stunningly personal and intimate portraits, 108 Rock Star Guitars features the guitars of rock-and-roll luminaries, including Les Paul, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Nancy Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde, and many others.
Far from still life, Johnson's work conjures the abstract yet also possesses a very sensual and ethereal feel that intentionally illustrates intimate wear-and-tear details. Her unique presentation personifies and captures a musician's true spirit in these musical extensions of the artist's body. This ultra-deluxe, coffee-table photo book reveals through Johnson's signature macrophotography style the etchings, totems, and personal touches of each featured guitar. It is a rare perspective that few people outside of the musicians' stage crew have seen.
Alongside these images, Johnson provides personal anecdotes describing her 17-year journey to photograph these iconic instruments, documenting her travels from the backstage hallways of some the world's most famous concert venues to the artists' private homes. 108 Rock Star Guitars is a music and fine-art photography aficionado's private backstage pass to witness up-close these six-stringed works of art.
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| List | $67.00 |
Most musicians are familiar with the famous Bigsby Vibrato, but not as many know about the wonderful guitars that Paul Bigsby built in the 1940s. Bigsby, who was responsible for developing and refining the pedal steel guitar, also built the first modern solid body electric guitar for Merle Travis in 1948, predating Leo Fender and Gibson's Les Paul by a number of years.
The Story of Paul A. Bigsby tells how Bigsby influenced Fender and Gibson, as well as a number of other guitar manufacturers, in building techniques and design. This deluxe illustrated coffee table book contains over 300 color and black & white photos. Many of these have not previously been published, and over 50 are actual Bigsby instrument photos taken by fine arts photographer Greg Morgan. The book also comes with an audio CD of Paul Bigsby, recorded in the late 1950s, telling stories of his business.
Special Limited Edition of 800 books autographed by Fred Gretsch and packaged in an attractive deluxe box!
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| List | $150.00 |
Guitar Effects Pedals: The Practical Handbook opens up the world of effects pedals, vintage and new alike, for the guitarist. In an easy, guitarist-friendly style, the book explores the history of different effects pedals, what each type of effect does and how it does it, the best ways in which to use and combine your own effects, and how to make the most of the pedals you own. It includes exclusive author interviews with a dozen leading pedal makers and designers, plus a cover-mounted CD with nearly 100 recorded sound samples of effects pedals, both popular and obscure. This updated edition includes the addition of profiles of more than 20 other contemporary makers, 50 percent more manufacturer interviews, and revisions to the original text.
This is the only book on the market that includes all of these important elements in the examination of effects pedals – a comprehensive history of the art; profiles on both vintage and contemporary (including “boutique”) units; and expert advice on all aspects of using these tools. For any serious player interested in honing the perfect tone the right way, this is the go-to reference.
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| List | $34.95 |
34 Useful, Inexpensive Electronic Projects That Help You Unlock Your Instrument's Potential
This unique book features step-by-step projects for guitarists who want to maximize and personalize electric sound quality, and minimize electronic problems. It includes how-to instructions for 34 different projects, and guidelines for reading schematics, plus construction tips. Projects include installing a de-hisser to create vintage effects, a great-sounding tube preamp, a cord tester that catches intermittent problems, adapters to interface with studio gear, and more. These and other hands-on projects give electric guitarists the necessary edge in today's competitive music scene – a distinct personalized sound, plus the satisfaction of knowing they achieved it themselves.
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| List | $24.99 |
