(Guitar Reference). Until the launch of the Flying V and Explorer in 1958, electric guitars were supposed to look like...guitars. Suddenly, Gibson turned conventional design upside down, almost literally, by using straight lines and angular body shapes, changing the way electrics could look and, in the process, creating a set of rare future collectables. Flying V, Explorer, Firebird tells the story of those first peculiar instruments and goes on to describe Gibson's second attempt at nonstandard designs with the Firebird of the early '60s. The book shows how most of these were a commercial failure at first and goes on to detail the influence of the designs on guitar-makers such as Hamer, Jackson, Dean, Ibanez, and BC Rich, all of whom embraced Gibson's original weird-is-good design ethic. In parallel with the story of the makers is an absorbing account of the players who discovered these odd-shaped instruments, including Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), the Edge (U2), and Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick). Interviews with players and makers illuminate the story of this fascinating assortment of electric guitar innovations, alongside specially commissioned images of every key model and brand and an enviable collection of guitar memorabilia, plus a gallery of leading guitarists photographed in action with their instruments. If it's weird and has strings, it's in Flying V, Explorer, Firebird .

A collectively authored work, although Carter, one of the contributors, is inexplicably given full credit for authorship on the title page and in the jacket copy and CIP (perhaps he's the editor). The history of Gibson guitars and the famous people who have played them is documented with abundant photos accompanied by explanatory text and captions. A splashy, flashy-looking book for the guitar and rock music enthusiast; over-exuberant page design makes for poor readability in some sections (e.g. text on top of not-quite-faded- enough maps). Published by General Publishing Group, 3100 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A BEHIND-THE-SCENES ACCOUNT OF AMERICA'S CRITICAL EFFORT TO BUILD AN AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL ARMY DISCOVER: - WHY THE U.S. IS BUILDING AN AFGHANISTAN NATIONAL ARMY - WHY AMERICAN TROOPS CAN'T LEAVE AFGHANISTAN YET - HOW YOUR TAX MONEY IS BEING SPENT Written from the unique vantage point of the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, this book reveals the inside story of the United States' army-building efforts. As the first comptroller responsible for funding the Afghanistan National Army, Mick earned the Bronze Star Medal while spending $400 million taxpayer dollars and planning the spending for $2.1 billion more. Mick has appeared on: - National Public Radio - CNN International - Armed Forces News

In 1952 the first Gibson Les Paul solidbody electric guitar was made and 2002 will be the 50th anniversary of its creation. This book is a chronicle of the entire range of Gibson Les Paul guitars, the stories surrounding their creation and the artists (such as Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton) who played them. Made by the Gibson company, the Les Paul was the result of a collaboration with brilliant guitarist Les Paul, one half of the famous Les Paul and Mary Ford Duo. Every model is described and its different specifications unravelled, with colour photographs that reveal the complexity and beauty of these important guitars over the last 50 years.

Paperback Original w/French flaps

THE TAYLOR GUITAR BOOK: 40 YEARS OF GREAT AMERICAN FLATTOPS

In this captivating guide to the greatest electric guitars of all time, guitar expert Neville Marten selects the most seminal instruments, from Ampeg to Zemaitis, and reveals why each is musically and historically significant. Each guitar is presented with beautiful, evocative images and shown in the hands of an iconic musician to illustrate how, through combining the skill of the player and the instrument maker, an inanimate object of wood and metal can be transformed into one of the world's most expressive tools of communication. The instruments showcased in Guitar Heaven have left an indelible impression on popular music, both in terms of sound and visual impact. This fascinating gallery shows the instrument not as the two-dimensional object so often depicted in most guitar books, but as a vibrant, epoch-changing icon of the twentieth century—and into the future.

Fender's guitars have long been the instruments of choice for artists such as Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This book tells the complete story of Fender guitars, detailing classics such as the Telecaster, Stratocaster, and Jazzmaster as well as lesser-known (and less successful) models. Dozens of photos reveal Fender's storied craftsmanship, while the text includes collector details for all models. The reference section lists all models and their statistics.

(Guitar). 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.

THE GIBSON 335 BOOK: ELECTRIC THINLINES AND THE PLAYERS WHO MADE THEM FAMOUS