Essential guitar books

AlanRatcliffe

Ahh. Obviously a subject close to my heart. I could list a hundred books that are essential for me, but I know not everyone is interested in titles like How to Improve the Resonance Conditions of Musical Instruments by Vibration Dedamping like I am ?

Here's a few to go on:

The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer - This is a little bit dated now and doesn't cover newer innovations from the last 15 years, but it has so much information on everything to do with guitar, that if you only have one guitar book, make it this one.

The New Complete Guitarist by Richard Chapman - Covers history fairly well and goes into more playing detail than the Guitar Handbook. Is more up to date, but only skims through equipment very quickly.

The Electric Guitar Sourcebook by Dave Hunter - An excellent book for electric tonehounds. Gives all the detail on how the parts of a guitar work together and affect the sound.

Fretboard Logic SE by Bill Edwards - A great book, but not for the beginner. There is a lot of info explaining the mysteries of the fretboard.

cain

Ive just ordered these books:

The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer
Fretboard Logic SE

NorioDS

Actually, Alan's "Electric Guitar Handbook" is an essential book in my opinion.

Using that book, I've "serviced" my guitar without much hassle, so that was cool.

It's one of those books that you'll constantly be picking up once in a while for a quick reference. I especially like that techie info in there. You can tell you're learning from an expert that's tried it all and them some!

transilvaniaguitar

Scott Tennant - Pumping Nylon

for classical guitar learning, from beginner to advanced.

Riaan-Combrink

Don't know if it's essential, but found the following in my municipal library today:

'Totally Guitar - the Definitive Guide' by Tony Bacon & Dave Hunter. Blurb on cover says "Over 2 000 photos, 1 000 playing tips and 250 select chords'. Massive (almost A3 size) and runs to 608 pages.

Seems quite cool, so you can start leaving hints for the Christmas stocking (provided you already own a copy of "Electric Guitar Handbook". If not, get that first!) !!!! ?
Link for the newbies:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electric-Guitar-Handbook-Alan-Ratcliffe/dp/1845370422

If you want to get the other one, check it out:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Totally-Guitar-Definitive-Tony-Bacon/dp/1871547814

Riaan C

Riaan-Combrink

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer - This is a little bit dated now and doesn't cover newer innovations from the last 15 years, but it has so much information on everything to do with guitar, that if you only have one guitar book, make it this one.

+1. Great book. First guitar book I ever bought (approx 1992?) and still refer to it often.

PS: Just thought this thread was worth revisiting as we had such an influx of new members of late, some of whom appear to be at the beginning of the great journey! ?

Riaan C