This graphically intensive, coffee-sized volume covers all aspects of guitar - from the Sound and Construction (of every instrument from classical to the solidbody electric), Amps and Effects, and Maintenance, to the actual Playing (tablature) aspects. There are several hundred pages devoted to individual manufacturers complete with illustrated directories and information on the development of these brands.
Co-author Tony Bacon, a longtime music author, editor, and one of the leading voices in the guitar world, has left nothing unturned here. He tells us about Dean, B.C. Rich, Fender and Gibson, of course, Hondo, Guild, Grimshaw, Ibanez, Kay, James Tyler, and a variety of others. There are specs about each guitar, years they were built, woods, electronics, frets, strings, and paint.
The photos will make any guitar enthusiast drool, and the reproductions of old instrument ads and brochures are also unbelievably intriguing. You need to truly love the guitar to own this one - it is not an inexpensive book. But if you do, and the idea of learning all there is to know about the obscure and the most famous guitars ever made burns inside you, save your dollars for this one. Just make sure you don't salivate all over the pages.