Books for Guitar Gearheads - Recommendations and Discussion

[tbonesullivan]

So yes, I've got a copy of the Hamer Book, and I've also got a copy of Billy Gibbons Rock & Roll Gearhead. These are both GREAT reads and full of pictures and information, and now I'm picking up Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass.

Just wondering what other "gearhead" books people may have picked up, especially ones that are just as good of a read as they are to look at.

[hamerhead]

Anything by our own Willie G Moseley. "Bakerfield Guitars" is great!

 

ETA: Amazon links - https://www.amazon.com/Books-Willie-G-Moseley/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AWillie%2BG.%2BMoseley

https://www.amazon.com/Bakersfield-Guitars-Illustrated-Willie-Moseley/dp/1493060627

Edited August 11, 2025 by hamerhead

[Steve Haynie]

Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars is not something for the person who loves photos of unique guitars, but you can spend a lot of time looking up details about old guitars.  

[Willie G. Moseley]

Thanks. I've got a few copies of some of those books still around the office  if someone wants a signed copy...

Edited August 11, 2025 by Willie G. Moseley

[velorush]

4 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

...and now I'm picking up Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass.

The BBB of B is an encyclopedia! I was unprepared for what a complete download it was, both Rush and just overall bass.

"Beauty of the Burst" is another beautiful book filled with pictures but also loads of nerdy information about construction and details.

I keep waiting for Bonamassa to get hooked up with an editor / publisher. He could produce a true Encyclopedia Britanica of guitar complete with pictures.

[Willie G. Moseley]

Who's ever heard of Robert "Mint Man" Johnson from Memphis? He's been collecting for over 50 yearsl.first time I saw one of his instruments was in the mid-'70s In an Ian Bishop books. The magazine has done a profile on him as well as articles on some of his collectibles His history includes playing with John Entwistle's Ox in the early '70 to being .

What would be the interest in his story accompanied by color photos (format like the Robin and Fritz books)?  He's a famous player but is a legendary collector and  historian 

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Edited August 12, 2025 by Willie G. Moseley

[DarkHammer]

Messengers: The Guitars of James Hetfield - is an awesome book with lot of detailed photos of his guitars.

https://www.metallica.com/store/messengers-the-guitars-of-james-hetfield/JHBOOKSTND.html?srsltid=AfmBOop_wfIgQgnsqgKK90bJY5X4NMmOOqEU6GwquV65G4kWOyztzE30

 

I have not gotten this one, looks like a great read too:

The Collection: Kirk Hammett

https://www.metallica.com/store/kirk-hammett-gibson-standard-edition-book/KHGIBSTDBOOK.html 

 

Edited August 12, 2025 by DarkHammer

[geoff_hartwell]

21 hours ago, Willie G. Moseley said:

Thanks. I've got a few copies of some of those books still around the office  if someone wants a signed copy...

I would absolutely love a signed copy of anything you wrote that you have extra copies of! Please Dm me and I’ll get you payment and a shipping address

Theres an amazing coffee table book of Danny Ferrington’s custom work.

[RobB]

4 hours ago, geoff_hartwell said:

Theres an amazing coffee table book of Danny Ferrington’s custom work.

I have this one. He did an acoustic in the shape of a Standard. Flame-top, tobacco burst, headstock, the works. The included CD is pretty awesome, too.

[joshoowah]

If you have even a passing interest in archtops, Blue Guitar, by Ken Voss, is a must! Scott Chinery, who commissioned the collection, was scum, but that book is pure luthier's porn. I also recommend Acquired of The Angels - an amazing history of John D'Angelico and Jimmy D'Aquisto's careers and legacies. 

[cmatthes]

This one is dreamy...

https://a.co/d/fzn0tVW

[tbonesullivan]

3 hours ago, joshoowah said:

If you have even a passing interest in archtops, Blue Guitar, by Ken Voss, is a must! Scott Chinery, who commissioned the collection, was scum, but that book is pure luthier's porn. I also recommend Acquired of The Angels - an amazing history of John D'Angelico and Jimmy D'Aquisto's careers and legacies. 

I believe that a foundation owns most of the blue guitars now, and I think they have been maintaining and traveling them them. There also are some new blue guitars, made using the same Mohawk blue color. I think Maegen Wells made one, and I saw a few others.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_HEV7oO61J/

[hamerhead]

Willie - a Mike Shishkov book would be awesome. Just sayin'. 

[tbonesullivan]

On 8/11/2025 at 4:50 PM, velorush said:

The BBB of B is an encyclopedia! I was unprepared for what a complete download it was, both Rush and just overall bass.

"Beauty of the Burst" is another beautiful book filled with pictures but also loads of nerdy information about construction and details.

I keep waiting for Bonamassa to get hooked up with an editor / publisher. He could produce a true Encyclopedia Britanica of guitar complete with pictures.

Well, Now I have both books in house, and man, there is so much information in there. I'm also AMAZED at how the Beauty of the burst was put together THIRTY years ago. How the hell did they manage to get that many bursts photographed? Did they travel to the bursts, or did they have some big Les Paul burst convention?

At the time, those guitars were all about 35 years old, and now they are almost TWICE as old. I'm sure many of them are now more faded, especially those that see a lot of use, like Pearly Gates.

Next up I definitely need to pick up some Willie G stuff.

[Michael_s]

Italian luthier Antonio Wandrè  Pioli (1926-2004), a creative mind that set up the first electric guitar factory in Italy in the 50s, producing some of the most innovative, wildly experimental models in the history of that instrument. 

 

Nashville guitarist Buddy Miller has two Wandres...

...and here's mine: