Elderly Instruments Latest - Books - Instrument History http://elderly.com/list/newitems?catlist=670 en-us copyright 2009 Elderly Instruments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:54:38 -0500 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:54:38 -0500 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 720 webmaster@elderly.com The first definitive study of these instruments and their maker. 200+ color photos. Covers: the history of the Embergher workshop and its people; reproduction of an original Embergher catalogue with translation, comments and illustrated new colour photographs; full colour photographs showing front, back and side views of all types and models of the Embergher mandolin family; sound production; Embergher strings, plectrums and accessories; labels, stamps and signatures; historical photographs of makers and players, more. Limited edition. 6.70" x 9.45" 157 pp. ($60.00) ]]> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/722-1.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/722-1.htm This full-color book continues the amazing journey of musical giant, milestone guitarist and recording inventor Les Paul and the instruments that bear his name. Begins with the collectible late '60s models, moves on to the '70s and '80s special-themed instruments, the Historic reissues, and the jaw-dropping Gibson Custom Shop creations. Also covers Les Paul's resurgence--the comeback Grammy winning albums, the legendary weekly gig in a New York jazz club, and the reconnection with the Gibson organization. Since Les Paul's death in August 2009, this will be the first book (along with "Early Years 1915-1963" 49-330972) that covers his entire life, including his last performances at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the memorials in New York, and the burial in his hometown in Wisconsin. Features previously unpublished material and over 400 color photos. Hardcover. 361 pp. ($40.00) ]]> Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331953.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331953.htm Tony Bacon's definitive guide to Gibson's most famous guitar moves into its most complete version with this thoroughly revised edition. Now with 16 more pages and 45 new pictures, this timely update of "50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul" tells the story of one of the great musical instruments of the 20th century. Features a complete history of the guitar and its players - from the original Goldtop issued in 1952 through the reissues of today. The reference section has specs and descriptions for every Les Paul model from 1952 to 2009 including systems for dating, serial number keys and a timeline of models. Richly illustrated with 250 color photos - archive and performance shots, ephemera, and specially commissioned studio photos. 176 pp. ($24.99) ]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332752.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332752.htm Gibson produced thousands of banjos prior to WWII but only a handful were made in the most desirable configuration: the Original Flathead Five-String Mastertone. Since Earl Scruggs helped make them the most sought-after banjos in the world, these instruments have amassed a cult-like following and become the inspiration for nearly every successful 5-string banjo manufactured for the past five decades. Of the 130 or so Original Flathead Five-String Mastertones known to exist, 19 of the absolute best are featured here. The Scruggs, Reno, Jenkins, Crowe, Osborne, Huber and Mills banjos are shown in all their glory, with details of their known histories and provenances, as well as never-before-seen photos, bills of sale, factory shipping ledgers, and other ephemera. 169 pp. ($45.00) ]]> Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-1241.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-1241.htm In 1958, recognizing that rock n' roll was about to explode, the Hagstrom company began making electric guitars. 50 years later their instruments are still popular all over the world. Artists ranging from ABBA to Frank Zappa have played Hagstrom guitars, including current bands such as The Cardigans and Franz Ferdinand. This richly illustrated book, with over 400 full-color photos, covers virtually every Hagstrom guitar made from the first experiments of the late 1940s up to the current models made on license in China. Includes guitars and basses made at the main Alvdalen factory from 1958 to 1981, instruments sold under other brand names and instruments made at other factories. Hardcover, with text in Swedish and English. 193 pp. ($39.95) ]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/357-5.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/357-5.htm Both of the Martin Guitar Company's recently updated, exhaustive reference books in a collectible boxed set. The artwork on the slipcase features a painting by Robert F. Goetzl that was commissioned for Martin's 175th anniversary celebration. The slipcase will hold both books, "Martin Guitars: A History" (49-330889) and "Martin Guitars: A Technical Reference" (49-331986). Hardcover. 227 & 315 pp. ($70.00) ]]> Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:00:00 -0400 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331987.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331987.htm Part of a two book set, this volume deals with the technical aspects of guitar specifications, the evolution of model sizes and styles, and instruments made for other firms. Gives you historical perspective on every part of a Martin guitar, providing information on bodies, appointments, bracing, neck widths and shapes, headstocks, bridges, woods, pickguards, stains and coloring, and much more, all designed to tell the story of how a Martin guitar is made. Other chapters cover Models by Style, the Custom Shop and Limited Production guitars; all the lesser known instruments like archtops, electrics, mandolins and ukuleles are included as well. The book ends with exhaustive appendices covering production numbers, retail prices, and instrument specifications. If you own a Martin, you own a piece of history and this book will help you discover when it was made and how. Hardcover. 315 pp. ($35.00) ]]> Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331986.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-331986.htm Recounts the story of all the electric steel guitars - or electric "Hawaiian" guitars, as they were called during most of their tenure - that were built by Gibson between 1935 and 1967. Hawaiian guitars were the most popular form of electric guitars until the 1950s, and they contributed to some crucial developments in pickups and amplification in addition to lending their voice to the earliest solid body electrics. Aesthetically, the early postwar instruments are also amongst the coolest designs ever produced by Gibson. Features over 450 illustrations, including a wealth of color pictures, catalog reproductions, and patent drawings; and a comprehensive section on dating instruments as well as detailed shipping totals for the 1935-1967 period. Hardcover. 160 pp. ($40.00) ]]> Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332738.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332738.htm Book/CD pack. Most musicians are familiar with the famous Bigsby Vibrato, but not as many know about the wonderful guitars that Paul Bigsby built in the 1940's. 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. This book tells how Bigsby influenced Fender and Gibson, as well as other guitar manufacturers, in building techniques and design. This deluxe illustrated coffee table book contains over 300 color and black & white photos, many of which are published here for the first time. Over 50 are actual Bigsby instrument photos taken by fine arts photographer Greg Morgan. The CD contains recordings of Paul Bigsby from the late 1950's, telling stories of his business. Hardcover. 196 pp. ($50.00) ]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:00:00 -0500 http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332770.htm http://elderly.com/books/items/49-332770.htm