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     Below is a list of the guitar repair/maintenance and history books I have, along with a short "review." I really don't feel qualified to endorse anything as "essential" or "definitive" to anyone (there's still many great books that I've never read). That said, I'd recommend several books in this incomplete list. Many of these books can still be obtained from Stewart-MacDonald, Amazon.com, or can be special-ordered from your local bookstore.

50 years of Fender: Half a Century of the Greatest Electric Guitars, by Tony Bacon (with Paul Day)

Miller Freeman Books/Balafon, London (2000)

Softcover, 128 pp., $19.95 cover(?) (bought in 2002)

     My copy appears to be a British pressing (Balafon imprint) with the US cover (Miller Freeman imprint); maybe that explains why the cover is already separating from the pages (a hazard of buying online). Anyway, this book offers a lot of nice pictures and will improve the appearance of any coffee table. However, if you decide to actually read this book, then you might be a bit disappointed, as I was. It gets kudos for providing equal coverage to pre- and post-CBS guitars (thru 2000), but the writing style is amateurish in places and they lose points for some of the photos. For one thing, if you're presenting something in a linear fashion, don't put a picture of a 1976 guitar on the spread for 1973. The authors also include several obvious refins (the '56 Musicmaster, to name one).

An introduction to scientific guitar design (1st edition), by Donald Brosnac

The Bold Strummer Ltd., Westport, CT (1978)

Softcover, 102 pp., $19.95 cover(?) (bought in 1999)

     This book is in dire need of an update! With my background is in mechanical engineering, I thought this would be an interesting book. Parts of it were, but I was sorely disappointed overall.

Guitar electronics for musicians, by Donald Brosnac

Amsco Publications, New York (1983)

Softcover, 102 pp., $22.95 cover (bought in 2000)

     Another older book in dire need of an update. In the wake of EVH, when aftermarket pickups and other custom guitar mods were really becoming popular, this book was probably pretty complete. Nearly 20 years later, I doubt many of the "hot rod" kits mentioned within are even still available. There's a lot of information in here, though. Many circuit diagrams, plus less-confusing wiring illustrations (e.g., the proper way to wire a Tele switch).

Bill Carson: My life and times with Fender Musical Instruments, by Bill Carson with Willie G. Mosely

Vintage Guitar Books/Hal Leonard, Milwaukee (1998)

Softcover, 111 pp., $14.95 cover (bought in 2002)

     In this book, Bill Carson describes his rich history with Fender, from his days as one of Leo's "test pilots," to the CBS-Fender era, and to the 1980s under the leadership of Bill Schultz. Also interspersed are perspectives and comments from others who were there (George Fullerton, Bob Perine, etc.). Many black-and-white photos, including some of the Fender factory and of Fender instruments/ad copy that I'd never seen before. A good book for Fender enthusiasts. Includes forwards by Bill Schultz and Seymour Duncan.

The Guitar Player repair guide (2nd edition), by Dan Erlewine

Miller Freeman Books, San Francisco (1994)

Softcover, 305 pp., $22.95 cover (bought in 1999)

     If you like to screw around with guitars as much as I do, then this is a great reference book to have. Dan Erlewine covers just about every facet of electric and acoustic guitar repair, from setups to refrets to refinishes. The book is illustrated throughout, but perhaps it could have benefited from more pictures. Some of the topics covered might be of more benefit to professional luthiers, but the book seems to have been written with the average person in mind. A third edition might be appropriate sometime soon, but the second edition is still worth your $23.

Fret work step by step (Stewart-MacDonald Shopguide Series)

Stewart-MacDonald, Athens, OH (1994)

Softcover, 125 pp., $24.95 cover (bought in 2000)

     This book was basically written by master guitar repairman Dan Erlewine. It covers several different refret projects, including acoustic and electric guitars, bolt-on and set necks, and "easy" and advanced jobs. Lots and lots of black and white photos illustrate each step. When I lived in Memphis, the cost of a pro refret was so high I thought hard about instead spending the $350 (or so) on the tools and supplies needed, plus a pawnshop trash guitar to practice on. Unfortunately, I still don't have the time or dedicated work space needed for this kind of job, and probably not the patience either. Maybe one day, though....

How to make your electric guitar play great, by Dan Erlewine

Backstreet Books, San Francisco (2001)

Softcover, 133 pp., $17.95 cover (bought in 2001)

     A good guide to the setup of all types of electric guitars. Dan covers ABR-1s, Floyds, the Buzz Feiten tuning system, and more. There's also a brief summary of Jerry Donahue's method of tuning stock 3-saddle Telecasters (also applicable to Musicmasters and Duo-Sonics). This book comes with punch-out plastic radius gauges, useful for setting humbucker polepiece height to match the neck radius (and for finding out what the neck radius is to begin with). Some material is reprinted from The Guitar Player Repair Guide, but there's enough new things in here to get both. Best of all, it's written for guitar players rather than luthiers.

Amps! The other half of rock 'n' roll, by Ritchie Fliegler

Hal Leonard Publishing Corp., Milwaukee, WI (1993)

Softcover, 120 pp., some color illustrations, $24.95 cover (bought in 2000)

     A great introduction to the mostly neglected topic of guitar amps. Not as much of a troubleshooting/maintenance guide (although there's some of that too) as it is a guide to tube amps and many of the popular amp manufacturers. You get a chapter each on major makes like Fender, Marshall, Vox, etc., a composite chapter of other makers, a chapter on reissue vs. vintage, plus a lavishly illustrated color photo section.

The complete guide to guitar and amp maintenance, by Ritchie Fliegler

Hal Leonard Publishing Corp., Milwaukee, WI (1994)

Softcover, 80 pp., $14.95 cover price (bought in 2000)

     At first glance, this book seemed rather light in content, but its main focus is the maintenance rather than the repair of electric guitars and amps. Many black-and-white photos and circuit diagrams. Ritchie Fliegler's inimitable writing style makes it fun.

Complete guitar repair (1st edition), by Hideo Kamimoto

Oak Publications, New York (1975)

Softcover, 157 pp., $7.95 cover price (bought new in the early '80s)

     Most of this book went way over my head when I first read it, but I was only like 12 when I bought it at a university bookstore. I haven't seen the newer 2nd edition; this first edition seemed to focus more on acoustic guitar repair. This seemed like more of a reference book for luthiers (like a textbook for a guitar-building class?) than anything else. Many black and white illustrations, basic circuit diagrams, and photos.

The Fender amp book, by John Morrish

Miller Freeman Books, San Francisco (1995)

Hardcover, 96 pp., $17.95 cover (bought in 2004)

     This small book (5" wide by 9.25" tall) was seemingly intended to serve as more of a field identifcation guide for Fender amps (1940s-1990s) than a serious history/picture book. (After all, can any book about Fender amps be complete without even mentioning Dick Dale's involvement with the R&D of the Showman in the early '60s?) Still, it was a nice reference to amps made during the CBS years and beyond. (FYI, I can't comment on how good they sound, but those early '90s grey carpet covered 4x12 cabinets are much lighter than typical Marshall cabinets -- much easier to load up/down a flight of stairs.)

Fender: the sound heard 'round the world, by Richard R. Smith

Garfish Publishing company, Fullerton, CA (1995)

Hardcover, 304 pp., many color photos, $50 cover (bought new in 1999 for ~$30)

     I'd wanted this book for a long time, but its cover price dissuaded me until I found it on sale (at Musician's Friend, of all places). Lavishly illustrated (with mostly color photos), this is a history of Leo Fender's guitars and amplifiers, focusing mostly on the pre-CBS years. My sole "complaint" is that it spends precious little time on my favorite vintage Fender guitar, the Duo-Sonic. Die-hard Fender fans will probably consider this book essential, and even casual guitar enthusiasts will probably enjoy it.

Fender: the inside story, by Forrest White

Miller Freeman Books, San Francisco (1994)

Softcover, 258 pp., $22.95 cover (bought in 2000)

     I really enjoyed this book. Forrest White, an industrial engineer and guitar player, was one of the key people responsible for the success and growth of Fender in the '50s and early '60s. Written in a tell-it-like-it-happened conversational style, but reverent and humble in its tone, this book provides a great history of pre-CBS Fender. It also features many black and white illustrations (including copies of promo material for the Duo-Sonic and Musicmaster).