Books about vintage guitars and amps. Which ones are the "must haves"?

Bygone_Tones

In particular I want to brush up on all things Fender guitars and amps, but if you've got any other good book recommendations, let me know.

Skipped

I am a Gibson fanboy, but Fender The Inside Story (Forrest White) is a great book.

In fact, you have inspired me to read it again and to remember what a Tree Book feels like.

wesker123

Fender: the golden age

chris78

The Blackguard book by Nacho. Pure pornography

thermionic

Skipped said:

I am a Gibson fanboy, but Fender The Inside Story (Forrest White) is a great book.

In fact, you have inspired me to read it again and to remember what a Tree Book feels like.

I second that emotion. Absolutely fascinating story told in this book.

Gassage

Skipped said:

I am a Gibson fanboy, but Fender The Inside Story (Forrest White) is a great book.

In fact, you have inspired me to read it again and to remember what a Tree Book feels like.

About to say precisely this...

barnstorm

The Golden Age is the one I'd suggest as well.

Re. others, I'm always on the lookout for more readable guitar books – ones that aren't just references. Deke Dickerson's Strat in the Attic books are fun and contain some really good nuggets of information.

It's not vintage-related, but another nice 'dippy-inny-outy' read is Julia Crowe's My First Guitar. A Perfectly Good Guitar by Chuck Holley is similar – musicians on their favourite instruments, but not the usual rock stars.

duotone

I haven’t bought this yet, but I like the look of : Billy F Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead

https://billygibbons.com/product/billy-f-gibbons-rock-roll-gearhead/

lukedlb

There's a private Fender collector other here in Italy who has now printed 3 books taking apart all of his guitars. The first one is the cheapest at 50 and is great. The new ones are 120 each and look beautiful.
https://flaviocamorani.it/1-our-vintage-soul/

Go down to the photos below for a taste. He photographs every element. For players interested in relicing, this is incredible source material.

Actually, I must remember to pass this on to @GoldenEraGuitars . That should do it.

jdgm

Another vote for the Forrest White book here.

And "The Stratocaster Chronicles" by Tom Wheeler; big, glossy, detailed. Has a CD with it, Greg Koch demo'ing the sounds and styles of noted Strat players, done very well.  Wheeler also wrote "American Guitars" - which is still a great reference.

fretfinder

AMPS! by Ritchie Fliegler is a great book, not just about Fender amps but about many other classic amps too. I’ve got a copy in near mint condition that I’d sell. Cheapest one I’ve seen on eBay is £24, or £46 on Amazon! I’d do mine for £15 posted. PM if you’re interested. Cheers. 

Edit: someone else has snapped this up just now but it’s worth a read if you can get hold of a copy. 

Bygone_Tones

fretfinder said:

AMPS! by Ritchie Fliegler is a great book, not just about Fender amps but about many other classic amps too. I’ve got a copy in near mint condition that I’d sell. Cheapest one I’ve seen on eBay is £24, or £46 on Amazon! I’d do mine for £15 posted. PM if you’re interested. Cheers. 

Edit: someone else has snapped this up just now but it’s worth a read if you can get hold of a copy. 

I would have taken it, but have owned it before so no worries. Amazing to see some of the prices these books are bringing on amazon now. Starting to look like good investment pieces themselves, never mind the vintage gear! Keep hold of them. The latest Marshall Doyle book is £170 on amazon.

Thanks for the other Fender suggestions I will add them to my amazon list.

Strat54

Never mind GAS, I suffer from GBAS too....I just have to buy them all. This is a particular favourite:

Strat54

The author of these two early classics died today. RIP Andre Duchossoir. Always a must....

Moe_Zambeek

I have the Amps! book and an earlier edition of Doyle’s Marshall book, and the Billy Gibbons gearhead one, amongst others. Actually have been looking at ‘that’ bookshelf and considering clearing it out. Do we think these are going to appreciate? 

GuyR

Strat54 said:

The author of these two early classics died today. RIP Andre Duchossoir. Always a must....

Very sorry to hear he has died. These books were the definitive works on the subject and still excellent references today. 

downbytheriver

If you want a book on amps, Aspen Pitman’s Tube Amp Book series is without compare. I have every edition, which is not essential as each is a development of the previous edition, but the last one is comprehensive. Not much about solid state though!