Rating: 
Summary: The book that will unlock the fretboard!
Review: My copy of this book is a hand-me-down from my father, a 1982 edition. After thumbing through it a few times when I was younger, I set it down, thinking it too complicated. Just recently I picked it back up and realized that I was wrong! Within its pages are detailed --yet *easy* to understand-- descriptions of scales, modes, recording techniques and more. In the back one can find an extremely detailed chord dictionary, and a few pages before, logical descriptions of how effects work! This book is just about as complete as it gets as a learning tool for all aspects of the guitar. I would recommend, however, supplements to learning each of the subjects covered in the book. It is meant to be a springboard, rather than a definitive text. I gave it an eight due to the fact that it looked so confusing to me earlier on... I wish I had learned all this stuff back then!!--It really helped me understand what I was playing, why certain chords sound good together. If you play, this book is a must!!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent resource
Review: The best guitar book out. Extensive info on construction, history, and theory of guitar. The Definition of guitar a bible. Advanced students may use it for reference and learners will appreciate learning through it. Chord Dictionary included (though somewhat limited)
Rating:
Summary: Mini-Encyclopedia of the Guitar
Review: The book is extensive, though not exhaustive, in its coverage of the history and description of the guitar, important and influential guitarists, teaching of basic chords, theory, etc. The photos are excellent, as are the cutaway illustrations of various guitar types. Understandably (after all, Andy Summers is co-author), there seems to be more emphasis on electric guitars, their accessories and proponents; but those of us who prefer the acoustic path should not feel left out at all--there's plenty for everyone! A great book to browse or to keep on one's coffee table.
Rating:
Summary: This book is very comprehensive on theory as well as history
Review: The guitar handbook has done more to help me teach myself than the two years of lessons I took. Excellent book, contains very advanced theory as well as begginers concepts.
Rating:
Summary: If you only buy one guitar manual, this is a good choice
Review: The part of my copy that gets the most wear is the section on "how to play the guitar". Having played guitar for nearly 20 years, but skipping over most of the theory behind it, I have become an avid music theory student. Music is a deep language, and the author has a gift of unlocking the mysteries of music and of the fretboard without spending a thousand pages on it.I'm finally learning my scales and modes and every note on the neck. It's just not that difficult! It's amazing what is in there in addition to guitar playing theory: guitar construction, repair, customizing, and care; great guitarists profiles and comments; performance technology. It's an encyclopedia for the guitar. Buy the book and LEARN YOUR SCALES! Keep on rockin' in the free world.
Rating:
Summary: Complete as possible
Review: This book examines all aspects of guitar. No, thats wrong....All aspects of talented guitar. There is no Korn, Rage against the machine, or other (...). From country finger picking to blues slide guitar, there is all in here. You get little quotes and tips from GREAT guitar players like Eric Johnson, Keith Richards, and the great gonzo motor city madman, Mr. 10 fingers of doom, the Predator Teditor Editor, terrible Ted Nugent. --insert lighters and screams-- good book if you are learning. a lot of theory.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but not good for the beginner
Review: This book has an incredible amount of information, but is more suitable for somebody who already has SOME experience with guitars or is attending a course. The section on learning to play the guitar is packed with information that cannot possibly be followed by a self-teaching beginner. I have spent by now almost one month on 4 pages! If you wish to fully profit from this book, you should also know how to read music notation.
Rating:
Summary: I haven't found a better book yet.
Review: This book has HEAPS of good stuff in it. To me it is a must. I picked up HEAPS of stuff from this book. I picked up heaps of stuff that people used to try unsuccessfully to expain to me. And I learnt heaps of new chords and taught myself how to write music and I learnt how to read tab. It was cool!
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad
Review: This book has lots of cool pictures and tells a good historical perspective of guitars, but I lost all respect for whoever the author/editor is because they failed to include Jimmy Page in their "Greatest Guitarists" section. Overall, the book is awite, lots of info, but right now it's gathering dust underneath a fan in my room. I guess I'm just not one to read a book about guitar, I'm one to pick it up and bang out some ROCK! PEACE THE K/M 3:16
Rating:
Summary: Great resource
Review: This book is a great resource, regardless of the level the guitarist plays at. For those who have recently begun playing, it is invaluable as a reference for looking up chords and discovering the multiple ways of playing them.
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