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The biggest selection of 'Do-it-yourself' and 'How to' Books

 

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Books about Spanish, Classical and Acoustical Guitars

    A Collection of Fine Spanish Guitars from Torres to the Present by Sheldon Urlik (Author)

Hardcover: 157 pages
Publisher: Sunny Knoll Pub; 1st ed edition
Language: English

 

    A Guitar Maker's Manual by Jim Williams (Author)

Book description
Written by one of Australia's foremost luthiers, this manual is a straightforward, profusely illustrated guide to constructing nylon-string classical and steel-string guitars. Includes a useful section on creating the jigs necessary to make the job easier and more accurate, along with full size template diagrams to assist in cutting out and marking the body shape and soundboard bracing patterns. A Guitar Maker's Manual lists all of the materials needed, where to get them and what problems to look out for during the construction.

Plastic Comb: 112 pages
Publisher: Hal Leonard; Reprint edition
Language: English

 

    Antonio De Torres: Guitar Maker His Life and Work by Jose L. Romanillos (Author)

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Bold Strummer Ltd
Language: English

 

    Arte y oficio de hacer guitarras by Manuel Rodríguez Fernández

Rústica: 176 pages
Publisher: Real Musical / Madrid

 

    Aux origines de la guitare: La vihuela de mano

 

    Build Your Own Acoustic Guitar: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Plans by Jonathan Kinkead (Author)

Book description
Every guitarist dreams of owning a handmade instrument, but for most, the cost is likely to be prohibitive. The alternative - building your own fine guitar - is not as difficult as you might imagine, given some skill, patience, and the expert guidance of a master luthier. Every step of construction is fully covered, from choice, selection, and preparation of woods, to consideration of size, bracing, and tonal qualities. Each step of the building sequence is clearly photographed in color, with variations to the standard design shown to enable you to personalize your instrument as you make it. Briston, England-based Jonathan Kinkead has been building guitars for nearly 30 years. His craft is born out of experience and intuition rather than a strict following of technical detail. The resulting beauty of form and distinctive tone have earned him his reputation as one of the world's most respected independent luthiers.

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Language: English

 

    Building an acoustic guitar (video) by Dan Erlewire & Todd Sons

 

    Building the Balalaika by James H Flynn Jr.

 

    Classic Guitar Construction by Irving Sloane (Author)

Hardcover Publisher: Dutton Adult
Language: English

 

    Classical Guitar Making: A Modern Approach to Traditional Design by John S. Bogdanovich (Author)

Book description
What a thrill for any musician: playing a fine-sounding instrument that he or she has lovingly crafted from scratch. With this richly illustrated manual, well-known luthier and guitarist John Bogdanovich shows exactly how to build that first, beautiful guitar, using traditional, time-tested methods. All that’s required are basic woodworking techniques and a minimally equipped shop. Bogdanovich discusses the anatomy of the guitar, sound, choosing an instrument, selecting woods, templates and molds, and preparation. In more than 300 pages of text, he painstakingly lays out the details of construction, from assembling the neck and sides to installing the fingerboard and bridge.

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Sterling
Language: English

 

    Complete Guitar Repair by Hideo Kamimoto (Author)

Book description
Everything every guitar repairman, player, guitar builder, and guitar owner needs to know about the proper care of every kind of guitar, including electric. Hundreds of diagrams illustrate the text. A must for every true guitarist.

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Oak Publications
Language: English

 

    D.I.Y. Guitar Repair (Compact Reference Library) by Pieter J. Fillet (Author)

Book description
Do-it-yourself repair is easy with this money-saving manual for acoustic and electric guitarists. Easy instructions plus 170 diagrams & photos show how to fix loose frets, adjust a bridge, and more.

Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Amsco Publications (December 31, 1984)
Language: English

 

    El Arte de un Guitarrero Español by Jerónimo Peña Fernandez

 

    Guitar Finishing Step-By-Step by Dan Erlewine (Author), Don MacRostie (Author)

Book description
The definitive book for finishing guitars and fretted instruments. Learn from the pros: materials, equipment and techniques, plus three dozen recipes for famous finishes. This book helps give you the confidence to finish new instr

Publisher: Stewart McDonald

 

    Guitar Player Repair Guide: How to Set-Up, Maintain, and Repair Electrics and Acoustics by Dan Erlewine

Paperback Publisher: Backbeat Books

 

    Guitar Repair: A Manual of Repair for Guitars and Fretted Instruments (Bold Strummer Guitar Series) by Irving Sloane (Author)

Book description
Covering the full range of acoustic, or hollow-body, guitars, as well as applications to the mandolin, ukulele, banjo, and lute, renowned craftsman Sloane has created a long-awaited book that makes expert repair techniques accesible to both amateur woodworkers and experienced builders. His comprehensive problem-solving includes: closing cracks, patching fractures, adjusting poor action, eliminating buzzing, fixing loose braces, repairing bellying tops and neck warps, replacement of the bridge and pick guard, refretting and refinishing, restoring antique instruments. Excellent photos (b/n) and diagrams accompany succint directions and a master's own tips to make this 'the' essential guide for anyone who owns, plays, makes, or sells guitars, as well as for the woodworker who wants to construct musical instruments. First published in hardcover in 1973 by E.P. Dutton, New York. First published in paperback in 1984 by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Bold Strummer
Language: English

 

    Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology: A Complete Reference for the Design & Construction of the St by Jonathan Solomon (Author), William R. Cumpiano (Author)

Book description
Hailed by Guitar Player magazine as "perhaps the finest book on guitars ever produced," and by Booklist as "a Rolls Royce of construction guidebooks," this impressive volume is the first book of its kind to describe in depth how both steel-string and classical guitars are actually designed and built. Over 450 photographs, drawings, and diagrams reveal in exquisite detail the hows, whys, and how-to's of the traditional craft of guitarmaking, all accompanied by fascinating historical and technical notes. A comprehensive bibliography; a list of tools, materials, and supply sources; and a full index complete this uniquely authoritative reference - and essential acquisition - for guitar and craft enthusiasts, woodworkers, and students of instrument making everywhere. About the Author Jonathan D. Natelson builds and repairs classical guitars and is a national supplier of tone woods for constructing stringed instruments. He lives in Philadephia. William R. Cumpiano is a master guitarmaker and teacher of instrument building and repair in Amherst, Massachusetts, serving professional musicians across the country.

Paperback: 388 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Language: English

 

    Guitars, Design, Production and Repair by Jim Donahue (Author)

Book description
A comprehensive introduction to the tools, skills, techniques and styles for the serious guitar builder

Paperback: 162 pages
Publisher: Imprintbooks
Language: English

 

    How to make a classic guitar by Joseph F Wallo (Author)

Unknown Binding Language: English

 

    How to make a classic guitar

Book description
How to make a classic guitar by Joseph F Wallo (Author)

Unknown Binding Language: English

 

    La chitarra di liuteria. Masterpieces of guitar making by Grondona, Stephano; Mandelli, Massimo; Waldner, Luca

Book description
Interesante pero caro. En este libro se presenta una rica antología fotográfica de la historia de la guitarra, desde finales del siglo XVIII hasta la mitad del XX. Aparecen más de cincuenta de los instrumentos más representativos, tanto por los constructores que los crearon (De Torres a Rubio) como por los instrumentistas que los utlizaron (de Tárrega o Llobet a Segovia.) Las fotografías se acompañan de notas históricas, críticas y técnicas que combinan el conocimiento de los dos autores, un instrumentista y un guitarrero (en el capítulo dedicado a las cuerdas se han utilizado los conocimientos de un tercer experto.) El CD lo ha grabado especialmente para esta edición Stefano Grondona. Permite un acercamiento al sonido de estos instrumentos históricos.

Cartoné Publisher: L'Officina del Libro

 

    La guitarra en Castilla-La Mancha by Leal Pinar, Luis F.

Book description
Don Antonio Beltrán, Catedrático de la Facultad de Bellas Artes de Zaragoza. Publicaba en Milán, en 1979, un libro sobre 'El Arte Rupestre Ibérico Levantino”. Al hablar de las pinturas rupestres de Selva Pascuala, ubicadas en el término municipal de Villar del Humo (Cuenca), hace referencia precisa a una pintura que tiene forma de guitarra, y que, asentada entre otras, al abrigo de unos roquedales, se remonta al periodo neolítico (4000-2000 a. d. C.), por lo que podemos afirmar con toda seguridad que este guitarrico, que muestra su caja alargada, con mástil y trastes, se adelanta en no menos de dos mil años a cualquier otro instrumento musical de cuerda con caja y mástil, aparecido más tarde en las civilizaciones del Mediterráneo.

Rústica con solapas: 256 pages
Publisher: Llanura, Ediciones / Cuenca,
Language: Castellano

 

    La guitarra española (The spanish Guitar) by Museo Municipal de Madrid + The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Rústica Publisher: Opera Tres Ediciones Musicales

 

    La guitarra española: características y construcción by José Villar Rodríguez

Book description
Características y construcción. Estudio físico sobre la afinación de la guitarra; proceso de construcción; constructores. Gráficos, planos y fotografias.

: 220 pages
Publisher: Clivis Publicacions

 

    Left-Brain Lutherie: Using Physics and Enineering Concepts for Building Guitar Family Instruments : an Introductory Guide to Their Practical Application by David C., Ph.D. Hurd (Author)

Spiral-bound: 172 pages
Publisher: Bold Strummer Ltd; Spiral edition
Language: English

 

    Los guitarreros de Casasimarro hacen cantar la madera. Historia de una artesanía convertida en arte by Luis F. Leal Pinar

Book description
En esta obra, Luis F. Leal recoge la tradición guitarrera de Casasimarro. El autor ha buceado en los archivos del Juzgado municipal, y los documentos hallados los ha complementado con otros del Archivo Histórico Nacional y de Granada. Con estos datos, nos presenta un estudio que servirá, sin duda, para admirar la tradición guitarrera existente en este pueblo de La Manchuela, cuyo taller primero aparece, como queda bien documentado, en la segunda mitad del siglo XVIII. Tres son las sagas fundamentales que aparecen en este libro: La de los Alarcón, la de los Carrillo y la de los Leal, y en todas ellas sobresalen figuras de talla 'nacional', que es tanto como decir 'universal', por el peso que España tiene a nivel mundial en el campo guitarrero. Si Andalucía presume de su figura de Antonio Torres, si Valencia hace lo propio con Telesforo Julve, si Barcelona nos presenta a Francisco Simplicio y Madrid a su célebre saga de los Ramírez, Casasimarro se enorgullece con sus figuras estelares: Juan de Mata Alarcón Briones, Blas carrillo Alarcón "El abuelo Moreno" y Gregorio Leal Alarcón, por citar uno tan sólo de cada saga. El autor nos certifica que en España no hay familia alguna que pueda presentar una genealogía tan longeva como las que ofrece Casasimarro. La de los Alarcón se extinguió en su quinta generación. Empero dejaba establecidas la de los Carrillo, que, en la actualidad tiene a Vicente Carrillo Casas como séptimo eslabón de su saga, y la de los Leal, que tiene su continuación en Tomás Leal Martínez, que, a su vez, es el octavo eslabón de la familia guitarrera que nació con Alfonso Anselmo Alarcón.

Rústica: 264 pages
Publisher: Diputación Provincial de Cuenca ( Colección Atalaya
Language: Castellano

 

    Lutherie Tools by Tim Olsen & Cyndy Burton

 

    Lutherie Woods and Steel String Guitars: A Guide to Tonewoods With a Compilaition of Repair & Construction Techniques by Tim Olsen (Author), Cyndy Burton (Author)

Hardcover Publisher: Guild of Amer Luthiers (January 1998)
Language: English

 

    Making Master Guitars by Roy Courtnall (Author)

Hardcover: 329 pages
Publisher: Robert Hale; Reprinted Ed edition
Language: English

 

    Making Stringed Instruments: A Workshop Guide by George Buchanan (Author)

Book description
There is a dichotomy in this book. Only an experienced cabinetmaker would be able to fill in the book's gaps and come up with a good-looking though not necessarily playable instrument; yet, the book is apparently written for the enthusiastic putterer who needs different saws and their uses identified. The section on choosing woods, for instance, gives no more than general guidelines; the brief section on varnishes is more concerned with looks than sound. Scale drawings are negated being caught in the binding. This is truly a do-it-yourself book. There is no mention of where a person could go for further advice and no bibliography. Despite copious and clear line drawings and a few photos, this is not recommended.

Paperback: 205 pages
Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (November 1990)
Language: English

 

    Making your own Spanish guitar, balalaika, violin (Specialist booklets)

Unknown Binding: 28 pages
Publisher: Model & Allied Publications (1970)
Language: English

 

    Manual of Guitar Technology: History & Technology of Plucked String Instruments by Franz Jahnel (Author), J. C. Harvey (Author)

Paperback Publisher: Bold Strummer
Language: English

 

    Manuel du luthier: contenant: 1º la construction intérieure et extérieure des instrumens a archet , 2º la construction de la guitarre, 5º [sic] la confection de l'archet by Maugin, J.-C.

Publisher: Paris: a la Librairie Encyclopédique de Roret, 1834 (Troyes: Impr. de Cardon)

 

    Restauración de Instrumentos y Materiales by Luisa Masetti Biteli / Ariadna Viñas (Traductor)

Book description
El volumen recoge la contribución al debate general entre administradores, expertos y personal del sector de la restauración, sobre la función y el compromiso de las instituciones públicas a la hora de definir instrumentos de estudio, modelos de intervención y programas u directrices, dirigidos a su vez al sector privado.

Rústica con solapas: 206 pages
Publisher: Nerea ( Colección Arte y Restauración / Sevilla
Language: Castellano

 

    Steel-String Guitar Construction: Acoustic Six-String, Twelve-String, and Arched-Top Guitars by Irving Sloane (Author)

Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: Bold Strummer
Language: English

 

    The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars by Manuel Rodriguez (Author)

Book description
Rich in beauty, sound and history, Manuel Rodriguez and Sons' classical and flamenco guitars have been lovingly hand-crafted in Madrid since 1905. The company's remarkable creations are just as acclaimed today, capturing the 2000 Player's Choice Award from Acoustic Guitar magazine for its nylon-string model. New from Hal Leonard and for the first time available in English, The Art and Craft of Making Classical Guitars presents master luthier Manuel Rodriguez's thoughts on the history of the instrument he loves, and how the guitar attained its prominent position among musical instruments. Filled with fabulous historical photos, priceless memorabilia, abundant diagrams and more, the book covers topics such as the art and development of the guitar, materials used in construction, and much more. Essential for all admirers of the guitar.

Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Publisher: Hal Leonard (March 1, 2004)
Language: English

 

    The Art of Tap Tuning: How to Build Great Sound into Instruments by Roger H. Siminoff (Author)

Paperback Publisher: Hal Leonard Co.

 

    The classic guitar design and construction

 

    The Classical Guitar Book: A Complete History by Nigel Osborne, Sally Stockwell,Miki Slingsby

Publisher: Backbeat Books

 

    The Classical Guitar: Its Evolution, Players and Personalities Since 1800 by Maurice J. Summerfield (Author)

Book description
We proudly present the fifth edition of Maurice J. Summerfield's highly acclaimed ultimate reference book on the classical guitar. This brand new book features all the original biographical entries updated with new photographs where applicable, plus 100 new biographical entries in the players, composers and makers section - for a total of over 485. This new edition gives the reader a full and clear picture of the classical guitar's development since the beginning of the nineteenth century. Also included are informative sections on composers, scholars, flamenco guitarists and guitar makers. The book's collection of several hundred photographs is the most complete to be published in one volume. There are extensive listings of the most important classical guitar recordings. The final section, Sources of Supply, guides readers to where they can obtain the books, recordings, music and magazines listed in the book. Without a doubt, this new edition will be the essential work of reference on the subject of classical guitar for years to come!

Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Ashley Mark Publishing Company; 5 edition
Language: English

 

    The Fine Guitar by Jose Oribe

Publisher: Melbay

 

    The Guitar Maker´s Workshop by Rik Middleton (Author)

Book description
Intended as a beginner's guide for experienced woodworkers interested in making a guitar, this book assumes a fairly complete knowledge of woodworking tools and techniques and also an intermediate level of skill in finishing and detail work. Long-time luthier Middleton uses the old European approach to making a stringed instrument, including carving, gluing, bracing, and finishing, which he defends as desirable in handmade instruments,. But instrument-making supply companies now offer a variety of purpose-built tools and woodworking supplies that greatly simplify the old-fashioned process. To ignore these tools and supplies makes it much more difficult for a beginner to complete such a project. The book is handsomely produced, with detailed photos and clearly written text.

: 160 pages
Publisher: Crowood Press, Limited, The
Language: English

 

    The Illustrated history of the Guitar by alexander Bellow

 

    The Luthier's Handbook: A Guide to Building Great Tone in Acoustic Stringed Instruments by Roger H. Siminoff (Author)

Paperback

 

    Ukulele Design and Construction: A comprehenisve guide to construct a Hawaiian Ukulele For Any Woodworker by D. Henry Wickham (Author)

Book description
This informative book will guide you through the step by step process of building a professional quality ukulele. Each step is fully demonstrated and is illustrated with over 200 detailed photographs and drawings. Twelve time-saving construction jigs are illustrated and fully explained. Included is a section on sources of materials, a precise material list and other pertinent information. This 145-page book is a condensation of 35 years of woodworking experience and a substantial knowledge of guitar and ukulele construction. It has been written with the first time builder in mind, but it includes some more advanced topics and procedures. Basic concepts are the core of this book and in great detail. Little is published on the subject of ukulele construction and this book will be a welcomed addition. The construction demonstrated is based on a Tenor Ukulele and this book will serve as a substantial reference resource for any of the four sizes of the ukuleles. Both the Spanish and Box Style construction are illustrated and discussed in every step of the construction process. Concise photographic detail and drawings help to show you what to do and what not to do. Included is a chapter on finishing and a detailed section on setting up and tuning your ukulele.

Spiral-bound: 144 pages
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Language: English

 

    Your book of the Guitar by Graham Wade