Two Book Reviews
Two Book
Reviews
 By Chris Wilson
Martin Guitars: An Illustrated Celebration of America’s Premier Guitar Maker By Jim Washburn and Richard Johnson £30 hardback. Published by Roadale Press, Emmaus, Penn. USA With a beautifully embossed fly cover, a foreword by Steven Stills and 264 pages this book gives the entire history of the Martin Guitar Company from it’s humble beginnings in Germany and then New York, to the present day. Illustrated throughout with a mixture of colour and black and white photographs (colour photos weren’t around when C.F. Martin 1 had his picture taken) This is a highly desirable book to add to anyone’s book shelf. Reference is made to the unfortunate history of the company in the 70’s & 80’s when they nearly went under, due to such disasters as Vega banjos, Levin Guitars and Fibes drums to the resurgence under C.F. Martin the 4th. All the latest models are featured right up to early 1998 as well as much information on the older ones. At £30 it might seem to be a bit steep but to anyone who owns or has owned, played or is thinking about purchasing a Martin guitar this book is mandatory reading. Chris Wilson.
Acoustic Guitars
and other Fretted Instruments By George Grohn & Walter Carter Miller Freeman Books price £20 softback T his is published by ‘Guitar Player’ and written by two people whose knowledge of this subject is unsurpassable. George Grohn is the owner of the guitar shop in Nashville Tennessee and Walter Carter is a former journalist of the Tennesseean newspaper, this book is a must for any Bluegrasser. Every top maker of ukuleles, 5 string banjos, tenor banjos, flat top and arch top guitars as well as mandolins, Dobros, hawaiian guitars and numerous weirdos that I didn’t even know existed. The colour photography is superb, with several views of the more exotic offerings including Leadbelly’s old Stella 12 stringer! With over 300 pages and at least 600 colour plates, no black and white photos, at £20 this book is a snip as well as being a beautiful and informative addition to any serious musician’s book shelf. Chris Wilson, Skelmersdale.
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