Picture 1 of 1
Stock photo
Picture 1 of 1
Stock photo
Inventing the American Guitar : The Pre-Civil War Innovations of C. F. Martin and His Contemporaries by James Westbrook, Richard Johnston and Arian Sheets (2013, Hardcover)
Musical Progressions Store (59105)
99.4% positive feedback
Price:
US $61.55
ApproximatelyAU $94.85
+ $30.81 postage
Returns:
30-day returns. Buyer pays for return postage. If you use an eBay postage label, it will be deducted from your refund amount.
Condition:
Inventing the American Guitar is the first book to describe the early history of American guitar design in detail. It tells the story of how a European instrument was transformed into one with all of the design and construction features that define the iconic American flat-top guitar. This transformation happened within a mere 20 years, a remarkably brief period. The person who dominates this history is C. F. Martin Sr., America's first major guitar maker and the founder of the Martin Guitar Company, which continues to produce outstanding flat-top guitars today.
- Buy It NowInventing the American Guitar Pre-Civil War Innovations of CF Martin 000333271
Oops! Looks like we're having trouble connecting to our server.
Refresh your browser window to try again.
About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherLeonard Corporation, Hal
ISBN-101458405761
ISBN-139781458405760
eBay Product ID (ePID)159932077
Product Key Features
Book TitleInventing the American Guitar : the Pre-Civil War Innovations of C. F. Martin and His Contemporaries
Number of Pages310 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicMusical Instruments / Guitar, Printed Music / Guitar & Fretted Instruments
Publication Year2013
IllustratorYes
GenreMusic
AuthorJames Westbrook, Richard Johnston, Arian Sheets
Book SeriesGuitar Reference Ser.
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.1 in
Item Weight66.8 Oz
Item Length11.3 in
Item Width10.8 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
Dewey Edition23
Dewey Decimal787.870973
SynopsisInventing the American Guitar is the first book to describe the early history of American guitar design in detail. It tells the story of how a European instrument was transformed into one with all of the design and construction features that define the iconic American flat-top guitar. This transformation happened within a mere 20 years, a remarkably brief period. The person who dominates this history is C. F. Martin Sr., America's first major guitar maker and the founder of the Martin Guitar Company, which continues to produce outstanding flat-top guitars today. After emigrating from his native Saxony to New York in 1833, Martin quickly established a guitar making business, producing instruments modeled after those of his mentor, Johann Stauffer of Vienna. By the time he moved his family and business to rural Pennsylvania in 1839, Martin had absorbed and integrated the influence of Spanish guitars he had seen and heard in New York. In Pennsylvania, he evolved further, inventing a uniquely American guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognized and played around the world today. To learn more about the history of the Martin guitar, click here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius' ., Inventing the American Guitar is the first book to describe the early history of American guitar design in detail. It tells the story of how a European instrument was transformed into one with all of the design and construction features that define the iconic American flat-top guitar. This transformation happened within a mere 20 years, a remarkably brief period. The person who dominates this history is C. F. Martin Sr., America's first major guitar maker and the founder of the Martin Guitar Company, which continues to produce outstanding flat-top guitars today. After emigrating from his native Saxony to New York in 1833, Martin quickly established a guitar making business, producing instruments modeled after those of his mentor, Johann Stauffer of Vienna. By the time he moved his family and business to rural Pennsylvania in 1839, Martin had absorbed and integrated the influence of Spanish guitars he had seen and heard in New York. In Pennsylvania, he evolved further, inventing a uniquely American guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognized and played around the world today. To learn more about the history of the Martin guitar, click here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius' .an guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognized and played around the world today. To learn more about the history of the Martin guitar, click here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius' .an guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognized and played around the world today. To learn more about the history of the Martin guitar, click here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius' .an guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognized and played around the world today. To learn more about the history of the Martin guitar, click here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius' . here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius' ., Inventing the American Guitar is the first book to describe the early history of American guitar design in detail. It tells the story of how a European instrument was transformed into one with all of the design and construction features that define the iconic American flat-top guitar. This transformation happened within a mere 20 years, a remarkably brief period. The person who dominates this history is C. F. Martin Sr., America's first major guitar maker and the founder of the Martin Guitar Company, which continues to produce outstanding flat-top guitars today. After emigrating from his native Saxony to New York in 1833, Martin quickly established a guitar making business, producing instruments modeled after those of his mentor, Johann Stauffer of Vienna. By the time he moved his family and business to rural Pennsylvania in 1839, Martin had absorbed and integrated the influence of Spanish guitars he had seen and heard in New York. In Pennsylvania, he evolved further, inventing a uniquely American guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognized and played around the world today. To learn more about the history of the Martin guitar, click here to view the video and article from BBC, How Martin Guitars Became an 'American Stratavarius'., Inventing the American Guitar is the first book to describe the early history of American guitar design in detail. It tells the story of how a European instrument was transformed into one with all of the design and construction features that define the iconic American flat-top guitar. This transformation happened within a mere 20 years, a remarkably brief period. The person who dominates this history is C. F. Martin Sr., America's first major guitar maker and the founder of the Martin Guitar Company, which continues to produce outstanding flat-top guitars today. After emigrating from his native Saxony to New York in 1833, Martin quickly established a guitar making business, producing instruments modelled after those of his mentor, Johann Stauffer of Vienna. By the time he moved his family and business to rural Pennsylvania in 1839, Martin had absorbed and integrated the influence of Spanish guitars he had seen and heard in New York. In Pennsylvania, he evolved further, inventing a uniquely American guitar that was fully developed before the outbreak of the Civil War. Inventing the American Guitar traces Martin's evolution as a craftsman and entrepreneur and explores the influences and experiments that led to his creation of the American guitar that is recognised and played around the world today.
LC Classification NumberML1015.G9
All listings for this product
Ratings and reviews
Most relevant reviews
- 19 May, 2016
Invention of American Guitar
A beautiful oversized book that qualifies as both coffee table and reference book. There are sharp, clear color photos on every page of antebellum guitars of Frederick Martin as well as contemporary builders and the European guitars that preceded them. Background is given on the early years explaining how the guitars of the traveling concert guitarists were analyzed by the local luthiers leading to guitars which took characteristics of both local and European guitars. Dimensions and drawings of support patterns also accompany the photographs of the guitars featured. Having come upon a pre-1850 parlor guitar with all the characteristics of a Martin except for a rounded, slotted headstock I bought the book hoping to find an answer to its paternity. I wasn't disappointed as I found the exact headstock pictured in the book. The authors had certified it as Martin headstock through their extensive examination of the records in the Martin archives. They used the same archives to draw up chapters on shipping, and labels. A feast for the eyes and a great source of information.Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 26 Apr, 2022
The evolution of the six string guitar using The Martin guitar company as the guide
This book is an exhaustive discussion of the evolution of the American guitar with a central theme centered on the Martin Guitar company. The book contains numerous excellent photographs of early Martin Guitars and other guitars too. The narrative is comprehensive and very well written. What is special is the fact that there is a discussion of the innovations that occurred during the period from the early 1800s to the beginning of the 20th century. This comprehensive presentation is followed with examples of guitars that contain the innovation. If you are interested in guitars, especially acoustic guitars, this is the book to purchase. No other book has as comprehensive a coverage of the changes that occurred during this critical innovative period that ended up defining the instrument that became the most copied steel string guitar, the Martin Dreadnoughts. This is the most copied guitar and is presently built on every continent of the world and the seeds of its design are discussed in this very well illustrated volume. If you are interested in the guitar and the steps that lead to the modern instrument, this is the book to read. It has opened my eyes to the complex path centered on innovative guitar makers of the early and mid 18th century. I highly recommend this book as you will not be disappointed in its content and coverage of the major guitar makers of which Martin Company presents the most convincing example of innovation. As a professor of design I was especially impressed with the detailed drawings of the changes in bracing, types of wood used and personalities that influenced what became the American Guitar. Also I am impressed with the books design and excellent color pictures. It is a large book and very well illustrated. The topic deserves this presentation and the publisher exceeded my expectations in this book. Also it has a comprehensive bibliography complete with foot notes in the back. As said above few books have such a comprehensive coverage to this important subject that has affected the music one hears every day. The guitar has become central to many of the world renowned musicians including the Beetles, Eric Clapton and so many others. This book looks at the foundations of their stringed instruments. To understand our music core on must look at the source of the guitar they are using to make the sounds that have captivated the world. This book is critical in its showing how we got to the music scene we all appreciate. I highly recommend this 290 page book!
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
- 26 Sep, 2018
Awesome Book
This book is great! It gives a lot of details and photos on how the steel string guitar came to be. It is a nice resource and nice coffee table piece .Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- 19 Oct, 2024
Guitar book
Who WhatVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
