Feast your eyes on more than 300 of todays most creative, imaginative, and gorgeous hand-made guitarsall illustrated in full color and featuring information about the innovative artisans who created them. Meet guitar-making legends, such as C.F. Martin, Les Paul, and Leo Fender, who revolutionized the instruments design. Discover why the past 25 years have seen an explosion of craftspeople who build guitars by hand, employing an attention to detail factories cant afford and using higher quality materials and more technical skill than in any previous era. Explore the various guitar styles used in a range of musical traditions, from blues to classical. Detailed information about each guitars specifications, plus personal statements and anecdotes from the artisans about their work and techniques complete each entry. Rounding out the book is a Web directory and an index of luthiers. Players, craftspeople, collectors, and those who are simply fans of this popular instrument will find this volume irresistible!
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51 reviews for Hand Made, Hand Played: The Art & Craft of Contemporary Guitars
4.5out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
11
★★★★★
1
★★★★★
1
★★★★★
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★★★★★
professor chill –
I don’t usually give my “the best” rating to any book, because another will come along and knock it out of its top berth. But HAND MADE, HAND PLAYED is simply TOPS! Great glossy color photos, big page sizes, thick quality paper, and most important – a great selection of material. It makes this a guitar dream book to leave on the coffee table for years to come. Now, there are other great glossy guitar picture books, and some are on custom guitar – but this is simply my favorite (and I’ve got a bunch)!
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Jan Blazicek –
A must have for any aspiring luthier/guitar lover. This book has some of the most beautiful guitars out there in it. Of course, not every guitar in here would be my pick, but there are pieces which will blow your mind. Guitars made from every material that can be used, 1 off pieces from renowned manufactures (e.g. 1 millionth Martin guitar) as well as very interesting guitars from solitary artisans. I can’t honestly wrap my mind around how some of them were made. On the other hand, it saddened me a little to read about some pretty general guitar building concepts, which were patented afterwards by these manufacturers. I guess it is a field like any other, but still.
By the way: The book is actually much bigger than I imagined. The paper is very high quality + thick, the photographs (few exceptions with poor print quality) are excellent.
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars, but only because some of the guitars in there are subjectively much less impressive than others and don’t really seem to stand in the same category.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Osmun R. Latrobe –
Absolutely beautiful pictures of the best of custom guitars. Fine but concise descriptions of each luthier and the guitar specs. If you love guitars, you must BUY THIS BOOK.
P.S. I am not related to either the author or the publisher, or Amazon. It’s just that good.
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★★★★★
Amazon Customer –
Nice coffee table book if you love guitars. Nice photos and descriptions.
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★★★★★
Sandro –
Un libro stupendo, i lavori dei migliori liutai contemporanei ben fotografati, in un’edizione di qualità ad un prezzo veramente ottimo.
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★★★★★
Terry Keenan –
This book is a must for luthiers (or those who aspire to be one) and those with an interest in exceptional and/or interesting guitar designs.
It is very well written and produced and contains many excellent photographs.
The book shows the art of what is possible and just how creative one can be when making guitars.
Terry Keenan
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Steve –
I have many books on guitars, as I love them not only as musical instruments, but as artisanal pieces and works of art. This book is an amazing compilation of several types of instrument; current reproductions of antique classical guitars (which are as revered as a stradovarius is for the violin), current classical guitars, flatops, archtops, and electrics. There are brief descriptions of each luthier as well as descriptions of the instrument. For many guitarists, there is not only a love of playing, but an interest, and sometimes an obsession, of the technical aspects of the instrument. Many guitarists, in my observation, love the tried and true traditional, and those are here, but there are so many more that move into entirely new territory, truly a brave new world reflecting what may be the second golden era of the instrument.
One picture is worth a thousand words is the saying. The pictures in this book show what creativity can be put into the guitar, not ony the functionality, but also the aesthetic, from amazing woods and inlays, to cutting edge designs, such as a guitar which mimics the shape and principals of an Irish harp, a guitar that is based upon Picasso’s ‘multiple angle/perspective’ art form; travel guitars, electric gutiars that are striking in design and appointment, incuding a Mayan style intricately inalid Fender Custom SHop tele, or a solid body with rounded edges by a Japanese luthier, and of course the beauty of archtops by some of the finest builders. The point is that there are instruments in this book that are unique, and many will broaden your perception of the instrument’s design.
I found the book to be beautifully photographed and exciting to look at. This is a must have for anyone who simply loves guitar, be it rock , jazz, folk , or classical, as there is somthing in here for every interest, and, something in here to broaden your knowledge about the instrument, not only from a historical perspective, but also from a functional aspect.
A must have for anyone who loves the instrument as a thing of beauty.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Trevor Pickles –
A beautifully designed and presented book. A significant variety of guitar types and importantly, the guitar maker’s specifications. It just shows that one ‘standard’ design does not fit all musical tastes.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
JTB –
I received this book in late December, and I was quite disappointed to see that they had sent me a copy with a partially crushed spine. The outside box was intact, so the damage was there even before they packed it up. Other than the damage to the spine, the book was fine. It’s full of great photographs and interesting information concerning luthiers around the world and their creations. With all those wonderful photos, it’s a real pity they couldn’t have made sure the copy they sent me was in better condition. I expect a undamaged copy when I order a new book. Amazon should at least be able to meet that standard.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
e.p.jennings –
Beautiful images,great descriptions ,only minot gripe ,some headstocks not shown when there is aparticular description for it . Nice touch saying where each guitar was made. Well worth the money and you can constantly rifle the pages and wonder at the majesty of some of the creations !
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
michael john goldie –
Beautifully illustrated book showcasing many of the best luthier-made guitars on the planet.
professor chill –
I don’t usually give my “the best” rating to any book, because another will come along and knock it out of its top berth. But HAND MADE, HAND PLAYED is simply TOPS! Great glossy color photos, big page sizes, thick quality paper, and most important – a great selection of material. It makes this a guitar dream book to leave on the coffee table for years to come. Now, there are other great glossy guitar picture books, and some are on custom guitar – but this is simply my favorite (and I’ve got a bunch)!
Jan Blazicek –
A must have for any aspiring luthier/guitar lover. This book has some of the most beautiful guitars out there in it. Of course, not every guitar in here would be my pick, but there are pieces which will blow your mind. Guitars made from every material that can be used, 1 off pieces from renowned manufactures (e.g. 1 millionth Martin guitar) as well as very interesting guitars from solitary artisans. I can’t honestly wrap my mind around how some of them were made. On the other hand, it saddened me a little to read about some pretty general guitar building concepts, which were patented afterwards by these manufacturers. I guess it is a field like any other, but still.
By the way: The book is actually much bigger than I imagined. The paper is very high quality + thick, the photographs (few exceptions with poor print quality) are excellent.
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars, but only because some of the guitars in there are subjectively much less impressive than others and don’t really seem to stand in the same category.
Osmun R. Latrobe –
Absolutely beautiful pictures of the best of custom guitars. Fine but concise descriptions of each luthier and the guitar specs. If you love guitars, you must BUY THIS BOOK.
P.S. I am not related to either the author or the publisher, or Amazon. It’s just that good.
Amazon Customer –
Nice coffee table book if you love guitars. Nice photos and descriptions.
Sandro –
Un libro stupendo, i lavori dei migliori liutai contemporanei ben fotografati, in un’edizione di qualità ad un prezzo veramente ottimo.
Terry Keenan –
This book is a must for luthiers (or those who aspire to be one) and those with an interest in exceptional and/or interesting guitar designs.
It is very well written and produced and contains many excellent photographs.
The book shows the art of what is possible and just how creative one can be when making guitars.
Terry Keenan
Steve –
I have many books on guitars, as I love them not only as musical instruments, but as artisanal pieces and works of art. This book is an amazing compilation of several types of instrument; current reproductions of antique classical guitars (which are as revered as a stradovarius is for the violin), current classical guitars, flatops, archtops, and electrics. There are brief descriptions of each luthier as well as descriptions of the instrument. For many guitarists, there is not only a love of playing, but an interest, and sometimes an obsession, of the technical aspects of the instrument. Many guitarists, in my observation, love the tried and true traditional, and those are here, but there are so many more that move into entirely new territory, truly a brave new world reflecting what may be the second golden era of the instrument.
One picture is worth a thousand words is the saying. The pictures in this book show what creativity can be put into the guitar, not ony the functionality, but also the aesthetic, from amazing woods and inlays, to cutting edge designs, such as a guitar which mimics the shape and principals of an Irish harp, a guitar that is based upon Picasso’s ‘multiple angle/perspective’ art form; travel guitars, electric gutiars that are striking in design and appointment, incuding a Mayan style intricately inalid Fender Custom SHop tele, or a solid body with rounded edges by a Japanese luthier, and of course the beauty of archtops by some of the finest builders. The point is that there are instruments in this book that are unique, and many will broaden your perception of the instrument’s design.
I found the book to be beautifully photographed and exciting to look at. This is a must have for anyone who simply loves guitar, be it rock , jazz, folk , or classical, as there is somthing in here for every interest, and, something in here to broaden your knowledge about the instrument, not only from a historical perspective, but also from a functional aspect.
A must have for anyone who loves the instrument as a thing of beauty.
Trevor Pickles –
A beautifully designed and presented book. A significant variety of guitar types and importantly, the guitar maker’s specifications. It just shows that one ‘standard’ design does not fit all musical tastes.
JTB –
I received this book in late December, and I was quite disappointed to see that they had sent me a copy with a partially crushed spine. The outside box was intact, so the damage was there even before they packed it up. Other than the damage to the spine, the book was fine. It’s full of great photographs and interesting information concerning luthiers around the world and their creations. With all those wonderful photos, it’s a real pity they couldn’t have made sure the copy they sent me was in better condition. I expect a undamaged copy when I order a new book. Amazon should at least be able to meet that standard.
e.p.jennings –
Beautiful images,great descriptions ,only minot gripe ,some headstocks not shown when there is aparticular description for it .
Nice touch saying where each guitar was made.
Well worth the money and you can constantly rifle the pages and wonder at the majesty of some of the creations !
michael john goldie –
Beautifully illustrated book showcasing many of the best luthier-made guitars on the planet.
Amazon Customer –
Excellent!
Bullwhip186 –
Great coffee table book.