Play It Loud: An Epic History of the Style, Sound, and Revolution of the Electric Guitar

"Play It Loud: An Epic History of the Style, Sound, & Revolution of the Electric Guitar" is one of the best – and best-written – books on music’s evolution over the last eighty years. Whether or not you play a guitar or even like guitars, all you have to do is like music or good writing to appreciate this book.It traces music’s growth – particularly blues, jazz, country western, and, of course, rock – through the development of the electric guitar and some of its accessories like amps, pickups, etc.Guitar innovators Leo Fender, Adolph Rickenbacker, Ted McCarty (Gibson), Fred Gretsch, Paul Reed Smith and others are brought to life, becoming more than just names affixed to a guitar’s head. And the place in music history of Kay, Harmony, Valco, and Teisco, makers of often overlooked and underappreciated less expensive instruments (so-called ‘catalog’ or ‘junk’ guitars), is solidly…and finally…made.Perhaps most important, the personalities who made the electric guitar indispensable to music...why they played the ‘ax’ they did, their styles, what type of music they played, how long they stuck with a particular brand, whom they played with, when and where they debuted their guitars…unfold in interesting vignettes and anecdotes.All of this is put in perspective by providing the cultural milieu during which these musicians and developments took place."Play It Loud" also dispels some of the myths swirling about the electric guitar; for instance, that Les Paul was its inventor. Actually, had it not been for George Beauchamp in the 1920s and 30s, the electric guitar might never have made it to music’s mainstream.According to authors Brad Tolinski and Alan Di Perna: “He (Beauchamp) not only invented the first fully functional guitar pickup, he also put it to work in his pioneering design for the world’s first successful, commercially produced electric guitar.” Development of the solid-body electric guitar was Les Paul’s forte and claim to fame.Tolinski and Di Perna, know their stuff. They did their research and then with their writing skill and talent turned that work into what is generally reserved for the mystery/adventure/spy genres…a page-turner.Included in the book is a chronology of the electric guitar, its makers and musicians. Plus, there’s a foreword by guitar virtuoso, Carlos Santana."Play It Loud" is a great pickup you won’t fret about…or regret.

If you grew up in the '50's and 60's, this volume will be like mother's milk to you. The history of the electric guitar is, in fact, the history of rock and roll and R&B, they are so closely intertwined. If you have the slightest knowledge of types and prices of guitars, you'll appreciate what it took Leo Fender, Gibson, Rickenbacker, Beauchamp to take that creative step that has changed the world.Discover the world of amps, tubes, distortion, cannibalizing one guitar, or several to get just what is desired.If you're the least bit wonky about collecting and playing, I urge you to get this book.I got it on Kindle, but wanted that hardcopy to savor the pictures with likeminded friends, so I got it also.Reads easy with a nice, informative talky style that won't go over anyone's head, and the author obviously knows his stuff.

As a long-time reader of Alan di Perna articles and books, I was truly thrilled to get into this one. Authors Alan di Perna and Brad Tolinski did such a wonderful job telling the story of the electric guitar. I really loved the story about the Beatles escaping through a tunnel under Central Park! It was like something out of “A Hard Days Night.” I also learned alot about Leo Fender, Les Paul (plenty of personal anecdotes!) and other guitar "influencers." I now know so much more than I thought I would and enjoyed every step of the amazing journey through the history of the electric guitar.

I'm about 2/3 of the way through and I love it. It answers so many questions I had about the history of rock (generally speaking, without going into the various genres) and of the guitars that made history. If you love music the way I do this book is great and for you.

Bought it for my uncle, who's an amateur guitarist and loves the history of rock and/or roll. He reported back that he learned a bunch of new stuff from the book and promptly passed it off to my mom for her to read, too. So apparently it's good!

As interesting and entertaining (and factual) a history of electrics as I've found in 30 years in the industry. Tolinski knows his stuff, and knows how to write a story that never bogs down with minutiae, but keeps the reader engaged. Highly recommended.

A very interesting and informative book. I really liked the parts of the book that talked about the conversations between Les Paul and Leo Fender. Both great minds who restlessly searched for ways to move music fwd

Guitar player? Know someone who is? They should read this book. It's not just a book about guitars. It is the entire history of the electric guitar illustrated with great stories. From the first use of an electric guitar to today, Play It Loud reads much more like a novel than a history book. Recommended!

The first half of this book is excellent, being informative and absorbing. It loses its focus when it reaches post Beatles rock, when it gives way to a fanzine hyperbole style. At one point Hendrix (at Monterey) is described as "the tantric shaman ushering in the new Age of Aquarius". Opinions are presented as facts too often. It picks up again (no pun intended) when it returns to the subject of guitar design, builders and artists (instead of merely artist reverence). Not a bad book. Could have been much better though.

i found this a bit "dry". no illustrations and poor quality paper .this was supposed to be a present but returned it and bought a lovely illustrated book on guitars easier reading ad browsing

This is a Christmas present for my son who is really into guitars. I'm sure he'll love it.

Excellent

Very interesting stories about electric guitars.