When the hand-made guitar that had been my constant companion for more than 20 years was destroyed by airline baggage handlers, I decided to order a new one from master luthier Rick Davis–and watch over his shoulder as he made it. At the same time, I became fascinated by the history of the guitar, which a century ago was a minor folk instrument yet rose to outsell all other instruments behind. The book follows both the making of the guitar to completion and the history to the present day, asking what makes this instrument so popular, and our relationship with it so intense and intimate? This book was selected by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2005, and, dammit, they were right. Also available as an audio book, which a lot of people like because of my British accent, though to me I’m all too aware that I’m probably mangling the pronunciation of Hawaiian names dreadfully….
To order, click here.
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4 users responded in this post
[…] the beauty begins with the wood. My debt to Rick Davis and the luthiers I followed in writing Guitar is that I love a piece of good wood—love it admiringly, love it avariciously, can’t wait to buy […]
Reading The Guitar book again…as I am in the midst of – yet another – GAS attack – I have often lent the book out and conversations with the most recent reader inspired me to pick it up again…loving it as much as the 1st time…can’t help but wonder what your take on the Running Dog guitar is 15 (?) years in. Is it opening up…getting ‘better’ Were your choices (and Rick’s) the ‘right’ ones…or have you learned more and are leaning in a different direction? Great Stuff – wishing you all the best. Thank you Tim
Thanks, Joe! I still love the guitar as much as ever. It still looks distinctive, even unique, and beautiful, and it still plays and sounds great, even maybe richer than it did for the first 3-5 years. All the best, mate.
Tim
I have been reading your book again – just finished the “Inlay” chapter. I looked online for pictures of your guitar, but couldn’t find anything with enough detail to show its inlay of maple leaves. It looks like a beautiful instrument. Rick Davis doesn’t seem to have much internet presence – I couldn’t find much of his work. It’s just, you know, as a guitarist, you’ve seen one guitar, you want to see them all.
Thanks for the pleasure of reading your book. You give a fine history of the instrument as well as a great personal journey. I’ll keep it around – probably read it a few more times yet.
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