The guitar is the most popular and versatile of all musical instruments, lending its humble presence to musical forms and genres from rock, country, and bluegrass to classical, jazz, and blues. In The Ultimate Guitar Book, the guitars on display show an almost infinite range of variations and refinements on one basic theme "a box with a neck," as the editors put it in the introduction to the acoustic guitar. From 17th century Stradivari to the latest guitar-synthesizer hybrids, it's all here: instruments famous and rare, antique and novel, including guitars owned or used by notable musical figures from Les Paul to Paul McCartney. The text includes helpful notes on the instruments' construction, as well as information about legendary designers like Martin, Gibson, and Fender. Whether you are a guitarist, collector, or simply an admirer of exquisite musical craftsmanship, this lovely book is a testament to human ingenuity in search of the perfect sound.