FEATURE
BOOKS RECOMMENDED FOR THE ‘BURST ENTHUSIAST Robert Gearhart
If you saw the last issue describing the important
different angles and a short description of each
BURST BELIEVERS
books on amplifiers, you may remember that I
guitar, pointing out the highlights. The book
by Vic DaPra
am known as the AMPGUY. I am also a major
also has detailed specs on these guitar and
Printed in color for the most part, on glossy
collector of all things guitar, including books.
some interviews with the owners. It’s definitely
paper in 2013, this is a really nice book to have.
I own a recent Gibson Custom Shop R9 Les
a “must have” book. My copy is a signed
Tons of fantastic pictures and stories form
Paul Reissue, which has amazing flame. This
hardbound edition, #893 of 1000.
the owners. There are 194 different ‘bursts
is as close as I will ever get to owning a real
224 pages.
featured by serial number and, surprisingly, few
1958 to 1960 Les Paul ‘Burst. But, then again,
duplicates from the “The Beauty of the ‘Burst”
I can afford the books on this guitar with their
THE GIBSON ‘BURST 1958,’59,’60
book previously mentioned. Another “must
amazing pictures. I have briefly reviewed the
by Jay Scott and Vic DaPra
have” for the ‘burst lover! Hardbound.
best of the ‘Burst books below. One or two
This 2006 book is really an update of the first
135 pages.
editions are hard to find and expensive, but
book that I reviewed previously. It is printed
softbound editions are available.
on glossy paper, which enhances the detail in
SUNBURST: HOW THE GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD
the B&W and Color photographs (14 pages).
BECAME A LEGENDARY GUITAR
‘BURST, 1958-’60 SUNBURST LES PAUL
Many of the photographs seem to be of the
by Tony Bacon
by Jay Scott and Vic Pra
guitar from different angles than their first book.
Bacon is a prolific writer of all books guitar!
This was the first book that I added to my
This is another book that I would recommend.
This 2014 book is printed on glossy paper
collection in 1994. It features mostly B&W
Hardbound.
with the most verbiage of any of the previous
pictures, with descriptions and serial numbers
127 pages.
books, but still having lots of pictures. He
of a number of ‘Bursts known at that time.
interviews the players, collectors,
It has a 17-page color section with large
guitar makers, and dealers to give a
pictures of the bodies. A nice book to have,
novel approach to the history of the
but I highly recommend the next book in
Sunburst Gibson guitar and why it is
this review. Softbound. 120 pages.
one of the greatest guitars in history.
Reading this book makes one want
THE BEAUTY OF THE ‘BURST (GIBSON
to start buying lottery tickets in hopes
SUNBURST LES PAULS FROM ’58 TO ’60)
of winning a pot large enough to buy
by Yasuhiko Iwanade
a real ‘Burst! A very interesting and
This is my favorite book, published in 1996.
recommended book.
It has great pictures of 86 of the Les Paul
Softbound. 143 Pages.
‘Bursts in private collections, showing
the serial numbers and the guitars from
48
Jul Aug 2016
CollectibleGuitar.com