An “odd-shaped” history of Gibson’s weird electric guitars by Tony Bacon
Backbeat Books, publisher of books for performers and fans who are passionate about music, has publishedFlying V, Explorer, Firebird ($24.99). In this new book, venerable music author Tony Bacon shows how a trio of radical guitar designs triumphed over commercial failure to inspire a new generation of makers and players to become the look of choice for the modern metal guitarist.

Until the launch of the Flying V and Explorer in 1958, electric guitars were supposed to look like...guitars. Suddenly, Gibson turned conventional design upside down, almost literally, by using straight lines and angular body shapes, changing the way electrics could look and, in the process, creating a set of rare future collectables. 

Flying V, Explorer, Firebird tells the story of those first peculiar instruments and goes on to describe Gibson's second attempt at nonstandard designs with the Firebird of the early '60s. The book shows how most of these were a commercial failure at first and goes on to detail the influence of the designs on guitar-makers such as Hamer, Jackson, Dean, Ibanez, and BC Rich, all of whom embraced Gibson's original weird-is-good design ethic. In parallel with the story of the makers is an absorbing account of the players who discovered these odd-shaped instruments, including Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Edge (U2), and Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick). 

Exclusive interviews with players like Billy Gibbons, Michael Schenker, K.K. Downing, Johnny Winter and more illuminate the story of this fascinating assortment of electric guitar innovations, alongside specially commissioned images of every key model and brand and an enviable collection of guitar memorabilia, plus a gallery of leading guitarists photographed in action with their instruments. If it's weird and has strings, it's inFlying V, Explorer, Firebird. 

About the Author:
Tony Bacon writes about music, musicians, and musical instruments. He is a co-founder of Backbeat UK and Jawbone Press. His many books include Million Dollar Les Paul, The History Of The American Guitar, and The Ultimate Guitar Book. He lives in Bristol, England.   

Flying V, Explorer, Firebird
Backbeat Books, an imprint of Hal Leonard 
June 2011 
Paperback original 
144 pages, 8.5” x 11” 
$14.99, ISBN 978-1-61713-008-3 
www.halleonardbooks.com