Out NOW INTERNATIONALLY...New
Second EditionBeatles Gear is the first to tell the full story of how the Beatles made their music.
It details exactly which guitars, drums, amplifiers and keyboards the Beatles used at the key points of their relatively brief but entirely revolutionary career...from the formation of the Quarry Men skiffle group in the 1950s to the dissolution of the Beatles in 1970.
It provides a fascinating fresh insight into Beatle history from an entirely new viewpoint, and along the way many myths are exploded and dozens of stories told for the first time.
John, Paul, George and Ringo's moves from cheap early instruments to the pick of 1960s technology is carefully and entertainingly documented in an easy to read narrative, fully illustrated with many unseen photographs, a cache of rare memorabilia, and a unique collection of specially photographed actual Beatle instruments.
This landmark book is perfect for the fan absorbed by music rather than hairstyles, for the tribute band member with an eye for detail, and for any reader with an abiding interest in the 1960s.
At last, Beatles Gear gets right inside the music. More than this, the book paints a vivid picture of the times, presenting new interviews with the people who made, sold and looked after the band's gear. With Beatles albums still selling at the rate of thousands a day throughout the world, and renewed industry interest in the value of the band's published portfolio, Beatles Gear arrives on the market with perfect timing.
Hundreds of photographs, many never before seen, will be a revelation to even the most informed Beatles enthusiast. Also shown in luscious quality throughout the book are 26 of the group's original instruments, still owned by ex-members of The Beatles or their heirs ...from George's psychedelic Strat to John's Bed In Gibson, and Ringo's roof top Ludwig kit to Paul's Hofner violin bass.
And while many other items used by the group have been lost, broken or damaged, exhaustive research has allowed the presentation here of 43 virtually exact duplicates of otherwise defunct Beatle instruments and gear. Prime advertising and publicity material provide an extra flavour of the period and complete this unique examination of the sound of the fab four.
The Beatles have had an unparalleled influence on the music of the past 40 years. And still today much rock music lends a retro ear to the group's distinctive sounds and unique orchestrations not to mention the many tribute bands around the world who keep the flame burning. This fascinating documentary will become required reading for anyone keen to gain an expert's inside knowledge of The Beatles sound.
For more info visit the "BEATLES
GEAR" web site.
Some Press from the critically acclaimed Beatles Gear...
Playboy
"To make sure [your gift books] end up on coffeetables...here's
our guide to the best, [including] Beatles Gear..."
Mojo
"Beatle books
these days fall into three broad categories: A) specialist examination
of underdeveloped area; B) lofty pontification; C) general reorganisation
/ regurgitation. Top of the A - list here is the revised paperback
version of Andy Babiuk's tremendous Beatles Gear which brilliantly
plugs a gap in the Fabs minutiae. It's fetishist devotion to the
boys' Bigsby tremolo arms and Rogers' Swivo-matic drum mounts,
coupled with the porn-glamorous photography and rare anecdotes
is intoxicating"
Mark Lewisohn, renowned Beatles expert, author of The Beatles
Recording Sessions and of the Beatles Gear foreword
"An authoritative guide to The Beatles' equipment...Babiuk
shows himself to be a persistent researcher and a writer of clarity."
From Library Journal
Babiuk takes a unique approach to the Beatles' story by documenting
the history of their music equipment. The Beatles are forever
associated with particular instruments, and thoughts of them immediately
conjure images of John's Rickenbacker, George's large, hollow-bodied
Gretsch, Paul's signature custom Hofner violin bass (the first
left-handed bass the company ever produced), and Ringo on a Ludwig
drum kit. Babiuk begins with Lennon's first guitar in 1956 and
follows through to the band's final 1969 sessions at the Abbey
Road studios. As he shows, their choice of instruments were outlets
for their personalities and creativity, and they selected a particular
make and model for its individual sound, used that sound to its
fullest, and then progressed to the next. Though dubbed "the
quiet one," Harrison proved the maverick, continually experimenting
with guitars and instruments from other nationalities, leading
to the important Eastern influence on the Beatles' music. Babiuk
provides marvelous technical detail on all of the Fab Four's gear,
with numerous photos of either their own instruments or identical
models. A fresh perspective on the group's well-documented history
will appeal to hardcore fans and interested lay readers alike.
Michael Rogers, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
San Jose Mercury News
"The ultimate Beatles fanatic book."
Tower Records' Pulse! magazine
"A lavish celebration of every known piece of musical
equipment [The Beatles] used...large and colorful...well-researched..."
Chicago Tribune
"May be the ultimate specialized study of The Beatles...the
sheer mass of information is impressive...the pictures...are fab."
Mondo Gordo
"A sure bet to be a 'must-have' under the Christmas tree
for any rabid Beatles fan."
Boston Globe
"The 'gift book'...a luxury item...to be held and admired....
Beatles Gear provides a history of their sound."
The Ithaca Journal
"The folks at Backbeat Books have a well-earned reputation...this
year, they've got more 'must-have' additions, [including] Beatles
Gear."
Rochester Democrat and Chonicle
"A big, slick, exhaustively researched exploration of
what made The Beatles sound like The Beatles."
For more info visit the "BEATLES GEAR" web site.
Related Info......
The Gibson Guitars Company, in cooperation with Yoko Ono, released a set of John Lennon Limited Edition Gibson J-160E acoustic guitars. Andy worked closely with Gibson on this project as a consultant and researcher. Master Luthier Ren Ferguson and Andy were given permission by Yoko Ono to examine, measure and detail John Lennon's actual Gibson J-160E so that an exact reproduction could be made. Check out The Evolution That Created A Revolution a historic look at John Lennon's J-160E. The story was written by Andy and can be found on the Gibson Web Site...