Guitar Player Repair Guide: How to Set Up, Maintain and Repair Electrics and Acoustics by Dan Erlewine (2007, Other, Mixed media product)

Indispensable reference work

There's a good reason this book was reissued a few times. Originally, I got the 2nd version and it was so good that I acquired the next 3rd release when it went out for sale.

Everything in this book says about the vast experience of the author behind this work. I keep turning to it every time I need to fix something. The solution might be something simple that is easy to come up with on my own but it's always nice to consider the other options as well - it's like having a personal counselor luthier with me all the time. Besides, there may be situations when this books spares you from making expensive mistakes - it's better to learn from somebody else's, right?

Overall, a necessary addition for every instrument maker/repair person or a player who wants to know what it takes to make a quality repair or set-up.

This newest edition of Dan Erlewine's repair guide is an improvement over the last edition. One nice feature is the included DVD that shows you some of the techniques and gives useful tips on evaluating guitars. The book has good descriptions and illustrations when needed. Erlewine is good at finding tips to make tricky repairs easier. Overall, if you do work on guitars, even for fun, this book will describe pretty much any repair or adjustment you might need to make.

I got a used electric on Ebay that had horrible intonation. I dug out my old Homespun Tapes video on guitar maintenance & repair only to have the VCR eat the tape. The video was no longer published. I found another nice looking one by the Learn & Master folks--but too expensive. So....Back to Ebay. The seller "1dayx" had a copy of this & for about 1/3 the price of one of the DVD's, I got this book which comes with a video CD. Set up problems solved with a book AND video examples.

Even more, this book is really comprehensive, covering both acoustic and electric guitars. With the video examples, I'm now able to do my own basic set up & maintenance. GREAT VALUE!

This book is for anyone who simply wants to know more about guitars or how to set up and repair their own. Really takes the mystery out of proper set up answering the whys and hows. Has clear markings of skill sets to help you decide weather or not you could do a certain step of a repair or set up yourself. At the very least you will get a good idea of what will be done by someone you pay to do the work. Over all clear and quality information about acoustics and electrics. From general repairs-setup and even wiring and hot rodding(new pickups and wiring). I really feel I will be going to this book at least as long as continue picking up or at least look at my guitars. Highly Recommended.

I needed a repair book that I can use in my shop that is tried and true. Got to have this book. Very easy to follow and Dan is a great teacher. This book is above all the repair books that I have read.