Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments from Stage to Studio - Hardcover

Babiuk, Andy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1617130990 ISBN 13: 9781617130991

Publisher: Backbeat, 2015

Synopsis

This ultimate guide to all the gear used by the Beatles details exactly which guitars, drums, amplifiers, and keyboards the Fab Four embraced throughout their brief but revolutionary career, from their earliest days as the Quarry Men to the dissolution of the Beatles in 1970. It provides fascinatingly fresh insights into Beatle history, exploding myths and uncovering dozens of new stories along the way. John, Paul, George, and Ringo's moves from cheap early instruments to the pick of 1960s technology are carefully and entertainingly documented in an easy-to-read narrative, fully illustrated with many previously unseen photographs, a cache of rare memorabilia, and a unique collection of specially photographed instruments used by the Beatles.

As we continue to find new ways to explore their sound, from vivid remasters of their original recordings to cutting-edge video games, the Beatles remain at the forefront of popular music. 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. With a foreword by acclaimed Beatle author Mark Lewisohn, Beatles Gear tells it like it was.

About this title

About the Author:

Andy Babiuk (Rochester, NY) is a musician, writer, producer, and founding member of the Chesterfield Kings. He has been a professional in the music industry for more than 30 years and is the owner of the boutique music shop Andy Babiuk's Fab Gear. He is currently in the band the Empty Hearts, featuring Elliot Easton from the Cars on lead guitar, Clem Burke from Blondie on drums, and Wally Palmar from the Romantics on lead vocals and rhythm guitar. The Empty Hearts LP was released worldwide on 429/Universal Records in August 2014.

Review:

''Gear heads, rejoice: Beatles instrument expert Babiuk returns with an expanded edition of his acclaimed reference book. In addition to the original material, the author has added over 650 new photos and more stories behind the group's iconic guitars, drums, pianos, amps, and more.'' --Something Else Reviews

''The original Beatles Gear book was published back in 2001 and, over the past decade-and-a-half, it's become the go-to bible for anyone with an interest in the extensive equipment the Fab Four dabbled with during their incredible albeit brief career.
The new expanded Ultimate Edition, which has recently hit the shops, provides fascinating new interviews, 650 new and previously unpublished photos and a slew of surprising recent gear-related discoveries that author Andy Babiuk has helped uncover.'' --Music Radar

''For devoted fans, gear collectors, and anyone else with a hankering for Fab Four gear knowledge, it doesn't get much better than this.'' - Guitar Aficionado

''Babiuk has rightly become the go-to guy for Beatle instrument authentication; such is his extraordinary expertise in the subject. But what's most pleasing about Beatles Gear is that it isn't geeky in the least (though geeks are well catered for!), presented as a highly readable book, rammed with nuggets, anecdotes and insight, as well as mountains of great photos, including a strip of snaps from the least-well-trodden of Beatle tales the making of Abbey Road and little stories such as when driver Alf Bicknell had to break it to George Harrison that his prized Gretsch had fallen off the back of their car and under a lorry. The only mystery is why they didn't call it Fab Gear.'' - Record Collector Magazine

''With huge photos and great gear shots, the engagingly written Beatles Gear Ultimate Edition is equally likely to appeal to Beatles fans, gear hounds, engineers, and those interested in world history and how it shapes pop culture. Beatles Gear is massive, with thick paper stock, glossy pages, and a sturdy cover. It's obvious that a tremendous amount of research went into this, and it couldn't have been done without contributions and input from people within the Beatles' organization. Informative and entertaining, and with a impressive amount of photos of rare instruments (including shots of the actual instruments used by the band, many of which have never been published before), it's a visual delight as well. Whether you read it cover to cover, browse through the various chapters randomly, or use it as a research tool, it's bound to entertain, elucidate, and delight. It really is the definitive volume on all the gear used by four young chaps from the UK who happened to change the world forever.'' --Harmony Central

About this edition

• Publisher: Backbeat
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1617130990
• ISBN 13: 9781617130991
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 512