The Story of Paul Bigsby by Andy Babiuk (2009, Package)

This book is well worth any amount that it is listed at.

For a long time I can remember hearing the name Bigsby and always equating it to that weird looking tailpiece on a Gretch Guitar. Paul Bigsby is probably the True Father of the Modern Solid Body Guitar. Now if you know your history there have been other attempts to create a non-acoustic instruments only amplified by a electromagnetic pickup (and I don't mean Lap-steels) dating as far back as the 1910's (Loyd Loar), but no one else can be better argued as the man that truely ushered in a new era.

Paul Bigsby is the man that created that famous headstock that Fender ripped off.

Paul Bigsby is the man that designed the original Les Paul body shape.

Paul Bigsby is the man that used "Neck-thru" construction well before Rickenbacker.

Paul Bigsby is the man that created the Lap Steel guitar as we know it today.

Paul Bigsby is the flashpoint in which all the other major standards of the Electric Guitar World have hailed from... But refuse to acknowledge.

Fortunately "PA" (as he was better known) never let the chips get him down. One way or another Bigsby made his way thru the world ending his career with a arguably unequaled Vibrato Tailpiece that still carries his name sake.

This book is wonderfully put together. Full color pictures with details and acknowledgments to keep any fact hunter happy. Not to say the least about the three page full-body fold out with super sharp photos that make me wish there was a scratch and sniff sticker to gain the full experience.

As if this well put together hard cover where not good enough, at the very last cover you'll find a CD. Contained in it is actual recordings (of his voice) made by Paul Bigsby himself to friends and loved ones.

I can't say how much I love this book. As a struggling Luthier in tough economic times it gives me strength to see a man like Paul Bigsby with what he had gone thru never gave up and kept moving forward. He not only took the bull by the horns, he grabbed it by the nuts and kicked it out of his workshop.

Ever since this book I don't think I've ever been so creative.

This book is a must for all guitar enthuiasists.a great American story with tons of great pics.a good education for the guitar builder and artist alike.
Vaughn Mitchell
stagetech/tour driver