Blue Guitar

by Ken Vose, Leslie Jean-Bart (Photographs), George Benson (Foreword)

Shortly before his death in 1995, Jimmy D'Aquisto - then, as now, considered the greatest guitarmaker of all time -- built a lightning blue archtop guitar, the D'Aquisto Centura Deluxe, hailed as a masterpiece for its profound simplicity, sensuous lines, and mythical blue color. That guitar inspired its owner, collector Scott Chinery, to challenge 22 of the world's finest luthiers to create their own interpretation of the Blue Guitar. The result is perhaps the greatest collection of archtop guitars ever made. Blue Guitar captures the unique beauty of this unparalleled collection with gorgeous photographs, a cutting-edge design and layout that echoes the lean sensousness of the guitars, and interviews with the guitarmakers, many of whom have dedicated their lives to finding the place where art, craft, and music converge.

132 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

You probably have to be a guitar player, but I am, and I loved this book. My only disappointment is that all the guitars are not by Jimmy D'Aquisto. He elevated the art of arch- top luthiery to another level. We miss you Jimmy!

[Craig Beyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent documentary on the 22 arch top guitars Scott Chinery commissioned from premier luthiers. It includes photos of each of the guitars as well as close-ups of parts. I had the opportunity to see the guitars when they were on display at the Smithsonian museums and to hear some of them in a one-off concert at Wolftrap (The National Park for the Performing Arts). If you’re a fan of guitars, particularly arch top guitars, you should read this book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Chinnery commissioned 22 guitars to be made by the worlds finest luthiers as a tribute to Jimmy D'Aquisto's blue Centura Deluxe, one of the last guitars he built. The only stipulation Scott made was that the 22 guitars be blue.
This was a stunning exercise in artistic patronage. 22 works of art are documented in this book. Try to take a look.