With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars

by Jonathan Kellerman

For thirty-five years, bestselling author and accomplished musician Jonathan Kellerman has been, as he puts it in his Introduction to this lavishly illustrated, endlessly fascinating volume, “chasing fabulous sound.” The result of that quest is a world-class collection of guitars, mandolins, and other stringed instruments that number more than 120 . . . and counting.

Kellerman takes us on a fascinating guided tour through his collection, complete with rich personal histories of his favorite instruments and of the brilliant, often eccentric craftsmen and musicians who brought them to life. It is a record of one man’s lifelong love affair with the guitar . . . and it is much, much more.

Whether writing about household names such as Fender, Gibson, Martin, and Dobro or about marques revered by aficionados–D’Angelico, Hauser, Stromberg, and Torres–Kellerman brings to bear the same sure storytelling instincts and keen attention to detail that characterize his bestselling fiction, making each entry a sparkling mini-essay as much to be savored as the sensual photographs that follow.

Your fingers won’t be walking through With Strings Attached. They’ll be strumming. Picking. Stroking.

And dancing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2008

Reviews

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonathan Kellerman presents a beautiful collection of guitars that he has accumulated over the years. What makes the collection impressive is the range of instruments. Usually books of this type feature 1958 Les Paul's and Stratocasters, and while these are great to look at, here we are treated to many interesting acoustic offerings including classical guitars by the likes of Hauser and masterpieces by D'Angelico. There are some nice anecdotes on how the guitars wound up in his collection. Although it is an impressive collection, it always makes me a little sad to see so many guitars in the possession of one person… who isn't a full time musician and could really do justice with them.

[Kung Tsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read and a great historical perspective into the makers of these guitars. The collection is overwhelming and I am jealous no less.

[Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this for the curiosity-factor but this is a stunning book filled w/ gorgeous photos and the loving stories associated w/ each guitar in Kellerman's astonishing collection.

[Mitchell Rubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love classic guitars you will want to own this beautiful picture book.

[Richard Gombert · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely collection.