Despised as an aberration when it appeared in the 1930s, the electric guitar won credibility by the 40s - and in the 50s it started to change the musical world. This is the story of how it was invented, how it developed and how it electrified popular music. Examples of the key models have been sourced, profiled and photographed to capture their design and character, and to explain how the way they were put together affects the way they play and sound. Profiles include pioneering models such as the Gibson ES150, classics like the Strat, Telecaster and Les Paul, the new generation Paul Reed Smith and the Parker Artist, plus revival and reissue instruments such as America's Danelectro. The book also tells how each great guitarist, from Charlie Christian to Jimi Hendrix to Kurt Cobain, changed the way the instrument was used, and it includes a visual glossary, explaining each element that defines the sound of an electric guitar.

Dave Burrluck is technical adviser and writer of the new profiles for the book. Other contributors to the first edition include, Charles Shaar-Murray, John Seabury, Tony Bacon, Tom Wheeler, Douglas J Noble and Paul Day. Paul Trynka is the editor of the book, the founding editor of The Guitar Magazine and currently editorial director of Mojo magazine. He has published books on The Blues and on the History of Denim.