Get your autographed deluxe hardcover copy of The Story Of Paul Bigsby by Andy Babiuk book from Fab Gear!
Press Release January 2009
Fred Gretsch Enterprises publishes
The Story of Paul Bigsby: Father of the Modern Electric Solidbody Guitar
On January 15th, at the 2009 winter NAMM convention in Anaheim, California, Fred Gretsch Enterprises will release a new book entitled The Story of Paul Bigsby: Father of the Modern Electric Solidbody Guitar. The book is written by Andy Babiuk, author of the critically acclaimed book Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four’s Equipment, From Stage to Studio.
In this well researched book, that will undoubtedly raise some controversy, the author re-writes guitar history proving factually that Paul Bigsby was truly the father of the modern solidbody electric guitar. Most musicians are familiar with the famous Bigsby Vibrato, but not as many know about the wonderful guitars that Paul Bigsby built in the 1940s. Bigsby, who was responsible for developing and refining the pedal steel guitar, also built the first modern solid body electric guitar for Merle Travis in 1948, predating Leo Fender and Gibson’s Les Paul by a number of years. The Story of Paul Bigsby tells the untold story of how Bigsby influenced Fender and Gibson, as well as a number of other guitar manufacturers, in building techniques and design. This deluxe, well illustrated coffee table book contains over 300 color and black and white photos. Many of these have not previously been published, and over 50 are actual Bigsby instrument photos taken by fine arts photographer Greg Morgan. The book also comes with an audio CD of Paul Bigsby, recorded in the late 1950s, telling stories of his business.
The Story of Paul Bigsby is the first title published by Fred Gretsch Enterprises under the FG Publishing imprint. The hardcover trade edition of the book will be distributed worldwide by Hal Lenard Publishing and retail for $40 US. A deluxe edition of the book with a special embossed leather bound cover, gilded gold edges, cloth woven bookmark, autographed by Fred Gretsch and packaged in a special clothbound commemorative Bigsby clam-shell box will be available in a limited edition direct from Fred Gretsch Enterprises / Bigsby.com and will retail for $100 US.
About the author
Andy Babiuk is a musician, writer, has been a professional in the music industry for more than 25 years and is the owner of a boutique music shop Andy Babiuk’s Fab Gear. He is a staff consultant to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and consultant to major auction houses in London and New York. Babiuk is the author of the critically acclaimed and best-selling book Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four’s Equipment, From Stage to Studio. He has become the foremost authority on the equipment used to create the Beatles’ music. Andy and co-writter, bandmate Greg Prevost are working on a follow up to Beatles Gear entitled Stones Gear – a history of the equipment used by The Rolling Stones. Babiuk and Prevost have written, performed and produced multiple albums and continues to tour throughout the world with their popular band The Chesterfield Kings. The Story of Paul Bigsby: Father of the Modern Electric Solidbody Guitar is Babiuk’s second book. Andy lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife, six children and a very large collection of guitars and music memorabilia.
