Stars and Their Guitars (review)

If I had been given the task of writing the title for this DVD I would have chosen, “The History of the Development and Manufacture of the Electric Guitar.” That certainly is the main story to which we are introduced in this fascinating and effectively presented 155-minute documentary. Yes, famous guitarists are interviewed for the purpose of disclosing why they have chosen their particular makes and models of instruments, but the real stars of this story are the guitars. We learn about the instruments that made their players famous and how and why they are built.

Gibson and Fender are certainly the principal companies that come to mind when one thinks of electric guitars manufactured in the United States, and those are the instruments that this DVD features primarily. Representatives of both manufacturers review the history of their companies. We learn how Leo Fender and Les Paul labored as pioneers leading the way with innovative designs that drove each company forward into an age of new music. Both of these inventors were trying to help guitarists of their time to move beyond the position of accompanist in bands’ rhythm sections by giving them the volume and projection they needed to solo.

As the unique features of each company’s instruments are described, we are shown captivating behind-the-scenes footage of the manufacturing processes. This is supplemented with close-up shots of some of the fine hand craftsmanship needed to produce the companies’ specialty models. It is a particular treat to hear about the materials used to give each of these guitars its distinctive character. Viewers are introduced to why and how alder, ash, poplar, hard rock maple, and rosewood are used to give electric guitars the characteristics required by performing musicians.

But doesn’t it mention the pickups? That’s what makes it an electric guitar! Yes indeed, we see pickups being manufactured. They are wrapped with the approximately 5,000 coils of wire which allow them to emit the electromagnetic field used to transmit the sound of the strings to the amplifier. The Fender brand pick-up is compared to the Gibson Company’s “humbucker” model to allow the viewer to see and hear how those two standard designs differ from each other in function and tone.

So, just who are the “stars” referred to in the title? The viewer will not be disappointed with this aspect of the DVD either. B.B. King, Les Paul, Peter Frampton, Roger McGuinn, Scotty Moore, Duane Eddy, Slash, Joe Satriani, Nancy Wilson, and many more step forward to enlighten us as to why they chose their particular instrument. (There are even special bonus chapters dealing with the Beatles, Bo Didley and vintage guitar collecting.)

This fine film certainly deserves its Route 66 Film Festival’s award for Best Feature Documentary. Not only is this an extremely informative presentation but it also features rich, full-sounding audio complemented with crisp, bright video quality and clean editing. The camera zooms in for close-up shots just when we need it to illustrate what the narrators are discussing. This is certainly a fine DVD to add to a library’s collection for those wishing to explore the history and development of our country’s obsession with the electric guitar.