Rating: 
Summary: A Definitive Work
Review: If you've ever wondered exactly how the Beatles achieved the sounds they did this is the way to find out. Babuik lists every guitar/amp/keyboard/drum set the Fab Four ever played. Just how detailed is it? Well he let's you know, for instance, that take one of "Strawberry Fields Forever" uses the "brass" setting on the mellotron. That's obtained, Babuik tells us, by pushing the station #2 pushbutton, then selecting track "b". Take two was the first to use the "flute" sound (that would be found by pushing the station #1 pushbutton, then selecting track "a"). You get the idea. He even devotes a paragraph to picks. I think the only thing he skipped was the type of guitar polish they used. This book is the definitive look at the Beatles instruments.
Rating: 
Summary: Flawed - but Fab!
Review: Like most fans of everything Beatle, guitar collectors in particular, I had been looking forward to this book for a long time. It's publication had been a much anticipated event in Beatle newsgroups and guitar collector circles for several years. Now that it's finally arrived ... well .....For the most part the book is well researched and well written but what it doesn't contain .... well, there's the rub! There is a plethora of information about drum kits, amplifiers, keyboards and effects used by the Fabs. The problem is with the guitar info. A smattering of new information is revealed regarding the usual Gretsch, Rickenbacker and Hofner instruments. But most everything about these instruments has been available for years and has been discussed ad nauseum by Beatle guitar mavens. For example, contrary to the review by James Bradbury in Acoustic Guitar (#113, May 2002), the fact that it was Harrisons J-160E that was stolen, not Lennon's, is hardly the result of incredible detective work by Babiuk. This fact had been known for years. Most other reviews I've read also tend to credit Babiuk for "discovering" information that has already been well promulgated. The fate of George's first Country Gent, the story behind his Les Paul theft, the creation of "Rocky", tales of the Rosewood Telecaster, etc., etc. -- nothing new here. What I was looking forward to was some deep background on some of the lesser known guitars such as the Gibson ES-345, the SG, Johns' Gretsch Nashville, Paul's Esquire Custom, George's mid 60's sunburst Gibson J-200 with the troublesome tune-o-matic bridge and others. And whatever happened to John's sonic blue strat?? Not much was offered however, most of these pieces barely receiving a paragraph or two of coverage - and what is offered often contained errors. For example, the picture Babiuk offers of George's J-200 is that of a blonde model with a standard bridge saddle, not even close to the model George owned! Often, in fact, he offers more information on guitars they owned but never recorded with than he does on actual "Beatle guitars" - the lengthy treatment on Lennon's Guild 12 string for example. The book is peppered with errors and omissions like this. Even more frustrating is Babiuks description of photos of rare instruments or rare photos of their standard models, yet the pics are not reproduced for the reader! Photo ownership and copyright difficulties perhaps, but very irritating nonetheless!
For the casual Beatle fan or guitar aficionado, this is a fine book, even with it's many problems. But any book about Beatle gear is going to be about guitars! For the collector of Beatle guitars this volume contains much of interest, some new pics, but ultimately falls short of what it should have been.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!!!
Review: My favorite book on The Beatles has always been "The Recording Sessions" by Mark Lewisohn. It has been relaced, now - however remaining a close 2nd - by "Beatles Gear"! This book is for those like me who are not only Beatles enthusiasts, but also musicians who want to know every little bit of info (or, as much info as they can get) on all the instruments, and amps, and drums, etc. that the Beatles used during their career. Being a huge Beatle fan (and musician, as stated already), I thought I had a pretty decent knowledge of their guitars they used. Well..... how little I actually DID know! I learned a few things, already, after only skimming through the book for the first time...... like that George had TWO Gretsch Country Gents that look similar but are different in their switch configurations. Look at the photos provided of George onstage at different shows, and lo and behold! Two different Country Gents! Cool! Other invaluable bits of info for the Beatle fan who must know "everything".... Ringo had three different Ludwig drum sets - with which five different "The Beatles" logo drum heads were used on the kick drum over the few years they toured. Amazing! We all know Paul has had two Hofner violin basses - a '61 and a '63 - of which the '63 model became his main axe..... and we know John had two Rick 325's, the first of which he had painted black, and the second that was black from the start. But, I didn't know he had a 12-string version of his famous black 325! The book is full of great photos of the actual guitars bought and used by John, Paul, and George... and, where an actual guitar could not be located for photographing, an exact model is provided. Equally important, and covered as extensively as the guitars and drums, are the amplifiers.... and the keyboards, as well. I could go on and on, but it would be more fun for you to learn for yourselves! Buy this book!!! I don't know why it took me so long to buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!!!
Review: My favorite book on The Beatles has always been "The Recording Sessions" by Mark Lewisohn. It has been relaced, now - however remaining a close 2nd - by "Beatles Gear"! This book is for those like me who are not only Beatles enthusiasts, but also musicians who want to know every little bit of info (or, as much info as they can get) on all the instruments, and amps, and drums, etc. that the Beatles used during their career. Being a huge Beatle fan (and musician, as stated already), I thought I had a pretty decent knowledge of their guitars they used. Well..... how little I actually DID know! I learned a few things, already, after only skimming through the book for the first time...... like that George had TWO Gretsch Country Gents that look similar but are different in their switch configurations. Look at the photos provided of George onstage at different shows, and lo and behold! Two different Country Gents! Cool! Other invaluable bits of info for the Beatle fan who must know "everything".... Ringo had three different Ludwig drum sets - with which five different "The Beatles" logo drum heads were used on the kick drum over the few years they toured. Amazing! We all know Paul has had two Hofner violin basses - a '61 and a '63 - of which the '63 model became his main axe..... and we know John had two Rick 325's, the first of which he had painted black, and the second that was black from the start. But, I didn't know he had a 12-string version of his famous black 325! The book is full of great photos of the actual guitars bought and used by John, Paul, and George... and, where an actual guitar could not be located for photographing, an exact model is provided. Equally important, and covered as extensively as the guitars and drums, are the amplifiers.... and the keyboards, as well. I could go on and on, but it would be more fun for you to learn for yourselves! Buy this book!!! I don't know why it took me so long to buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Great guitar porn for the discriminating fetishist
Review: Sumptuously rendered photodocumentary of the Fabs' sonic arsenal conclusively proves why Leo Fender once said that the Stratocaster was designed to look like a woman reclining sideways. It's a testament to the enduring greatness of their unique art that we care so much about their paintbrushes (don't hold your breath for a similar effort on behalf of any other band except maybe Van Halen).
Rating:
Summary: It's never enough is it?
Review: The Beatles are a touchstone for many of our lives. The music seems impossible and miraculous. With the still recent release of their demos and outtakes, we have seen that there was a method to the mad genius of their creative 14-year partnership, and mere 7 year recording period. We want to know how they did it and, that tired interview question, "what it was *like"... We want to play the instruments they played to see if there might be any talent in the tool. You'd be shocked at how many Beatle Nerds are walking around out there, many living in the closet, and we want to be able to recite some pretty minute details about how the greatest recordings of the 20th century came to be. This collection features some luscious and rare photos and some satisfying detailed descriptions and back-story. But it is never enough for the ravenous Beatle Backers. Here in my hometown of Los Angeles, CA, many a Beatle-phile knows great Beatle truths that have yet to find their way to print. For instance we know that the Beatles used VOX amps, but did you know that for every major concert, there were Vox technicians backstage to fix or replace these notoriously cranky boxes? We get a hint of that in this book... but do we know which Vox was used on "Paperback Writer"? Which songs got the like-sounding Selmer amp instead? And what of the recording process itself? Which mics were used? What kind of board? What kind of limiters? Lenny Kravits makes a detailed study of these facts in his career of producing his paint-by-numbers deconstructed classic rock. He is famous for knowing and employing the recording secrets to sonically pleasing effect. He actually owns one of the consoles the Fabs recorded with! I want to know what he and his team knows. Babuik's book doesn't get that deep. And for most readers that is probably a mercifully good thing. But from my research, this is only the first in what will probably be an ongoing lineage of increasingly detailed "GEAR GUIDES"... This one is a must for your collection, but be forewarned, it won't be the last, because for the ever-increasing Beatle masses, it's never enough. Beatle Gear will prove to be an "Overview" in coming years as we get more and more of the story. I think that's "FAB"... now buy "BEATLES GEAR" and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Get your copy NOW!
Review: The Christmas present I never got--so I bought my own copy. This book meticulously covers a topic not widely known by a lot of people, even fans of the Fab Four. It's about time someone wrote a book on the instruments and equipment the Beatles used to craft their wonderful songs. The book is a must for a Beatlemaniac's library, those interested in rock music, modern musical instruments, and the recording arts. However, I wish the author could have hired better, more thorough proofreaders, as this edition had a few incorrect spellings (e.g., look for "Geroge" Harrison). In addition, I , too, would like a section that lists the gear they used on each album or song. Despite all this, it's a great read, but it could use a few more tweaks. Maybe the revised (2002) edition will do the trick?
Rating:
Summary: Bang, twang and hum.
Review: The very thing for anyone interested in the instruments all that great music was made on. OK, we guitar/drum/amp lovers may get a little nerdish sometimes, but faced with a labour of love like this vastly entertaining book, who wouldn't? And I write as the owner of a Ludwig Super Classic kit, bought in '68. This book is a joy.
Rating:
Summary: Book fills a rare void in Beatles library
Review: There have been Beatles books written by nearly everyone who ever came within a mile of the group. And many have been written by people who never even came that close! However, Beatles Gear fills a void that previous books rarely touched on: the instruments the Beatles used. While this subject may only appeal to instrument enthusiasts and the most fervent Beatles fan, it does add something valuable to the history of the group. One feels Andy Babiuk really did his research and made an attempt to fully cover every instrument the band owned or played. This book makes a nice suppliment to the "bible" that is Lewisohn's "Recording Sessions." The pictures are (mostly) beautifully rendered and many have not been seen before. While this book is not for everyone, it makes the distinction of being a rare Beatles book that adds to wealth of knowledge already out there.
Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: This book is the perfect companion to the recording guide by Mark Lewishon. So much detail on all the instruments the Beates used and some really gear fab photos that I have never seen before. The only book I am waiting for is a real detailed analysis on the recording gear. This is a book that George Martin and Geoff Emerick should undertake before it is too late. That would be a killer for sure!
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