100 books like Electric Guitar Making & Marketing

By Leo Lospennato,

Here are 100 books that Electric Guitar Making & Marketing fans have personally recommended if you like Electric Guitar Making & Marketing. Shepherd is a community of 11,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Book cover of Making an Archtop Guitar

R.M. Mottola Author Of Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar

From my list on building stringed musical instruments.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been building guitars and related instruments since 1994. My enthusiasm for guitar construction led me to deeply explore all aspects of the art and to share as much information as I can with others via my lutherie information website, writing for American Lutherie, published books, and my research publications. I am fortunate to count myself among those that consider building stringed musical instruments to be one of the best things one can do.

R.M.'s book list on building stringed musical instruments

R.M. Mottola Why did R.M. love this book?

One of the living legends of builders of archtop guitars, Bob Benedetto describes his personal construction methods in this excellent book.

Although some aspects of guitar building are common among all types of guitars, archtop guitars have an architecture that borrows a lot from the violin family. Building this style of instrument offers unique challenges, and this book describes the entire process in exquisite detail. This is where many modern builders of archtop guitars got their start.

By Robert Benedetto,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Making an Archtop Guitar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(Book). The definitive work on the design and construction of an acoustic archtop guitar, this updated second edition features 288 pages of content, including 24 color pages and 4 tear-outs. See what industry greats have said about this book: "I know of no other work offering comprehensive step by step coverage of the making of an acoustic jazz guitar." George Gruhn "This book is for everyone who loves woodworking, loves guitars, appreciates artistry, and believes that organic materials like spruce, maple and ebony can only achieve their highest function through the hands of a craftsman." Howard Paul "I can think…


Book cover of The Ukulele: An Illustrated Workshop Manual

R.M. Mottola Author Of Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar

From my list on building stringed musical instruments.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been building guitars and related instruments since 1994. My enthusiasm for guitar construction led me to deeply explore all aspects of the art and to share as much information as I can with others via my lutherie information website, writing for American Lutherie, published books, and my research publications. I am fortunate to count myself among those that consider building stringed musical instruments to be one of the best things one can do.

R.M.'s book list on building stringed musical instruments

R.M. Mottola Why did R.M. love this book?

Ukuleles are very popular instruments and it is no surprise that many people would love to make one for themselves.

This book has all the qualities of a great construction book; attention to detail, clear presentation, and optimal construction techniques. The author has honed these skills over the course of his instrument building career and his career as an author of lutherie (the art of building stringed musical instruments) books.

The book includes links to beautifully drawn downloadable plans for a number of ukuleles. Want to build a ukulele? This is the book to get.

By Graham McDonald,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Ukulele as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Ukulele is the first comprehensive book on building all styles of ukulele, from the little soprano ukuleles of 19th century Hawai’i to concert, tenor and baritone sizes. The book will lead the first-time ukulele builder through the various steps of crafting a ukulele with detailed written information complemented by nearly 350 photographs and diagrams. Full size plans of all the ukuleles are available to download and print. A full list of tools, hardware and timber required is included. The first chapters are devoted to making the individual parts of a ukulele. These are followed by chapters which focus on…


Book cover of Dangerous Curves: The Art of the Guitar

R.M. Mottola Author Of Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar

From my list on building stringed musical instruments.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been building guitars and related instruments since 1994. My enthusiasm for guitar construction led me to deeply explore all aspects of the art and to share as much information as I can with others via my lutherie information website, writing for American Lutherie, published books, and my research publications. I am fortunate to count myself among those that consider building stringed musical instruments to be one of the best things one can do.

R.M.'s book list on building stringed musical instruments

R.M. Mottola Why did R.M. love this book?

There is nothing that enhances the process of building guitars more than having a solid foundation in the history of the instrument.

Although there are a number of excellent guitar histories available, few offer as clear and accessible information as this book does. The book is the catalog of a traveling museum show about guitars that was curated by the author at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

It is lavishly illustrated, and contains just the right amount of text on the subject to keep the reader engaged. No builder of stringed musical instruments should be without this book.

By Darcy Kuronen,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dangerous Curves as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"The guitar and the dog, in order not to be separated from man, have submitted themselves with resignation to the worst alterations of size and appearance." Andres Segovia


Book cover of Technology of the Guitar

R.M. Mottola Author Of Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar

From my list on building stringed musical instruments.

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been building guitars and related instruments since 1994. My enthusiasm for guitar construction led me to deeply explore all aspects of the art and to share as much information as I can with others via my lutherie information website, writing for American Lutherie, published books, and my research publications. I am fortunate to count myself among those that consider building stringed musical instruments to be one of the best things one can do.

R.M.'s book list on building stringed musical instruments

R.M. Mottola Why did R.M. love this book?

Most builders of stringed musical instruments desire some information about how the instruments they build actually produce sound.

The problem of producing a book on the subject is that it is highly technical and as such largely inaccessible. Mark French’s work expertly addresses this issue. The result is a work that is as accessible as possible and also complete and technically accurate.

The author has the perfect background for a work like this. He is a professor of engineering technology, and he uses guitar design and construction as the basis of teaching his highly popular courses on STEM subjects.

By Richard Mark French,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Technology of the Guitar as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Featuring chapters on physics, structure, sound and design specifics, Technology of the Guitar also includes coverage of historical content, composition of strings and their effects on sound quality, and important designs. Additionally, author Mark French discusses case studies of historically significant and technologically innovative instruments.

This is a complete reference useful for a broad range of readers including guitar manufacturer employees, working luthiers, and interested guitar enthusiasts who do not have a science or engineering background.


Book cover of Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd

Alex Budak Author Of Becoming a Changemaker: An Actionable, Inclusive Guide to Leading Positive Change at Any Level

From my list on books for recent graduates.

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m a faculty member at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. I put my heart and soul into creating and teaching the course Becoming a Changemaker which teaches students how to lead positive change, to go beyond themselves, and to live a life of impact. I spend countless hours meeting 1-1 with students throughout the semester, helping them think through big life decisions and encouraging them to create a life that they are proud of. I also know how to support students in making big decisions in a way that’s true to who they are, the person that they hope to become, and the impact they can make in the world.  

Alex's book list on books for recent graduates

Alex Budak Why did Alex love this book?

This is my surprise pick! It’s technically a book about marketing and branding strategy written by one of the leading experts in the field (a Harvard Professor). But it is absolutely filled with life lessons, large and small, about how you can stand out, question the status quo, and go your own way (even when the pressure to conform is strong). You’ll walk away with new insights on marketing and branding, but more importantly, you’ll get new insights about creating a life and career that you can be proud of.  

By Youngme Moon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Different as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and…


Book cover of Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World

Dario Sipos Author Of Digital Personal Branding: The Essential Guide to Online Personal Branding in the Digital Age

From my list on personal branding in a digitally connected world.

Why am I passionate about this?

When you have online influence, you have the ability to transform minds, behaviors, and outcomes. Dario Sipos is a Digital Marketing Strategist, Branding Expert, Keynote Public Speaker, Business Columnist, and author of the highly acclaimed books Digital Personal Branding and Digital Retail Marketing. Dario has spent significant time working all over the world in the digital field, helping clients and developing brands. He helps leaders influence positive outcomes in all directions, even under the most difficult, changing conditions. Dario will help you build your influence in all directions of your online presence.

Dario's book list on personal branding in a digitally connected world

Dario Sipos Why did Dario love this book?

One of the most crucial elements of my marketing journey was to understand the use of “hooks” that clever brands build into their products and messages. I found this book explains the most effective strategies to bring innovation to your business while scaling it to become an influential brand both online and offline. Because social media reshaped our world in a way that people have short attention spans, from the book I learned how to grab potential audiences’ attention by communicating effectively. The book is an excellent guide on succeeding with brand communication in our short attention span world, so highly recommended to everyone.

By Brendan Kane,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Hook Point as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World, by out of the box thinker Brendan Kane, breaks down the most effective strategies to generate new opportunities, innovate and scale your business, and create a compelling brand-both online and off-so you can thrive in the new micro-attention world in which we live.

A lot of people know who they are, what they do, and a few even know why they do it-but even when brands or individuals have clarity in these areas, they often struggle to grab a potential audience's attention for long enough to get them to learn…


Book cover of Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy

Nataly Kelly Author Of Take Your Company Global: The New Rules of International Expansion

From my list on books for global business leaders.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love helping companies unlock global growth. As a child, I spent my free time writing letters to pen pals in countries around the world. That passion for communicating across borders, languages, and cultures never went away. I’ve spent most of my life working to overcome those barriers in business. I frequently write about international business for Harvard Business Review, and in my latest book, in which I share lessons learned as an operator and executive at HubSpot, where I led international strategy. Today, I’m the Chief Marketing Officer at Zappi, a tech company with employees in 16 countries. 

Nataly's book list on books for global business leaders

Nataly Kelly Why did Nataly love this book?

Inclusive marketing and culture to help companies create lasting business and social impact?

This book was written by a brand strategist and cultural theorist who works at Reddit, and it speaks straight to my heart as a marketing executive in technology. What I love most are the examples from leading brands, such as Microsoft, Unilever, Pinterest, Nike, and P&G. I also appreciated the examples from marketing leaders from Dentsu, Edelman, Digitas, WPP, and others.

What I really enjoy about this book is that it presents an entire system to help marketers understand how to embed cultural fluency into various aspects of their marketing strategies.

By Anastasia Karklina Gabriel,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Cultural Intelligence for Marketers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Brands not only reflect culture but actively shape societal norms and values. Move beyond performative inclusive marketing and drive the cultural conversation. A brand today can build a marketing strategy that not only effectively resonates with audiences but also meaningfully impacts society at large. Learn how to produce inclusive marketing using an approach grounded in critical perspectives on society and the impact brands wield in shaping it. In this book, cultural theorist and strategist Anastasia Karklina Gabriel draws on social analysis, media theory, and semiotics to help marketers improve cultural fluency and future-proof brand strategy by embedding equity and inclusion…


Book cover of Be the Gateway: A Practical Guide to Sharing Your Creative Work and Engaging an Audience

Mary Helen Sheriff Author Of Launch Pad: The Countdown to Marketing Your Book

From my list on authors who want to sell more books.

Why am I passionate about this?

I believe that people need stories and book marketing done well can help readers find the stories they need to craft a more hope-filled, compassionate, and meaningful life. The authors I meet are sharp and creative, but many don’t have experience with book marketing. I find coaching authors to amplify their platforms is a rewarding way to support the community. My front-row seat to watching my clients’ dreams become reality is so inspiring. This book was a collaboration of book marketing experts, whom I admire, and I was so honored they agreed to share their insights with our readers. 

Mary Helen's book list on authors who want to sell more books

Mary Helen Sheriff Why did Mary Helen love this book?

Writing, publishing, and marketing a book is hard. One of the biggest hurdles for me is my mindset.

Be the Gateway offered me a path to finding my creative why and using that to focus my creativity and my marketing efforts. If you find the creative life a struggle, this book can help you reclaim your excitement.

By Dan Blank,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Be the Gateway as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Many people feel the drive to do creative work, but get overwhelmed by the process of connecting with an audience. They follow best practices in marketing that never seem to pan out, don t produce results, and make them feel lost and oftentimes, frustrated. Be the Gateway offers a powerful way to have an impact. If you want to share your voice and inspire people with your writing, art, craft, or creative idea, you have to be the gateway for them. Instead of throwing products out into the marketplace, you open them up to a new way of looking at…


Book cover of The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk!

Stephen McGarvey Author Of Ignite a Shift: Engaging Minds, Guiding Emotions and Driving Behavior

From my list on the power of ideas and positive thinking.

Why am I passionate about this?

I wasn’t always a reader. Diagnosed with a learning disorder in elementary school, I hated reading and school. Eventually, I discovered my passion for psychology, neurolinguistics, and persuasion and influence, and have now become a lifelong reader! Through my boutique consulting firm Solutions In Mind, my colleagues and I have been coaching executive teams to make the changes required to improve sales, organizational behavior, and communication. In my latest book, Ignite a Shift, I equip readers to think about how they and those around them think, feel and do. With greater awareness you’ll be able to better establish and meet your goals and persuade and influence others to do the same. 

Stephen's book list on the power of ideas and positive thinking

Stephen McGarvey Why did Stephen love this book?

Take a second and think, “what is marketing?” Simply put, marketing involves having an idea and persuading others to believe or buy into that idea. We use marketing in our daily lives and probably don’t even think about it. Getting someone to agree to meet you at the restaurant of your choice or helping your family decide that the movie you suggested is the one you should all watch tonight involves some key marketing tenants. This book can help you examine your ideas and discover why they work or fall by the wayside. The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing helped me better understand that although all my ideas and concepts might not be successful, there is a process of understanding why that is and how I can alter them to be more valuable. 

By Al Ries, Jack Trout,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Al Ries and Jack Trout, two of the world's most successful marketing strategists, call upon over 40 years of marketing experise to identify the definitive rules that govern the world of marketing. Combining a wide-ranging historical overview with a keen eye for the future, the authors bring to light 22 superlative tools and innovative techniques for the international marketplace. The authors examine marketing campaigns that have succeeded and others that have failed, why good ideas didn't live up to expectations, and offer their own ideas on what would have worked better. The real-life examples, commonsense suggestions and killer instincts contained…


Book cover of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in On Your Inventions

Stephen Key Author Of One Simple Idea: Turn Your Dreams Into a Licensing Goldmine While Letting Others Do the Work

From my list on for inventors with big ideas.

Why am I passionate about this?

The traditional way of commercializing an invention — patenting, prototyping, then marketing it — doesn’t work very well and never has. When I found an easier way to share my creativity with the world, it changed my life, because the feeling you get when you hold something in your hand that you first imagined in your head is second to none. My 10-step process breaks down barriers so that everyone who has an idea — young or old, rich or poor — can get in the game of bringing it to market. I’ve published 5 books, 1,000 articles, and more than 700 videos to help others take advantage of the power of open innovation.

Stephen's book list on for inventors with big ideas

Stephen Key Why did Stephen love this book?

This is the best book I have read about how to become a profitable toy inventor. Richard Levy, the toy inventor responsible for the Furby and many other massive successes, is the real deal. His inventing tips and advice are absolutely priceless. He is the perfect example of the right person to take inventing advice from! By that I mean, he is an inventor who has achieved repeat commercial success.

By Richard C. Levy,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cashing in On Your Inventions as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Presents information on how to successfully market an invention covering such topics as licensing options, negotiating deals, patents and trademarks, and copyrights.


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in marketing, guitar, and presidential biography?

11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about marketing, guitar, and presidential biography.

Marketing 192 books
Guitar 33 books