Zappa Gear: The Unique Guitars, Amplifiers, Effects Units, Keyboards and Studio Equipment

This is a very interesting book for musicians who are also Zappa afficianados. I'm a bass player and guitarist who is a also a big Zappa fan so I'm interested in Frank and I'm interested in the gear. It's pretty comprehensive - right down to Frank's espresso machine and his metronome so very detailed. Having said that, its not quite as well written and researched as Andy Babiuk's painstaking 'Beatles Gear' book which admittedly sets the bar extraordinarily high and takes a lot of beating. The book on the Beatles gives a lot of 'human interest' background to the acquisition of certain pieces of gear - this book is more just a list of kit (although with some background detail at times). Nevertheless, it's a great read, very informative and with access to Dweezil and Gail gives a more 'Zappa family' prespective on things which the Babiuk book tends to lack (understably as Babuik had four band members to deal with rather athan an individual). Very good value and indispensible to the 'muso' Zappa fan. Great book - and by an Englishman too!!! (P.S. - Since when has Leigh-on-Sea been a 'fishing village'? -(you'll see what I mean if you get the book!) - it's a Southend suburb!!

It is difficult to put into the words how much diligence, dedication and just plain hard work has gone into Mr Ekhers’ first book. It is a remarkable, almost academic, work that describes the guitars, amps, keyboards, effects etc. that Frank Zappa used in innovative musical ways throughout his career. The book is fully illustrated, beautifully written with many little stories from many sources (including the Zappa family and the many techs who looked after the gear) and little histories of the many makers whose products FZ would inevitably have modified to his particular requirements. This book is not just for Zappa fans, but would also be recommended reading to anyone interested in the creation of electric music during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, as it describes in some detail how all the equipment worked and how it was used by Zappa. I hope Mr Ekers sells loads of these books to reward such impressive scholarship; (written by the parent of a son with a penchant for modified Les Pauls and SGs…).

I received my copy just a few hours ago, and I'm already through most of the guitar section. It's a fascinating insight into all of FZ's musical instruments and equipment, including his percussion stuff. Clearly a labour of love, the author has had the full co-operation and approval of the Zappa family and Frank's friends and colleagues and, because of that, it feels very personal and authentic. The book deals in-depth with how Frank modified his guitars to get his unique sounds, as well as his various effects pedals, amplifiers and speaker cabinets etc. Any idea what his "Bulgarian bagpipe" sound is and how to make it? You will after you read this book. A must-read for any FZ fan, especially if you're a gear nerd!

This book is a must for hardcore Zappa fanatics!! Well produced, hard cover, loads of great photos, a perfect coffee table book and would make a great present for the Zappaphile in your life!

Interesting but expensive

I love this. I'm a professional backline technician, also a musician... who is a huge fan of Frank Zappa and this book is a lovely, well researched and well written 'connection' between artist and gear that fascinates me. Frank's choices and interests and sometimes flippant attitude towards gear is thoroughly engrossing. Best thing I have read in ages! Highly, highly recommended.

It's just a beautiful book full of techy guitarist stuff for Zappa nerds and guitarists . A sublime tome portraying the equipment Frank owned and used

Fantastic book. Really enjoyed reading it. If you live geeking out over guitars and amps you will love it.

Todo estupendamente

Awesome to see so many photos of Zappa gear

Content-wise, this book is truly engaging. Loads of details about FZ's guitars et al. A bit top heavy with keys and synths, about which I know absolutely less than zero, but I expected the content trajectory given FZ's instrumental evolution. I find this book a real treat! Seller-wise, the book arrived sooner than anticipated and is in excellent shape, which was promised by the seller. A completely user-friendly experience for me in terms of currency exchanged for readable product! I'd not hesitate to again deal with this seller! Thanks and best wishes!

本日、手元に届きました。表紙書きにあるように、フランク・ザッパが使用したギター、アンプ、エフェクター、メンバー使用のキーボード、パーカッション、スタジオ機材などなどを実機の写真入りで解説する、オールカラーのハードカバー本です。 当方、エレキギターには疎く、英語も大の苦手につき、この本の魅力をお伝えするには甚だ覚束ない人間ではございますが、とにかくすごいの一言に尽きます。以前よりザッパのギターに関しては、超人的かつ唯一無二なプレイはもちろんのこと、多彩なエフェクターを駆使した数々の音色（とにかく美しい！）が好きで好きでたまらん者ですので、今、真っ先にエフェクターの章をナナメ読みしております。 例えばですね、『Guiter』における「Watermalon in Easter Hay」にはエレクトロ・ハーモニクス社のBIG MUFFが使用されているとか、『アポストロフィー（’）』の「Stink-Foot」のソロには同じくエレハモのMUーTRONⅢ（オートワウ。これ昔、復刻モデルを持ってました）を使ってるとか、そう言われればこのファンキーで粘っこい感じはたしかにミュートロンやないか！ とか、眺めているだけでも楽しいこと楽しいこと、是非、ファンの皆様におかれましては該当する楽曲を聴きながら読み進めてほしいです。（iTunesでアーカイブ化したことがこんなに役に立つなんて！） ザッパの場合、こういった単品のコンパクト・エフェクターを基板だけ取り出して、ラックマウント用に改造していたことは知ってはいたのですが、それが意外なほど雑な作りだった（笑・あくまで見た目のことですよ）とか、いやーやっぱ面白いわ、この本。ツアー中持ち歩いてたというコーヒーマシンもギアの一つとして紹介されているのもご愛敬。文章も相当マニアックかつザッパ愛に満ち溢れたもののようですので、コロナの夜長、じっくり紐解いていきたいと思います。 オーダーしてから１ヶ月ほどかかりましたが、豊潤なザッパ・サウンドに負けない情報てんこ盛りのこの本、ザッパファンなら一家に１冊、間違いなしです。

Pur essendo un esperto nel settore, la lettura di questo libro ha illuminato diverse lacune e soddisfatto molte curiosità. Non è esauriente al 100%, ma per l'appassionato medio di questo importante artista del secolo scorso (!) sarà una passeggiata nel Paese Delle Meraviglie. Interessante anche per il chitarrista non proprio Zappiano Hard-Core, in quanto illustra soluzioni tecniche spesso ai tempi avveniristiche adottate dal Nostro. Avrei preferito foto più dettagliate di alcuni strumenti, ma tutto sommato soldi ben spesi.