Gibson Les Paul Manual: How to buy, maintain and set up the legendary Les Paul electric guitar

If you like Les Paul guitars you are going to love this book. If you're familiar with Paul Balmer's other Haynes electric guitar manuals then you'll be at home with the general layout of this book even though this volume has one or two 'extra' items of interest. There is simply tons and tons of interesting information and history about the Les Paul Guitar in here - indeed more than enough for anyone who is simply interested in electric guitars and is not intending to 'work' on a Les Paul.As for the jobs this manual takes you through - well, if it's not in here then it will certainly need to be done by a professional - and for someone like me with limited time to spare I'd probably get professional help for a good few of the tasks in the 'Repairs, maintenance & adjustments' section of the book. However it's always encouraging to see how its done and to know that if it really came to it this book would help me get the job done if I really had to do it.As with all Mr Balmer's Haynes Manuals the sections on routine maintenance are invaluable - the handbooks that come with Gibson guitars are woefully inadequate although the Epiphone handbooks are a little more helpful - and I have for quite some time wondered how on earth I survived before I had the help of these books to guide me through all the little improvements that can be made to make my guitar a better sounding, easier to play and more rewarding instrument.So it's well done to Paul Balmer for an excellent book - and thanks too for all the help you've given and will, I'm sure, continue to provide through this excellent volume.Finally, I was tempted to deduct about a fifth of a star for this volume being paperback as I much prefer hardback books - but a 96% rating is not allowed - so the rating remains at 100% - five stars.

This book includes a lot of interesting information and I though it is quite good - until I bought The Les Paul Manual by Terry Burrows. It contains everything you miss in this one and it is really incomparable.Paul Balmer's book is about Les Paul guitars, Terry Burrows' book is about maintenance. It is must have for all ambitious amateurs who want to maintain their gear.

If you own a Les Paul this is an absolute must. Very informative with clear instruction on set-ups and repairs, (may need to research extras for setting values / figures, but easy enough to do).An excellent read, easy on the eye and extremely easy to understand.Buy it, truly a great buy !!

A must for all Gibson owners, comprehensive, and very well illustrated

A good history of Gibson Les Pauls and how to set them up.