Hey, I just took delivery of "The Black Strat" written by Phil Taylor, and it's absolutely incredible. This lavishly illustrated book chronicles the history of David Gilmour's signature guitar in the many versions and forms it's taken over the years. The book is satisfyingly technical with great photos and details of the modifications (and there have been a ton!) and tweaks that make this guitar nothing like it was when originally purchased at Manny's in New York way back when. It also goes a long way to explain how Gilmour has hewn such wonderful and unique tone throughout his career. Phil Taylor has been David Gilmour's guitar technician forever and a major presence in Gilmour's solo and Pink Floyd careers. Some of the receipts and order forms that are pictured in the book are really interesting, and much of Taylor's correspondence with vendors are eye-opening to say the least. There are also GREAT close-up photos of pick-up replacements, shielding and insulation, and myriad little details that are just fascinating. Which is not to say that The Black Strat is a technical manual, because it most certainly isn't! Any fan of Pink Floyd will love it because the book never gets bogged down in hardware. In fact, more than anything, The Black Strat is a picture book, with "expanded" captions!!! Gilmour's other guitars get plenty of attention, too, as Taylor's very matter of fact descriptions and reminiscences make a totally compelling history of one the most original and creative musicians ever. I ordered my copy off the Pink Floyd "Brain Damage" site in the UK, and received my book from England in about a week. Anyway, I'm loving it, and I highly recommend it.
