After a career in advertising, John Stubbings dedicated his time to writing and playing the acoustic guitar. A self-described "accidental guitar collector," he began researching the commissioning and building of hand-made acoustic guitars in 2017. Alongside his musical pursuits he is an avid book collector with a passion for history.

"The Devil Is in It is the culmination of years of experience, research, extensive travels, sheer sweat and determination, love and obsession. It has expanded my knowledge, and I know other readers will find it as informative and entertaining as I have." - George Gruhn

• Preface Introduction 1. The Origins of the Acoustic Guitar 2. The Birth of Martin Guitars 3. Popular Music in the Civil War and Beyond 4. Minstrelsy and the Blues 5. Ukuleles and Hawaiian Guitars 6. The Jazz Age and Country Music’s Big Bang 7. The Depression and the Emergence of the Modern Flat-top 8. The Most Popular Fretted Instrument 9. Skiffle and a Guitar Craze in Britain 10. British Blues, American Guitars 11. Gone Electric 12. The Singer-Songwriter and the D-28 13. Beyond Martin and Gibson 14. Unplugged 15. Americana and an Acoustic Revival 16. New Old Guitars 17. The Acoustic Guitar, Taylor’s Version Gratitude and Acknowledgments Bibliographic Essay and Notes Bibliography Index

After a career in advertising, John Stubbings dedicated his time to writing and playing the acoustic guitar. A self-described "accidental guitar collector," he began researching the commissioning and building of hand-made acoustic guitars in 2017. Alongside his musical pursuits he is an avid book collector with a passion for history.

"The Devil Is in It is the culmination of years of experience, research, extensive travels, sheer sweat and determination, love and obsession. It has expanded my knowledge, and I know other readers will find it as informative and entertaining as I have." - George Gruhn

• Preface Introduction 1. The Origins of the Acoustic Guitar 2. The Birth of Martin Guitars 3. Popular Music in the Civil War and Beyond 4. Minstrelsy and the Blues 5. Ukuleles and Hawaiian Guitars 6. The Jazz Age and Country Music’s Big Bang 7. The Depression and the Emergence of the Modern Flat-top 8. The Most Popular Fretted Instrument 9. Skiffle and a Guitar Craze in Britain 10. British Blues, American Guitars 11. Gone Electric 12. The Singer-Songwriter and the D-28 13. Beyond Martin and Gibson 14. Unplugged 15. Americana and an Acoustic Revival 16. New Old Guitars 17. The Acoustic Guitar, Taylor’s Version Gratitude and Acknowledgments Bibliographic Essay and Notes Bibliography Index

After a career in advertising, John Stubbings dedicated his time to writing and playing the acoustic guitar. A self-described "accidental guitar collector," he began researching the commissioning and building of hand-made acoustic guitars in 2017. Alongside his musical pursuits he is an avid book collector with a passion for history.

"The Devil Is in It is the culmination of years of experience, research, extensive travels, sheer sweat and determination, love and obsession. It has expanded my knowledge, and I know other readers will find it as informative and entertaining as I have." - George Gruhn

• Preface Introduction 1. The Origins of the Acoustic Guitar 2. The Birth of Martin Guitars 3. Popular Music in the Civil War and Beyond 4. Minstrelsy and the Blues 5. Ukuleles and Hawaiian Guitars 6. The Jazz Age and Country Music’s Big Bang 7. The Depression and the Emergence of the Modern Flat-top 8. The Most Popular Fretted Instrument 9. Skiffle and a Guitar Craze in Britain 10. British Blues, American Guitars 11. Gone Electric 12. The Singer-Songwriter and the D-28 13. Beyond Martin and Gibson 14. Unplugged 15. Americana and an Acoustic Revival 16. New Old Guitars 17. The Acoustic Guitar, Taylor’s Version Gratitude and Acknowledgments Bibliographic Essay and Notes Bibliography Index