General Reference (Dictionaries, encyclopedias)
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Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments
by Bozhidar Abrahev, Konemann Inc. Staff (Editor)
- Hardcover: 320 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.99 x 11.19 x
8.41
- Publisher: Konemann; ISBN: 3829060793; (January 2001)
- Buy from Amazon
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Musical Instruments of the World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia
by Diagram Group Editors
- Over 4000 original illustrations of instruments from around the
world, arranged by Hornbostel/Sachs classifications.
- Paperback: 320 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.11 x 10.96 x
8.45
- Publisher: Sterling Publications; ISBN: 0806998474; Reprint
edition (June 30, 1997)
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Amazon.com
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European and American Musical Instruments
by Anthony Baines
- Baines' classic illustrated encyclopedia of Western
instruments. Profusely illustrated with 830+ b&w photos.
- Out of print. Used copies may be available.
- Hardcover: 174 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 1 x 9 x 12
- Publisher: Viking Press; ISBN: 0670299413; (November 1966)
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The Oxford Companion to Musical Instruments
by Anthony Baines
- Out of print. Used copies may be available.
- Hardcover: 404 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.36 x 9.53 x
6.58
- Publisher: Unknown; ISBN: 0193113341; (October 1992)
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Music: Music Eyewitness Book
by Neil Ardley, Dave King (Photographer), Philip Dowell (Photographer)
- In the spirit of the Dorling Kindersley publications, this is a
beautifully illustrated book that is perhaps a bit short on
substance. Worth getting for the gorgeous color pictures.
- Hardcover: 63 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.50 x 11.33 x
8.74
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley; ISBN: 0394822595; (April 1989)
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The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments
- A definitive guide to the history, construction and performing
practice of over 12,000 musical instruments from every culture,
past and present. It is the most comprehensive and authoritative
study of instruments, and includes over 1,600 illustrations of
individual instruments. Very expensive and difficult to find. N.B. There is currently under way a massive project to produce a new edition. This will likely be available by online subscription (i.e., primarily to libraries), but promises to be the most comprehensive collection of authoritative articles on musical instruments ever assembled.
- Hardcover: 3 volumes
- Publisher: Oxford (1984, out of print); ISBN: 0333378784
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Buy from Amazon (Note: Be careful that what is being sold includes all three volumes!)
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Everything You Should Know About Musical Instruments but Don't
Have Time to Learn
by Michael J. Pagliaro
- A handy guide intended for leaders of school music programs, but includes lots of nuts and bolts info (literally -- describes the nomenclature of each small part of each instrument).
- Paperback: 134 pages
- Publisher: Ardsley Musical Instrument Ser; ISBN: 0945864493;
(September 1992)
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Woodwind Instruments and Their History
by Anthony Baines
- Paperback: 384 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.82 x 8.49 x
5.39
- Publisher: Dover Pubns; ISBN: 0486268853; (November 1991)
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Pierce Piano Atlas
Includes serial number lists for many manufacturers.
- Paperback
- Publisher: Larry E. Ashley; 12th edition (Dec 2008)
- ISBN: 0911138064
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Amazon.com
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Instrument Making and Experimenting
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Musical Instrument Design : Practical Information for Instrument
Making, by Bart Hopkin
- Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.48 x 10.94 x 8.46
- Publisher: See Sharp Press; ISBN: 1884365086; (September 1996)
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Making Simple Musical Instruments: A Melodious Collection of
Strings, Winds, Drums & More, by Bart Hopkin
- Paperback: Out of Print. Used copies may be available.
- Publisher: Lark Books; ISBN: 1579900488; (February 1999)
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Making Stringed Instruments: A Workshop Guide
by George Buchanan
- Paperback: 205 Pages; Dimensions (in inches): 7.35 x 9.75
- Publisher: Sterling Publications; ISBN: 0806974648; (November
1990)
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Circuit-Bending : Build Your Own Alien Instruments
(ExtremeTech)
by Reed Ghazala
- Paperback: 450 pages
- Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (August 22, 2005)
- ISBN: 0764588877
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Making Early Stringed Instruments
by R. Zachary Taylor
- Out of print. Used copies may be available.
- Paperback: 111 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 9 x 12
- Publisher: Bold Strummer Ltd; ISBN: 0854420517; reprint edition
(June 1991)
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Making Musical Instruments
by Irving Sloane
- Out of print. Used copies may be available.
- Paperback:
- Publisher: Bold Strummer Ltd; ISBN: 0933224605; (January 1992)
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Great Folk Instruments to Make & Play
by Dennis Waring
- Paperback: 128 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.47 x 10.02 x
8.52
- Publisher: Sterling Publications; ISBN: 1895569435; (October
1999)
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Cool Cardboard Instruments to Make & Play
by Dennis Waring
Hardcover: 80 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.46 x 10.32 x 8.80
Publisher: Tamos Books Inc; ISBN: 1895569621; (November 1, 2000)
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Making Musical Instruments by Hand
by Jay Havighurst
- Paperback: 108 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.32 x 9.25 x
9.21
- Publisher: Rockport Publishers; ISBN: 1564963527; (December
1998)
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The Amateur Wind Instrument Maker
by Trevor Robinson
- Paperback: 116 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.40 x 10.04 x
7.02
- Publisher: Univ. of Massachusetts Press; ISBN: 0870233122;
Revised edition (March 1981)
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Sound Designs: A Handbook of Musical Instrument Building
by Reinhold Banek, Jon Scoville
- This little book launched a lot of people on the road to
experimental instrument building. Has a backyard approach to making
real instruments. A classic.
- Paperback: Currently out of print. Used copies may be
available.
- Publisher: Ten Speed Press; ISBN: 0898157757; Reprint edition
(November 1995)
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Guitarmaking : Tradition and Technology: A Complete Reference for
the Design & Construction of the Steel-String Folk Guitar & the
Classical Guitar
by William R. Cumpiano
- Paperback: 388 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.00 x 10.73 x
8.28
- Publisher: Music Sales Corp; ISBN: 0811806405; (March 1994)
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Useful Measurements for Violin Makers
by Henry A. Strobel
A useful reference of standard dimensions for all violin-family
instruments.
- Paperback: 46 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.25
x 11.25 x 8.75
- Henry Strobel, Violin Maker and Publisher; 5th
edition (July 1989); ISBN: 0962067326
Amazon.com |
Acoustics, Musical Physics
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The Physics of Musical Instruments
by Neville H. Fletcher, Thomas D. Rossing
- Hardcover: 756 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.63 x 9.57 x
6.35
- Publisher: Springer Verlag; ISBN: 0387983740; 2nd edition
(August 1998)
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Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics by Arthur H. Benade
- Paperback: 608 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.19 x 9.26 x
6.13
- Publisher: Dover Pubns; ISBN: 048626484X; reprint edition
(December 1990)
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Music, Physics and Engineering by Harry Ferdinand Olson
- Paperback: 460 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.91 x 8.42 x
5.35
- Publisher: Dover Pubns; ISBN: 0486217698; (June 1966)
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On the Sensations of Tone by Herman Helmholtz, et al
- Paperback: 576 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 1.14 x 9.21 x
6.13
- Publisher: Dover Pubns; ISBN: 0486607534; (December 1954)
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The Physics and Psychophysics of Music: An Introduction
by Juan G. Roederer
- Paperback: Dimensions (in inches): 0.52 x 9.23 x 6.12
- Publisher: Springer Verlag; ISBN: 0387943668; 3rd edition
(January 1995)
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Science and Music by Sir James Hopwood Jeans
- A classic in the physics of music.
- Paperback: 273 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.60 x 8.38 x
5.32
- Publisher: Dover Pubns; ISBN: 0486619648; (December 1968)
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Resources for Collectors
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Musical Instrument Auction Price Guide: 2002 (Serial)
- NOTE: As far as we are able to determine, 2002 is the latest
(presumably last) edition of the Guide
- Paperback: 250 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.55 x 9.00 x
6.04
- Publisher: String Letter Publishing; ISBN: 189049058X; (March
2002)
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The Care of Historic Musical Instruments
Provides thorough and expert guidance on the care of historic
musical instrument collections, ethics and the use of instruments,
materials, basic conservation treatments, maintenance strategies, and
documentation. Written by seven international specialists in the care
and preservation of musical instruments. A bibliography and resources
list are also included.
- 15.5 x 24.75 cm (6.125 x 9.75”), paperback, 145 pp.,
illustrated
Available only from the Canadian Conservation Institute |
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Caring for Your Family Treasures:
Heritage Preservation
- A team of top professionals, assembled by the nonprofit group
Heritage Preservation, provide practical advice and easy-to-use
guidelines on preserving all kinds of objects, including musical
instruments.
- Paperback: 162 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.53 x 9.03 x
7.79
- Publisher: Harry N Abrams; ISBN: 0810929090; (September 1,
2000)
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Caring for Your Collections
by Arthur W. Schultz (Editor)
- Esteemed conservation professionals share their expertise about
caring for art and objects, concentrating on preventive
maintenance, how to watch for damage, and when and how to obtain
the help of a professional conservator when damage does occur.
- Hardcover: 216 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.99 x 11.28 x
8.92
- Publisher: Harry N Abrams; ISBN: 0810931745; (April 1992)
- Buy from:
Amazon.com
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