{"product_id":"battle-axes-sean-kelly-9781770417946","title":"Battle Axes: A Hard Rockin' History of Pointy Guitars","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eA Deep Dive into the Wildest Electric Guitars of '70s and '80s Hard Rock\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom Flying V to Firebird, Explorer to Warlock--this is the untold story of the most outrageous guitars in rock history.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhy did rock's greatest guitarists choose instruments that looked like weapons, spaceships, and abstract art? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eBattle Axes\u003c\/i\u003e, guitarist and music historian Sean Kelly explores the cultural and musical evolution of the world's most iconic \"pointy guitars\"--and how they helped define the sound and image of '70s and '80s hard rock and heavy metal. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom the Flying V, Explorer, Firebird, and Moderne, to the rise of aggressive 1980s designs from Jackson\/Charvel, Kramer, B.C. Rich, Dean, Ibanez, Hamer, and Lado, this is the story of how guitar design went from odd curiosity to arena-rock essential. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThrough deep research and interviews with legendary players, builders, and insiders, Kelly reveals how these instruments became more than tools--they became symbols of rebellion, speed, volume, and attitude. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFeaturing insights from members of: \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eKISS, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister, Guns N' Roses, Skid Row, \u003ci\u003eAutograph\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTrans Siberian\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eOrchestra\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eSavatage\u003c\/i\u003e, Megadeth, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Stryper, Racer X, MSG, Triumph, and more.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside this book: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe origins of pointy guitars in the 1950s Space Age design era\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow the Flying V, Explorer, and Firebird went from failures to legends\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe explosion of shred culture in the 1980s and the rise of \"superstrats\"\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eHow companies like Jackson, Kramer, Dean, B.C. Rich, and Ibanez changed rock forever\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eWhy visual shock value became as important as sound in arena rock\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eThe gear, tone, and attitude behind some of rock's most iconic moments\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cbr\u003eSean Kelly--who has performed with artists including Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Nelly Furtado, Lee Aaron, Coney Hatch, Helix, Gilby Clarke, Rough Trade, Glass Tiger's Alan Frew, Harlequin, Honeymoon Suite, and Crash Kelly--brings an insider's perspective to the guitars, players, and culture that defined a generation. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCareful with this book... it might just poke your eye out!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Sean Kelly\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 177041794X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781770417946\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e ECW Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/25\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 376\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.55lbs","brand":"Sean Kelly","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48487407550719,"sku":"9781770417946","price":25.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_f90f908e-04d4-41aa-9ef2-870a490ad14f.jpg?v=1778060318","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/battle-axes-sean-kelly-9781770417946","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}