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Tom Wheeler RIP

deytookerjaabs

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Messages
1,592
It is. His American Guitars: An Illustrated History book was just awesome. RIP.



I knew of his books but didn't know about the GP connection. Yet, I remember we had a stack of very old issues in the shop I used to teach at. I'd read through them during my free time and was always impressed at how articulate and deep the conversations/interviews with other players were.
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
OMG!

My old friend from American Guitars, we stayed in contact from time to time. Always interested in sharing info and hearing new info.
The guitar world [especially the vintage guitar world] owe so much to this man!
He will be missed in so many ways. :yah
:rip
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,586
100209-Wheeler_Tom-02_WEB.jpg

so long Tom :salude
 

tonar8353

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
490
I was just thinking the other day what a huge influence "Guitar Player" had on me. It turned me onto so many great guitarist outside my normal realm of interest, helped me learn about the gear that mattered all the way down to the importance of the type of pick I chose, taught me many of the scales that are a part of my vocabulary, and of course caused me to lust deeply for the mighty 1959 Les Paul. We did not have the internet but we had Guitar Player Magazine.
Thank you Tom, RIP!
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Tom was the best. I still have my first edition copy of the first real guitar book, American Guitars.
 

corpse

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
I have owned that book for well over 20 years- RIP. Glad you spent a lifetime doing what you loved.
 

Jeff West

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2002
Messages
877
I used to check out "The Guitar Book" from the public library (many times!) ca. 1979. Then, when "American Guitars" came out, I bought it and looked at it endlessly. Major contributions in the pre-internet world. RIP.
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
Very sad to hear this Tom,s 1st book was in hand constantly , a close friend worked with Tom supplying Photos & info for arch tops always talking very highly of Tom !
 
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