Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.
Gibson’s new Slash 1966 EDS-1275 Doubleneck is an exact replica of a doubleneck that rock guitarist Slash, longtime member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA), bought in 1990 and immediately put into his playing rotation for studio and stage. The 1966 EDS-1275 Doubleneck, aged by the craftspeople at the Gibson Custom Shop, will be hand-signed by Slash and includes a vintage replica hardshell case, a custom Slash concho guitar strap, and a Certificate of Authenticity.
In 1958, Gibson’s ES-335 semi-solid first combined the qualities of hollow body and solid body guitars. This book covers all the classic variants that came after: ES-345, ES-355, and ES-330, as well as lesser known offshoots like the Crest, the ES Artist, ES-Les Paul, and signature models. There are photographs of dozens of vintage and modern guitars and collector’s details. It contains a comprehensive history of the guitars and guitarists who played them, from Chuck Berry through Luther Dickinson, from the introduction of the 335 through the modern Gibson era.
The Gibson 335 Book: Electric Semi-Solid Thinlines and the Players Who Made Them Famous, by Tony Bacon, Backbeat Books,
When Fender introduced the world’s first electric bass guitar in the early ’50s they couldn’t have foreseen the impact the Precision Bass would have on the world of music. It would help start a revolution in the sound of popular music. Bass guitar has provided the solid foundation on which much of modern music is built. This third edition of The Bass Book follows the evolution of bass guitar from its introduction to today with a full lowdown of the most important bass players and makers. Brands featured in the book include Alembic, Danelectro, Epiphone, Fender, Fodera, Gibson, Hofner, Ibanez, Lakland, Line 6, Music Man, Peavey, Rickenbacker, Sadowsky, Spector, Squier, Steinberger, Warwick, and Yamaha. There are exclusive interviews with bass guitar makers and players, including Paul McCartney, Jack Bruce, Stanley Clarke, John Entwistle, James Jamerson, and Jaco Pastorius. The book includes dozens of high quality photos of rarely seen basses plus reference section.
The Bass Book: A Complete Illustrated History of Bass Guitars, 3rd Edition, by Tony Bacon and Barry Moorhouse, Backbeat Books,
www.backbeatbooks.com.
