If you are a Duane Allman fan—and who isn't?—you will likely want to pick up this amazing new 7-CD/129-track box set despite its hefty $120 price tag.

A relentless seeker of tone, playability, and function, Allan Holdsworth has cycled through his share of guitars during his nearly 40-year career. Holdsworth’s quest isn’t one of hallowed boutique “unobtanium” or musty old pawnshop finds, however. No way, Jose.

 Holdsworth wants an instrument that facilitates his approach, which, if you’ve ever heard a single note the man has played, is one of the most frighteningly original and unique approaches on any instrument, much less the guitar. His left-hand legato style coupled with a pianistic right-hand attack that eschews strumming in any way, shape, or form, has taken the guitar to dizzying, decidedly inspirational, un-guitar heights.

 

From a Gibson SG on through to a variety of Super Strats, Holdsworth has certainly played more “traditional” instruments, but he officially split the trad world in the late ’80s with various...