From Guitar World · · 1m 40s
Andy Powell's Guitar Buying Wisdom
Don't plug in your guitar: Andy Powell's best tip for finding the right sound.
In brief
Don't plug in your guitar: Andy Powell's best tip for finding the right sound. Andy Powell, Wishbone Ash guitarist, advises against plugging guitars to test acoustic resonance before buying. Originally reported by Guitar World.
First guitar purchase
Andy Powell bought his first serious guitar with money saved from a paper round.
Rice Krispies competition
He entered a Burns jazz guitar competition on the back of a Rice Krispies cereal box.
First guitar details
The guitar was a short scale Burns jazz guitar with a tremolo arm for emulating Hank Marvin.
Sold for travel
He sold the guitar for 40 quid to fund an overland trip to Morocco in a Land Rover.
Current guitar preference
Andy Powell plays a Flying V but uses a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster for its vintage resonance.
Guitar collection
He collected 85 guitars, including Stratocasters from the 1950s through early 1960s.
Best guitar find
The most incredible find was a 1958 Flying V, followed by a 1959 Flying V with only 100 made.
Guitar buyer's remorse
He regretted selling a 1958 Flying V for its potential to fund college or a house for his sons.
Guitar buying tip
Don't plug in your guitar: test acoustic resonance by playing it on your knee.
Guitar amplifier advice
Use an old tube amplifier to check if pickups are balanced before plugging in.
Current rig
He uses a semi-digital BluGuitar amp with 10-inch speakers for festival travel.
Guitar journey
Andy Powell's guitar journey began with a Rice Krispies competition and ended with a Flying V.
The big picture
Andy Powell, Wishbone Ash guitarist, advises against plugging guitars to test acoustic resonance before buying.
