This article series is about the tools of popular guitarists. What are their favorite guitars and how is it related to them? This time with Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash).
When did you start guitar playing and do you remember your first guitar?
I started playing guitar when I was 11 years old and my first guitar was a basic 6 string acoustic.
What are your influences and which guitar players are your faves?
My first influence was Hank B. Marvin from the Shadows. Later on, blues players like Clapton, Peter Green and then all the American blues players, especially Albert King. I also enjoyed English folk players like John Renbourn and Richard Thompson.
How many guitars do you own and what are your favorite models?
I’ve had as many as 85 but now perhaps 25.
What do you think makes the perfect guitar and amp?
A vintage guitar – Fender or Gibson from the 50s or 60s and an old Fender tweed amp from the same era.
How do you feel about the question of modeler or tube amp?
They are actually getting to be very good. I played Kemper on our last album as well as my original ’59 Fender Bassman.
Which guitars and amps were used on the new album or for recordings?
’67 Flying V ( original) MusicMan Silhouette, a ’52 Fender Telecaster, and the above mentioned amps.
When you only can choose one guitar, which one will you take?
My 1967 Gibson Flying V. The same one I played on every album, especially Argus and Live Dates.
