Comments for Powell Guitars

Comment on Feedback by Graham Aldridge

Graham Aldridge — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:12:10 +0000

March 2012. I have just purchased a Powell guitar. I guess that every musician of modest means would like an instrument of real quality just once in their life. This was in the back of my mind when I came across Ken Powell in strange circumstances (a synchronistic event). It seemed that this must be what I had been looking for, and it has proved to be so. He has produced an instrument of outstanding beauty and sound quality, put together with great care and meticulous attention to detail. I have obviously not tried every guitar maker, but it is hard to believe that there is anyone better than Ken. All this, and still at a very reasonable price.
The only problem is that it looks so good that I sometimes just want to sit and look at it, instead of playing it.

Comment on Feedback by Chris While

Chris While — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 11:52:24 +0000

I have known Ken Powell for more than twenty five years. When he and Ruth announced that Ken was going to build his own guitars I knew then that they would be good instruments as Ken would not do anything he couldn’t do really well. I was not prepared however for the absolutely beautiful creations that he has produced.
After Julie received her Powell Gazuoki I just had to go and see his guitars.
I went to Ken and Ruth’s house and played Ken personal Guitar and fell in love.
I chose my wood and trim and then had a very in depth conversation with Ken about my needs. I told him that I really needed a cutaway to get to the ‘dusty end’ and in his familiar quiet measured way he just nodded and said “yes I can do that”. I told him about some guitars I had seen on a recent trip to Nashville with a porthole (soundhole) on the top side. This gives you a clear sound when you’re in rehearsal or acoustic session without having to pick so hard so you can hear. When I play with Julie, she usually uses a flat pick and I fingerpick and sometimes I can’t hear myself so this really solves the problem. Anyway Ken gave it some thought and now I have what I need.
I was looking for a second guitar to take on the road but, oh boy this baby will not come second to anything!
The finish is stunning, deep conker red/brown with a shine as bright as a mirror. You can smell the French polish in the wood too. But as beautiful as this guitar is, it’s the sound, oh the sound…… inspirational as a songwriter.
I can’t wait to record with her as she sings like a bird.
Thank you Ken for your passion and dedication and extreme skill, I love that guitar.
Chris While

Comment on Feedback by Stewart Lever

Stewart Lever — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:15:40 +0000

My guitar was a special present to me to commemorate my lovely wife Anne, who sadly died 10 years ago. She wanted me to start singing and playing the guitar again, just as I’d done when we first met in the late 60′s. She’d have been amazed at how singing, song writing and guitar playing have become my life now.

I picked up the guitar on the 23rd July 2011 and had lunch with Ruth & Ken, home grown salad and vegetables. I then took the guitar to Lake Vyrnwy Hotel for the weekend. The following day, the sun shone as I took my Powell Guitar down to the lake edge and played and sang all day. The bass sounds mellow and warm and the treble as bright as I like. The guitar looks immaculate and it feels like it’s been mine for an age. With Anne’s initial set into the 12 fret, it is already a very special friend. Thanks Ken and of course, you my love, Anne.

Comment on Feedback by Dave Walmisley

Dave Walmisley — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 20:16:04 +0000

The Guitar (SFG) that Ken made for me in 2010 continues to amaze and delight me every time I pick it up and because of that I commissioned another instrument from Ken, this time a Gazouki (cross between a guitar and bazouki).
I think Ken’s instruments have a distinctive ‘Powell’ sound which is astonishingly even, rich and clear and has a ‘feel’ to it that I’ve never experienced with any other instrument. Unless you’ve played one or own one this might not be something that one can put into words. However, we very happily made the trip into the hinterlands of North Wales where he and Ruth now live to pick up the new instrument (and feed the chickens) and within a week it was at work at the Wirral Folk Festival.
Comments were made (quite unsolicited) about the Gazouki and how great it sounded. It never ceases to amaze me that even after a couple of weeks from it first being strung that Ken manages to get ‘that’ sound.
Thanks Ken, you’ve done it again!!

Comment on Feedback by tom Baxter

tom Baxter — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:05:20 +0000

On visiting the Ullapool guitar festival annual event, I looked at and tried all the exibitors intsruments, one stood out from the rest, and was perfectly suited to my requirements, You Guessed, a Powell sfg. Ken talked me through the make up and build of the guitar and left me to consider the instrument. It was purchased next day and has not been out of my hands since. A beautifully crafted instrument, with a warm lower register , and a sharpness throught the scale that remains true throughout the fret board ,with a very easy action, which is suited to finger style playing.This is a guitar to make me happy, and it indeed puts a smile on my face. SUPERB!! see you next year ken.

Comment on Feedback by Paul Cowham

Paul Cowham — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 09:26:07 +0000

Thanks to Ken, I no longer have any spare time and don’t get out much! I am the proud owner of a spruce top/cocobolo back and sides SFG which I have had for about 5 months now. Playing this guitar has rekindled a keen interest in fingerstyle guitar as this instrument is so much more rewarding and responsive and satisfying to play than any other guitar that I have owned.

I love the cocobolo back and sides which look as rich as the sound that they help produce and contrast nicely with the clean lightly coloured spruce top… All in all a great instrument which I am grateful to own.

Comment on Feedback by Charlie Moritz

Charlie Moritz — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:09:15 +0000

Love at first sight I have to tell you between me and my Powell- the very same guitar, as it happens, which earned Ken his five star review. What a fabulous instrument! Gorgeous tone, song-like voice,resonance, clarity, power, wonderful action- my Powell guitar has all of these. With its unusual design and perfect, hand-polished finish It is a beautiful object to look at without being at all unnecessarily fancy. More important perhaps than all of these reasons why I love this guitar so much is the fact that it so obviously embodies scrupulous attention and enormous expertise in the way it’s been put together.From the way the timbers have been carefully selected and sensitively crafted, to the pinpoint accuracy of its acoustic engineering and informing these the artful knowledge of not only a great maker but also an accomplished and experienced player which has gone into its construction. All these qualities speak of the sheer love both of music and instrument making which so clearly go into Ken Powell’s guitars. And in case you think I’m simply gushing and OTT, not only does my Powell draw huge admiration from friends , themselves very experienced players and musicians, but I left it a few months before writing this feedback to make sure it wasn’t just a crush on my part. Nope. This is the real thing, and as it sounds so good now, I can only boggle at what this guitar is going to sound like a few years hence.
I endorse what other have said- these are guitars by a maker of rare distinction. If you’re teetering on the edge of trying one out,take my advice, teeter no longer. Be there, or be in the very long queue which is bound to form to own a Powell guitar.
Charlie Moritz

Comment on Feedback by Jaydev Mistry

Jaydev Mistry — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:08:06 +0000

I am considering having a guitar built and I have been researching custom acoustic guitar builders for some time. I came across Ken’s web site and was instantly intrigued by what he had to say about guitar building-tone and feel. The look of his instruments is stunning but under stated (i can’t stand guitars that are over decorated!) I think Ken has really got the aesthetics spot on. I promptly got in touch and was pleased
to find that he is not far from where i live. I visited Ken a couple of weeks ago, What a lovely man! He spent a long time with me explaining how to choose woods for the sound you are after and was most generous with sharing his knowledge. I learned a lot on that visit and found it fascinating. When i got one of his guitars in my hand s i was simply bowled over, The the guitar was alive! It sang with the slightest touch. Rich, warm and
and a joy to play are just a few words that describe some superb instruments. As you may have guessed i am hooked! I am looking forward to placing an order in the very near future. In the mean time i am very envious of those that already own a Powell guitar.

Comment on Feedback by Julie Matthews

Julie Matthews — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:21:56 +0000

Ken handed over my beautiful english walnut gazouki (guitar shaped bouzouki) just a few days ago and after these weeks of anticipation the wait was finally over and boy was it worth waiting for. I can honestly say, ‘Charlotte’ (named after her web-like markings on her back) is one of the finest instruments I have ever played, let alone owned. It’s been an absolute pleasure commisioning this instrument. From the first day I picked out the wood (from Ken’s glorious and extensive collection) to the moment he put her in my hand he’s kept me updated every step of the way and has shared my excitement about the creation of something that will undoubtedly in turn help in the creation of music for many years to come. Not only is Ken passionate about instument making (he’s a fine guitarist himself), he’s incredibly skilled and innovative in his design and engineering. I thank him from the bottom of my heart and wish him well in the luthier business. Can’t submit this feedback without also saying what an absolutely lovely man he is and how proud and privileged I feel to have him as a friend.

Comment on Feedback by Mike Silver

Mike Silver — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:42:50 +0000

My late father-in-law John Hunt was a very creative person, when we lost him in 2004 he left us with many legacies, among those most treasured was the store of hardwood that he used to make carvings. I showed some of this to Ken and asked him if any if it could be used for instrument building and if so, might be possible to make me a tenor guitar from it? He readily agreed. He and Ruth arrived at my “Now I’m 64 Birthday Bash” on September 12th 2009 with the finished instrument. It is a thing of simple, charming beauty and the playing of it and ways to tune it have started me on another learning curve, one which I view with relish. Ruth and Ken had three extra surprises for me that night: the first was the fact that there had been enough wood to make a six string guitar as well! The second was when I picked it up out of the case and played a chord of E minor on it, the warmth of the tone went down through my stomach right to my shoes. It was and will always remain a revelation to me that a guitar that had been strung for the first time, some three days earlier, could sound so mature! The balance of tone is remarkable, this wonderful warmth and clarity is maintained right through the fret-board and the acoustic projection beggars belief. It feels like a live thing in my hands and its quality demands that I improve my playing to become more worthy of it. Ken and Ruth’s third surprise was that they gave me a book, a stunning photographic history of the making of my tenor guitar, which they had put together themselves, as a memento. It is among my most precious possessions.

So and in conclusion, 2010 beckons and already I have my first quandary; which of these fantastic instruments do I play while the other hangs on the wall waiting? I believe that Ken’s special approach to building acoustic instruments is going to give the whole instrument building fraternity a wake-up call. To be involved and associated with him is a privilege.