Comments on: Feedback http://powellguitars.com Custom built hand made Guitars Mon, 10 May 2010 11:09:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Charlie Moritz http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-777 Charlie Moritz Mon, 10 May 2010 11:09:15 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-777 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 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

]]> By: Jaydev Mistry http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-659 Jaydev Mistry Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:08:06 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-659 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. 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.

]]> By: Julie Matthews http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-496 Julie Matthews Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:21:56 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-496 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. 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.

]]> By: Mike Silver http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Mike Silver Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:42:50 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-318 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. 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.

]]> By: Martin Carr http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-237 Martin Carr Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:57:58 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-237 "I have been the proud owner of a Powell SFG for about two years now. I was even luckier to receive it as a gift from my brother Steve. Ken customised the SFG for me giving it a wider finger board, to suit my hands. I play finger-style in local folk clubs in West London accompanying mainly traditional songs. Even if my singing doesn't turn heads, the SFG always attracts attention. The guitar has a full and even tone, and is powerful, without being overbearing. It responds evenly over the entire neck, without any noticeable dull-spots. I wish the same could be said for my well-known brand guitar the Powell replaces. It wasn't long before I was visiting Ken to see what else he made. He put in my hands his new design, the Octave Mandolin, which is an eight string version of the 3/4 size guitar body. I ordered one the same day and took delivery in April. The first thing to notice is the quality of the finish. The matching woods and polished shellac give it the look of a finished article. To play it is very rewarding, with its rich tone and accurate scale, it sounds out from the full neck, and has a wonderful sustain. It's like playing a Formula 1 racing car, sharp, responsive and a challenge to control, but well worth the effort. My advice is order a Powell instrument now, or you'll be at the back of a very long queue." “I have been the proud owner of a Powell SFG for about two years now. I was
even luckier to receive it as a gift from my brother Steve.
Ken customised the SFG for me giving it a wider finger board, to suit my
hands. I play finger-style in local folk clubs in West London accompanying
mainly traditional songs.
Even if my singing doesn’t turn heads, the SFG always attracts attention.
The guitar has a full and even tone, and is powerful, without being
overbearing. It responds evenly over the entire neck, without any noticeable
dull-spots. I wish the same could be said for my well-known brand guitar the
Powell replaces.
It wasn’t long before I was visiting Ken to see what else he made. He put in
my hands his new design, the Octave Mandolin, which is an eight string
version of the 3/4 size guitar body. I ordered one the same day and took
delivery in April.
The first thing to notice is the quality of the finish. The matching woods
and polished shellac give it the look of a finished article. To play it is
very rewarding, with its rich tone and accurate scale, it sounds out from
the full neck, and has a wonderful sustain. It’s like playing a Formula 1
racing car, sharp, responsive and a challenge to control, but well worth the
effort.
My advice is order a Powell instrument now, or you’ll be at the back of a
very long queue.”

]]> By: Derek Gifford http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Derek Gifford Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:56:21 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-236 After having played this lovely guitar for a couple of months now it just seems to get better and better. I'm sure over time it will continue to mature beautifully. The redwood top and rosewood sides and back and the fine purflings look stunning and a number of people at my various bookings have remarked upon the attractiveness of the instrument as well as its resonance, projection and quality of sound. Although Ken recommended and fitted .012 - .053 strings I found them a little heavy for finger style playing especially as I always used .010 - .053 strings on my old Fylde guitar. As a result I've compromised and I am using .011 - .052 strings now. Hopefully it won't have any adverse effects on the neck! (If it does at least I know Ken has an excellent 'after sales' service and he'll fix it) I'm also getting more used to the fine tuning which is more sensitive than the Fylde especially when I use the capo. Overall I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Ken's superb instruments which aren't cheap but at the same time don't have an excessive price-tag on them either! After having played this lovely guitar for a couple of months now it just seems to get better and better. I’m sure over time it will continue to mature beautifully.
The redwood top and rosewood sides and back and the fine purflings look stunning and a number of people at my various bookings have remarked upon the attractiveness of the instrument as well as its resonance, projection and quality of sound.
Although Ken recommended and fitted .012 – .053 strings I found them a little heavy for finger style playing especially as I always used .010 – .053 strings on my old Fylde guitar. As a result I’ve compromised and I am using .011 – .052 strings now. Hopefully it won’t have any adverse effects on the neck! (If it does at least I know Ken has an excellent ‘after sales’ service and he’ll fix it)
I’m also getting more used to the fine tuning which is more sensitive than the Fylde especially when I use the capo.

Overall I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ken’s superb instruments which aren’t cheap but at the same time don’t have an excessive price-tag on them either!

]]> By: Paul Cowham http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-132 Paul Cowham Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:26:05 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-132 I recently purchased an Octave Mandolin made by Ken. I was looking for one and Ken happened to have one for sale so I was able to play it before making a decision, well it was one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make. I am very pleased with this instrument, it sounds wonderful, especially as it has not been played in fully yet. I am very pleased to live near such a skilled luthier although this is also dangerous, I had a go on cocobolo guitar that was also in stock and fear that more of my hard earned money will be going Ken's way! I recently purchased an Octave Mandolin made by Ken. I was looking for one and Ken happened to have one for sale so I was able to play it before making a decision, well it was one of the easiest decisions I have ever had to make. I am very pleased with this instrument, it sounds wonderful, especially as it has not been played in fully yet.

I am very pleased to live near such a skilled luthier although this is also dangerous, I had a go on cocobolo guitar that was also in stock and fear that more of my hard earned money will be going Ken’s way!

]]> By: Dave Walmisley http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-93 Dave Walmisley Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:16:55 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-93 I collected my Powell SFG (036) personally from Ken at the beginning of the week. I chose the wood for it nearly two years ago with Ken's advice and help and he put it aside for me until I was ready to go. Indian Rosewood back and sides and a AAA grade Sitka Spruce top. I specified certain things that I wanted like the size of the neck using reclaimed mahogany and a couple of other things that would suit my style of playing. There are many ideas and opinions about what makes a truly great instrument. Most of us (me included) have always plumbed for a name, Martin, Taylor, Lowden, Gibson etc. with the idea that you can't go wrong with a 'name'. This is just not true any more. In spite of it only being strung a week previously, the tone was warm, even and full-bodied and had a clarity and richness that I haven't heard in 99% of the instruments I've picked up and played over the years. I'm sure 'Powell' will be the 'name' to look out for soon. Buy British should be our priority. This is quite simply a superb instrument, astoundingly clear and even across the strings and wonderful to play. It was presented beautifully in a snug fitting Hiscox case with a certificate giving details of the wood used and guarantee (lifetime). Ken doesn't use 'plastic' varnish on his guitars, he French Polishes them by hand using shellac to the most perfect standard. I'm told that in time this hardens harder than polyurethane varnishes. It also makes repairs to the finish extremely simple. I now refer to it as my 'Reubenesque guitar', partly because of the shape of its generous bottom and partly because just like Reuben's paintings it's quite frankly a masterpiece. Thanks Ken! I collected my Powell SFG (036) personally from Ken at the beginning of the week. I chose the wood for it nearly two years ago with Ken’s advice and help and he put it aside for me until I was ready to go. Indian Rosewood back and sides and a AAA grade Sitka Spruce top. I specified certain things that I wanted like the size of the neck using reclaimed mahogany and a couple of other things that would suit my style of playing.
There are many ideas and opinions about what makes a truly great instrument. Most of us (me included) have always plumbed for a name, Martin, Taylor, Lowden, Gibson etc. with the idea that you can’t go wrong with a ‘name’. This is just not true any more. In spite of it only being strung a week previously, the tone was warm, even and full-bodied and had a clarity and richness that I haven’t heard in 99% of the instruments I’ve picked up and played over the years. I’m sure ‘Powell’ will be the ‘name’ to look out for soon. Buy British should be our priority.
This is quite simply a superb instrument, astoundingly clear and even across the strings and wonderful to play. It was presented beautifully in a snug fitting Hiscox case with a certificate giving details of the wood used and guarantee (lifetime). Ken doesn’t use ‘plastic’ varnish on his guitars, he French Polishes them by hand using shellac to the most perfect standard. I’m told that in time this hardens harder than polyurethane varnishes. It also makes repairs to the finish extremely simple.
I now refer to it as my ‘Reubenesque guitar’, partly because of the shape of its generous bottom and partly because just like Reuben’s paintings it’s quite frankly a masterpiece.
Thanks Ken!

]]> By: Liz Moore (Scolds Bridle) http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Liz Moore (Scolds Bridle) Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:08:36 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-72 I wasn't planning to buy a new guitar at all! but Ken and Ruth came up our way because Ruth was taking an order from someone near here for a wedding cake (she makes beautiful cakes and just about everything else) and Ken brought his latest creation to show Dave (Walmisley). This instrument was to have been sent to be reviewed by the Acoustic Magazine. It's made from some very exotic and fine woods. The top is grade 'AAA' Engelmann spruce and the back and sides are of 'Monkey Pod' a gorgeous wood from Malaysia and I fell in love with it immediately. The sound is full, even and rounded and suits my style of playing wonderfully. I just had to have it!! Dave has previously had one of Ken's guitars on order and eagerly anticipates it's birth! What a wonderful instrument, if you're thinking of buying an acoustic guitar try a Powell before doing anything. I wasn’t planning to buy a new guitar at all! but Ken and Ruth came up our way because Ruth was taking an order from someone near here for a wedding cake (she makes beautiful cakes and just about everything else) and Ken brought his latest creation to show Dave (Walmisley). This instrument was to have been sent to be reviewed by the Acoustic Magazine. It’s made from some very exotic and fine woods. The top is grade ‘AAA’ Engelmann spruce and the back and sides are of ‘Monkey Pod’ a gorgeous wood from Malaysia and I fell in love with it immediately. The sound is full, even and rounded and suits my style of playing wonderfully. I just had to have it!! Dave has previously had one of Ken’s guitars on order and eagerly anticipates it’s birth! What a wonderful instrument, if you’re thinking of buying an acoustic guitar try a Powell before doing anything.

]]> By: Daniel Craig http://powellguitars.com/feedback/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Daniel Craig Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:09:07 +0000 http://powellguitars.com/feedback/#comment-13 Hi, I was searching for martin taylor guitar and I happened upon this site. Good work, I'm looking forward to more. Hi, I was searching for martin taylor guitar and I happened upon this site. Good work, I’m looking forward to more.

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