Royale Guitars and such... By Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)
You can believe that, with the Wishbone Ash website’s hands on approach, we get
a lot of e mail from all kinds of interested people. By far the most number of
questions seem to come from guitarists and from all musical backgrounds.
I usually have mammoth e mail sessions where I try to answer your questions.
These usually take place between tours since I generally find it impossible to
keep up to date with correspondence on the road.
There is always great interest regarding my use of the Flying V guitar along
with any modifications I’m currently making, strings I use, pedals and effects
etc.
There has also been a lot of interest in the new custom Royale Vs (these are the
instruments made for me by luthier, Kevin Chilcott), so I thought I’d give you
the whole inside scoop on the way this relationship has developed and how these
guitars came about. It’ll hopefully give people an insight as to the conundrums
facing us guitarists.
For those who find some of this technical stuff boring, then kindly skip over
these points. Kevin’s story is an interesting one in its own right.
Basics
When it comes to electric solid body guitars there have only been 3 key shapes
which have really captured the public’s imagination: The Fender Stratocaster and
its derivatives, the Gibson Les Paul with its distinctive arch - top and single
cutaway and the Gibson Flying V.
The freedom to explore these fanciful designs comes from the fact that, unlike
acoustic instruments, the electric luthier is freer to experiment with shape
since the electronic components like magnetic pick-ups and tone circuits
contribute in a significant way to the sound. However, the instrument has to
have some intrinsic resonance to give an even response when played acoustically
which will only be enhanced once amplified.
This is why a medium density hardwood like mahogany, used in the Vs and alder
or swamp ash used in early Strats seems to work well, bringing out the low and
mid range warmth, as well as the highs. The Les Paul features a combination
mahogany body with a laminate of bright sounding maple on its surface.
50 years after the invention of these three styles, there have been very few
improvements in design and sound. Those early designers really got things right,
perfecting a marriage between early mass production and hand finishing. Leo
Fender probably made the biggest leap forward in design with single sided
machine heads, the tremolo system, contoured
body shape, angled jack socket and so on.
After a lifetime playing these electric instruments it gradually becomes
apparent how ahead of the curve these pioneer electric guitar inventors really
were and I for one, am always seeking that perfect marriage of the acoustics and
electronics.
Kevin Chilcott first
contacted me by e mail in early 2002 but it wasn’t until December of that year
that we were finally to meet and discover how much in sync our thoughts were
about electric guitar construction. He explained that ever since first seeing
the band in the 1970’s he had always wanted to refine the design of the Flying V
and that it had been an ambition of his to build me one, in particular. How
could I refuse?
Kevin’s Story
Kevin explained to me how he had studded guitar luthiery under the renowned
Chris Eccleshall and that in fact, he was one of the last apprentices in the
U.K. Chris had been trained himself as a violin maker and these ancient skills
all come to bear even in the construction of electric instruments, where
joinery, eye / hand skills and aesthetics all play their part.
After his time was up with Chris, Kevin started out with his own shop in Exeter,
UK where he became well - known as a guitar repairer and builder. It was in 1989
that he had a major health crisis after a fall and basically had to put things
on hold due to severe back problems accompanied by near constant pain. This
expanded hiatus lasted 13 long years in fact. In the interim, he and his wife
Lyn who had also worked alongside Kev handling the colouring and so on, produced
three wonderful daughters.
I’m proud to say that the meeting between us spurred him on to get back on the
long road to regaining his skills in building instruments. We set about planning
a prototype V featuring a piezzo pick-up installation along with a one piece
mahogany body similar to the mid 60’s ones Gibson used to produce. Kev took my
direction on the neck size and profile and I followed his advice to stick with
the Gibson scale length for the fingerboard. Prior to all of this, the family
pulled together to restore his old workshop in Wales. This is where Lyn comes
in. With her extraordinary building skills and never say die attitude, large
workshop doors were constructed, along with a spray booth; featuring a proper
extraction system to take care of the nitro cellulose fumes etc. I was adamant
that we use this type of lacquer since it gives a beautiful finish and doesn’t
kill the tone of the wood like polyurethane and polyester as used on so many
newer instruments these days.
A lot of pre - owned hand tools were sought out on E- Bay along with band saws,
routers etc. Kevin set about the construction of the V during all of this and
understandably there were problems along the way due to it being a prototype,
hence the name ‘Problem Child’. As insurance Kev also made a 2nd one which he
didn’t tell me about until much later
and this had the working name of ‘Chamille’.
In 2004 I took delivery of
PC and some little time later along came Chamille - Two virtually identical
instruments except for some neck joint refinements Kevin insisted upon for the
newer V. This guitar now resides with me in the USA and is featured on all the
band’s USA dates. Just acquiring vintage hardware like the original Vibrola
trems and so on, was a major project, as was all the plating work required. It
seems that quality control has really gone down for all of these processes.
Finally all obstacles were overcome.
The guitars are strung with my custom gauge D’Addario strings which run .10 .13
.16 .28 .36 and .48 and feature Seymour Duncan pick-ups: A JB in the bridge
position and a Jazz in the neck position which gives me a large variation in
tonal possibilities. When the L.R. Baggs bridge - mounted piezzo system is fed
in with these two magnetic pick ups, then there really is a large palate of
sounds available. We used Grover Imperial machine heads on both guitars since
they have a larger gear ratio being featured on some high - end jazz arch tops.
So far the guitars have been through the Arizona desert as well as over the
Canadian Rockies and the 30 year seasoned Brazilian mahogany has hardly moved! I
love these instruments and can play virtually any style on them.
Some people say that the
fins on the Flying V design add to the sustain. I can’t dispute this since they
all seem to sustain more than say a Les Paul and they have a little more
brightness. The one piece body construction definitely helps, unlike the reissue
Vs by Gibson these days which are made of a t least two pieces. It’s down to
what works for the individual, I suppose.
Back in the 1970’s, I dabbled with Gibson Firebirds as well as Telecasters and
Strats. I was actually ‘forbidden’ by our then manager, Miles Copeland, to put
down the V since, in his opinion, I had been so firmly identified with the
instrument in the press and publicity pictures. I can’t deny this and would have
probably come back to it anyway, no doubt.
It’s a marriage made in heaven.
The Present
At the moment Kevin is renovating a Burns original 60’s Jazz guitar exactly like
the one I sold just prior to joining Wishbone Ash in 1969. He has also
successfully renovated my original classic 1967 V along with a beautiful white V
from 1970. All of my Music Man Silhouette guitars have benefited from his loving
touch whether it be custom refrets or refinishing. In addition, he has built me
a fabulous natural Strat style guitar nicknamed the Bitocaster which also
features the piezzo system.
Several V fanatics out there have commissioned instruments from the great man
and these will no doubt be collectors items in their own right, since Kevin has
to ration out his work hours to accommodate his disabilities and medications
etc. He has developed an entirely original design called the Swordstress and
this is also available to order.
To find out
more, check out his wonderful website where you can really examine his work
methods in detail as well as pick up some of the cool merchandise he has on
offer.
Andy Powell - 12th January 2006
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*
Personal
Comments:
22.02.04
Hello
Kevin,
I
was with Nick de Jong at the "Mean Fiddler" last night and listening
to Wishbone Ash.
I want to make a huge compliment on the new "Angel" Vee!!
Man, what a great sound comes out of that guitar you made (in combination with
that superb Andy).
Nick and I were stunned. Low position, high position, it doesn't mind, there's
always great sound and sustain... Wow
Andy played all night only on his new Vee... Normally he changes guitar
every 2-3 songs....
We both are dreaming having our own "Angel".... Unfortunately our
funds and accounts are too little, Ha.ha.ha!
Our Dutch compliments to you!
Greetings
from Holland
and keep up the good work.
René
ten Berge
(
* * * * *
21.01.05
Dear
Kevin,
When
I touched Andy's guitar.... I feel the ART !
Yes, it’s your ART,
Thank you for this beautiful guitar and sound !
Best regards.
Bora
CETIN
(
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Forum
Comments:
16.09.04
Did
Gibson ever produce a signature Flying V for Andy?
16.09.04
As
far as I know, people petitioned Gibson to do just such a thing but Gibson
refused. Correct me if I am wrong anyone.
16.09.04
There
is at least one signature V! Angel no 1.
Mr. Kevin Chilcott did a superb job, as my ears judge the sound, my eyes judge
the looks. Craftsmanship shows itself.
The feel.... I'll get to that one back later.... Andy :0)
Can hardly think of Gibson being able to build a better guitar. They should be
ashamed of themselves, ignoring our man.
If I'd be able, I'd place my order directly. Until then, I'd have to do it with
my wannabee signature.
02.10.04
Can
anybody confirm that the V Andy used at Ashcon was Problem Child.
I'm 99% sure
it was.
02.10.04
Yes
it was. Andy has been playing this guitar on the last two
We
saw them at the last two gigs in
02.10.04
Yes
I saw Kev Chilcott at Ashcon but didn’t get the chance to speak to him. I’ve
had a look at his website and really fancy having a go at making an Angel V.
Don’t know if the wife will be happy though (It only took 4 weekends to
install a new kitchen ) I think it would probably take a few years to make a V.
22.11.04
Re: Which of Andy Powell’s V’s is
preferred….
I
dunno if this was ever posted as a thread.
But it just came to mind so here we go.
I like both of the new flying vee's the pastel pinkish red (PC) looks wild under
different lighting always sounds great
The newer dark cherry vee has a killer finish sounds a lil chunkier to me. the
finish reminds me of the 1st Gibson Vee of Andy's.
I must say the deep
color cherry Vee gets my vote.
22.11.04
The
Cherry V (Chamille?) gets my vote too - but I like them both.
I was wondering if we could get Bob Greaves to repeat his Argus-like photo with
Chamille so that we can compare the two.
Either way I vote for that being the
next album cover, with either guitar.
22.11.04
WHAT?!
Andy has TWO NEW V's??!!
I as only aware of the one that got all the hype a few months ago. I thought
that one was
Now there is a Cherry one? Who built it?
22.11.04
Yeah
Andy has two. I understand one is for stateside one U.K. Personally I like the
original 67 with a bit of the old flakey paintwork to show its pedigree.
Alas I
suspect this resides in a case somewhere..............
23.11.04
That
would be Mr Kevin Chilcott, the gent who built Andy's other V.
What
a gift to be able to do brilliant things with wood like that.
I have trouble putting up a shelf!
23.11.04
Kev,
You are doing exceptional work and it's great how we are being kept up to date.
The
Cherry V looks great and I'm looking forward to the restoration pictures.
Keep up the good work and thanks from the faithful.
27.11.04
Another
thing bout Andy's new Vee's..... Yeah ~Kev
The acoustic pickups hhhhhhmmmmmmm… I'm looking all over the guitar at stage
level where the hell is he getting that awesome acoustic tone I found out it's
in the saddle pieces on the bridge.
Andy
uses a Strawberry Blonde SWR acoustic amp to produce these acoustic tones I
never heard of stuff like this ….. amazing stuff !
27.11.04
Kev,
We met after the AshCon show in the dressing room, I showed you pics of my
guitars here in the States? Hope that helps you to remember me ?
Anyway,
I wanted to chime in here to let everyone know that the two Vs are both
wonderful.
I have had the privilege to play them a time or two and they are
excellent instruments.
I too love the acoustic pickup system (we talked about
that one vs. Fishman type at AshCon).
I
must say I prefer the cherry one a bit more, not sure why, but I think the tone
is a bit more meaty to my ear and sounds so sweet in Andy's hands.
Marvelous
guitar....
Fred.
11.12.04
Regarding Chamille…
What
a beauty !!! Best guitar I've ever seen. Quite a dramatic photo.
11.12.04
Man!
I've got a 67 reissue without a ding or scratch on it, same color, but THAT
ANGEL IS SO SWEET!
12.12.04
Thanks
PC's Mum for going thru the trouble of taking such a great picture of such a
great guitar and posting it for all to see.
I have band practice today and the
first thing I'm doing when the guys show up is to drag them to the computer so I
can show them a truly great looking guitar.
That picture is so great I swear I
can hear the guitar playing every time I look at the picture.
12.12.04
Another
great picture and another fine looking guitar. Kudos all around, thanks for all
your efforts, they are appreciated.
13.12.04
Thanks
to you Scary PC's Mum for taking the trouble, and thanks to Kev for his
wonderful craftsmanship.
Kev's is a great website by the way - there's so
much stuff in there!
13.12.04
Can't
wait to actually hear this in the man's hands.
14.12.04
What
a magnificent display of art and craftsmanship. The "birthing" of such
a beauty surely is a true labour of love.
It is said of aircraft that "it it looks right it flies right" and
both the Spitfire and Hawker Hunter were proof of this.
Chamille looks really
great so we already know how she will perform in the hands of the maestro.
Can't wait to hear her sing.
16.12.04
Wow
Kev...n... Mumzie
Supa-fantastic job on this 1 as well.
Oh God I'm in need of 1 of these !!! Not
just a pile of fire wood.... Then I'll have a Real Guitar...
Not just some that look like Vee's.
PS
- Wicked cool work you guys. The Pixx in front of the castle should say Throw
down the Sword… huh huh ! Whadda
beauty.
Best to Ya Both.
16.12.04
.........get
in line :0)
31.12.04
01.01.05
This V guitar you mention is another wonderful master craft of art by Kevin
Chilcott & ‘Mrs Kevin’ (Lyn). Royale Guitars, U.K
There are other write ups on Andy's Vee's in the news portion of the W/A Site.
These
Royale guitars make Gibson custom shop Vee's look and play and sound like tinker
toys.
No Joke !!