Episode 87

Andy Powers' Lessons in Tonewoods

Published on: 22nd May, 2023

The new DIT episode kicks off as Rhett and Zack celebrate Zack’s close encounter with special effects mogul Adam Savage, of Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Matrix, and Tested fame. (Nerd alert: Zack and his wife have Ghostbusters uniforms—which they wore that day. There’s a photo. Take a screenshot it in case you need to blackmail him later.) Rhett talks about the first single from his latest band, Good Trouble, who now have a YouTube channel. The dynamic duo also gives a seasonal warning about guitar maintenance. And then it’s time for the main event: Andy Powers, CEO and chief guitar designer of Taylor Guitars.

The SoCal native—and surfer—Powers provides his backstory in guitar design and building, starting with his hobbyist-musician parents and their friends. His first build … exploded, but he’s done considerably better since! By the time he was a teenager, he was building and selling guitars on his own, as well as doing repairs for local music shops. But even before that, he’d gotten in trouble with the IRS for making too much money as a luthier. Later, van life, as a touring player, didn’t satisfy him, but after he graduated college he already had a two-to-three-year waiting list of guitar orders. From there, it was a short twist of luck—and multiple encounters with company founder Bob Taylor—that brought him to Taylor Guitars.

Powers also addresses conservatism in guitar design, and how to break the cycle while participating in the tradition. And yes, he dives into the tonewood controversy …. and tells a “basic truth” about guitars: neck woods and shapes do matter. As do personal touches, including the occasional crack in a top … and the bumper sticker covering it! Andy also comments on the difference between acoustic and electric players, and notes that “some of the best acoustic guitar sounds I’ve ever heard start with a microphone.” Powers observes: “It’s pretty easy to go down those rabbit holes.” And these guys do! Especially when they talk how to get to best live acoustic guitar tone. And the grand finale: Andy, Rhett, and Zack dip a rig … and explain duplex scaling.

00:18 Zach Met Adam Savage

04:37 Noah Guthrie and Good Trouble Update

10:36 Andy Powers joins the show!

12:38 How did Andy Powers get started building guitars?

24:18 Advice to people starting their careers

30:22 How do you design something new?

35:07 Tonewoods. You knew it was coming.

41:15 A story about tonewoods

44:46 What are you missing in your acoustic rig?

53:05 Tips for getting a good live acoustic sound

58:41 Will Taylor ever make a pedal?

1:06:27 Andy dips a rig