In the world of guitars, innovation is key to standing out from the crowd. With that in mind, Swee Lee is proud to announce that we will be carrying a brand that embodies that exact ethos – Powers Electric Guitars.
Andy Powers, renowned for his work at Taylor Guitars, has ventured into the electric guitar market with his new brand – Powers Electric Guitars. This exciting development marks a significant milestone in the guitar industry – blending high-end guitar craftsmanship with modern design elements inspired by Southern California’s vibrant culture.
The Story Behind Andy Powers’ Powers Electrics Guitars?
Powers Electric Guitars is not just another electric guitar brand – it represents a culmination of Andy Powers’ lifelong passion for guitars and his deep-rooted connection to San Diego’s rich cultural heritage.
Growing up surrounded by surfing, skateboarding, and car culture, Andy has always been fascinated by the aesthetics and zeal of these iconic West Coast pursuits. This unique blend of influences is reflected in the design and craftsmanship of his guitars – making these amazing instruments truly distinctive and unique in the guitar-sphere.
Guitar Design Reimagined: The Powers Electric A-Type
The Powers Electric A-Type model, the brand’s debut offering, embodies the essence of Southern California’s culture. Inspired by classic cars, hot rods, and surfboard designs, the A-Type features a sleek, offset-reminiscent body shape with a solid maple top and urban ash back.
This innovative and fresh design allows for a hollow body that captures the resonance of an acoustic guitar while incorporating cello-style sound posts to enhance playability and feedback control with overdrive or distortion effects.
Innovative Construction: Neck Joint of Powers Electric
One of the standout features of Powers Electric Guitars is their innovative neck joint that enhances both resonance and stability. The neck is crafted from a single piece of mahogany, paired with a Honduran rosewood fingerboard – a wood prized for its unbelievable resonance.
Constructed using a horizontally oriented dovetail joint, this design ensures a seamless connection between the neck and body – eliminating gaps and promoting optimal energy transfer. The joint is built to be incredibly tight – with no space for even a piece of paper – contributing to the guitar’s dynamic feel and sustain. Additionally, the neck is stress-relieved during construction, allowing it to run almost dead flat – which improves playability and reduces the need for excessive relief adjustments
Split Radius Fretboards: A New Paradigm in Playability
Powers Electric Guitars feature a unique split radius fretboard design, which differs from traditional compound radius fretboards. Instead of a uniform curve from the bass to the treble side, the fretboard is asymmetrical, with the treble side having a distinct radius compared to the bass side.
This innovative approach allows for enhanced playability and comfort, catering to different playing styles and techniques. The design aims to optimise the guitar’s ergonomics, providing a more tailored experience for the player.
Unparalleled Resonance: Hollow Body Construction with Violin-like Soundposts
The Powers Electric A-Type boasts a hollow body construction that is trussed with two internal soundposts – similar to those found in violins and cellos. These soundposts allow the front and back of the guitar to move together, increasing resonance and sustain while reducing feedback. This design feature is a testament to Andy Powers’ innovative approach to guitar construction – blending the warmth of acoustic instruments with the versatility of electric guitars.
Faraday Cage Pickups: Secret Tone Weapons
Powers Electric Guitars feature two custom-built pickups inspired by past-era designs but crafted with modern magnetic technology. The PF42 (Partial Faraday) and FF42 (Full Faraday) pickups are both single-coil designs housed in aluminium casings, which help control the magnetic field around the strings.
This innovative design allows the strings to vibrate more naturally – resulting in increased sustain and a warm, clear tone. The PF42 provides a bright and snappy sound akin to a single coil, while the FF42 offers a fuller, thicker tone similar to a humbucker. Both pickups utilise a Faraday-cage-inspired design to minimise noise and interference – ensuring a clean and articulate sound.
A Breakthrough in Guitar Hardware: CamTail Tremolo System
Another groundbreaking feature of the Powers Electric A-Type is the CamTail Tremolo System. This camshaft-inspired vibrato unit allows for smooth pitch bending while maintaining chordal integrity.
Unlike traditional tremolo systems, the CamTail ensures that all strings change pitch uniformly, keeping chords in tune even when using the whammy bar. This innovation is particularly useful for musicians who rely on pitch-shifting in their performances.
Premium Craftsmanship and Quality
Each Powers Electric guitar is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting Andy Powers’ commitment to quality and innovation. The labour-intensive process involved in creating these instruments means they are produced in limited numbers – ensuring every guitar that leaves their facility is of exceptional craftsmanship. The A-Type model is almost entirely made from in-house components, further emphasising the brand’s dedication to precision and excellence.
What Makes Powers Electric Guitars Special
Need a refresher on what makes Powers Electric Guitars stand out from other brands? Here are the points you’ve got to know:
- Unique Design Inspiration: The guitars are deeply rooted in Southern California’s surf, skate, and car culture, offering a fresh aesthetic that resonates with musicians seeking a distinctive sound and style.
- Innovative Body Design: The hollow body with soundposts provides a unique playing experience, combining the resonance of acoustic guitars with the versatility of electric instruments.
- A Brand New Fretboard Radius: A unique split radius fretboard design blends a curved radius for the bass strings with a flatter radius toward the treble strings – allowing for enhanced playability and comfort.
- Stellar Californian Craftsmanship: The meticulous craftsmanship and use of high-quality materials ensure that each guitar is not only visually stunning but also delivers exceptional sound quality.
- All-New Faraday Cage Pickups: These innovative pickups offer a blend of warmth and clarity – with a design that minimises noise and interference.
- CamTail Tremolo System: This system allows for smooth pitch bending while maintaining chordal integrity – a highly significant innovation in electric guitar design.
Powers Electric Guitars represents a new chapter in the evolution of electric instruments, blending tradition with innovation and style. With its unique design, exceptional craftsmanship, and nouveau design – the Powers Electric A-Type is poised to inspire a new collective of musicians worldwide.
With that in mind, we’re excited to be part of the developing future of electric guitars with Powers Electric Guitars. Visit Swee Lee today to explore these extraordinary instruments and discover how they can inspire your music.
