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I consider myself to be a singer rather than a guitarist and my solo arrangements are quite simple and straightforward. I am however, very lucky to own some really fine old instruments so that if I play the occasional ‘bum’ note they at least sound as good as they can! I often play in DADGAD, using a modified ‘half-capo’, combined with a standard capo, to get a modal sound without re-tuning
- John LeVoi, acoustic 14 fret, 6 string guitar. Cedar and mahogany. A refined ‘dreadnought’ styled body. Hand made for me in Southern England in 1974. A much-loved old instrument it has a big, full and very warm sound and is the instrument I’ve used for most of my material in the past. Despite its big body it has a clean bright sound which suits my finger picking style. I’ve recently had it beautifully restored by Christchurch luthier Davy Stuart.
- Andy Manson acoustic 12 fret, 6-string guitar. 00 style body shape. German Spruce and Indian Rosewood. Hand made for me by Andy in his studio in Sussex in 1985. This is a gorgeous, smaller bodied guitar and has a very rich, bright sound. I use it to provide contrast to the LeVoi.
- I’ve recently acquired a ‘new’ guitar from master luthier Andy Manson. It is an acoustic, 14 fret, OM style instrument with a very responsive sitka spruce top and some lovely Indian rosewood for the back and sides. Built in 1996, it is in need of regular playing as it has been sitting in a shop (waiting for me?) for a couple of years. It has already started to open up and find its voice again.
- Peter Sean Cooney Appalachian Dulcimer. Made in 1979 in the Appalachian Mountains in America. I rescued it from a secondhand junk dealer in Leeds in the early 80’s. I’m not too sure about the woods used, but I think they’re cedar and walnut. I’m told, by those who know, that it is a very fine instrument and it certainly sounds it! I don’t play it much these days, although I have occasionally used it to accompany the odd traditional ballad.
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