It all comes down to the density of the wood. Every guitar’s different.

Meaning of the quote

The density of the wood used to make a guitar is really important. That's what English musician Robin Trower means when he says "It all comes down to the density of the wood." The wood's density affects how the guitar sounds, so each guitar is unique because the wood is a little bit different in every one.

About Robin Trower

Robin Trower is an English rock guitarist who found success with the band Procol Harum in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He later formed his own power trio, the Robin Trower Band, and has had a successful solo career as a guitarist and songwriter.

More about the author

More quotes from Robin Trower

A wah-wah is important as well. I love it; it makes the guitar scream.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I can’t say I feel influenced by today’s guitar players.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I feel I’ve been blessed with a gift of creativity and composition. That’s why I’ve been able to keep going.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I wouldn’t count myself as being a true blues guitarist because I feel you have to live it.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

When you start believing you’re something special, then you’re not going to be striving to move forward.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I got a guitar when I was about 14, for a Christmas present, and went from there.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I have short hands. That’s why I have to bend up to notes; I can’t always reach the frets.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

The ability to make music is a gift that you’re born with; it’s not something you can learn.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

Radio is commercial, isn’t it. Its a business.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

It all comes down to the density of the wood. Every guitar’s different.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

When I was a little kid, I was very impressed with Elvis.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

While I was with Procol Harum, the only time I’d see my guitar was either when I walked onstage or in the studio.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

It’s impossible to play a run with as much feeling as a single note. I’ve never been so much into runs as making single notes cry.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

It was an experience being on a Beatles tour. They weren’t very good. The singing was great, but the playing was a bit weak.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

If I could sing, I wouldn’t be a guitarist.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I have done some things that I’m very proud of. I don’t think you can say any more than that, really.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

My songs are more arrangements than they are songs.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I was very keen on people like Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Gene Vincent.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I feel that my playing on the first album was probably some of my best.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I think the fundamental part of my technique is my vibrato.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

Music has nothing to do with your technical ability.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

The first real thing I heard was Three O’Clock Blues by B.B. King. That’s where it all began for me.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I think it’s a sensible thing not to read your fan mail – not to take it too seriously.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I don’t tend to have a favorite album; I tend to have favorite tracks. There are flaws in every album that spoil it for me.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I go for as much feeling as I can rather than show what I can do up and down the neck. I don’t play to show people ability.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I didn’t want to get attached to one guitar; I didn’t want to have an instrument that was irreplaceable.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I’ve always been the first to admit that Jimi was a very big influence on my early stuff.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

The States still has the best audiences by far.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

I go through about two Fender mediums a night because I don’t pick straight down; it’s sort of sideways, and it shaves them off.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist

A certain death of an artist is overconfidence.

Robin Trower

English rock guitarist