“It was not possible to get a left-handed Jazzmaster in this country. Fender told me, ‘You might as well be ringing Ibanez – we just don’t make them’”: Mike Vennart on the Squier Strats that are simply unbeatable – and why he hates acoustics

Mike Vennart plays his Goldtop Les Paul live during Empire State Bastard's ArcTanGent .

In this edition of Bought & Sold we have the pleasure of Mike Vennart's company, a treat not only because we are great admirers of his work with Oceansize, Biffy Clyro and Empire State Bastard et cetera, but in this conversation – a life in guitars, if you will – we rarely get a southpaw player's perspective.

Given how ill-served left-handed players are, Vennart has nonetheless put together a very cool collection. Here he talks first guitars, buying advice, and admits he's still waiting for the vintage electric guitar of his dreams.