“The strings I put on it cost more than the actual guitar”: Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley explains why he used a $5 junk shop guitar and a $10,000 Martin – in the same session

Adrian Utley of Portishead plays a 1936 Gibson L-4.

Adrian Utley’s playing on Portishead’s landmark album Dummy might have made his name in the 1990s, yet for all critical and commercial success – both with his band and an extensive run of session gigs – the guitarist has clearly not developed expensive tastes.

In a recent interview filmed with British string firm Rotosound, Utley explains his gear philosophy and notes a surprising pairing of a £4 [approx. $5] “junk shop” guitar and a considerably fancier Martin that occurred in a recent session.