When you think of the glitter, energy, and punch of glam rock, it’s impossible to overlook Andy Scott, the guitarist who gave Sweet their unmistakable edge. Joining the band in 1970, Scott brought not just technical chops but also a distinctive guitar voice that helped propel Sweet into rock history.
The Cherry Red Icon
Every guitar hero has a weapon of choice, and for Scott it was love at first strum with his 1963 Gibson ES-335 Cherry Red. Inspired by Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore, Scott tracked one down for himself — and it became central to Sweet’s sound. That guitar, with its distinctive look and tone, powered the riffs and solos that defined the band’s glam-era hits.
A Palette of Tones
Scott wasn’t a one-trick player. His style runs the gamut from sharp, riff-driven attack to warm, expressive passages that stick in your head long after the song ends. Just spin “Set Me Free” or “Block Buster” — the guitar work is equal parts muscle and melody, a balance that became Scott’s signature.
Pushing the Sound
Like many guitarists of the era, Scott wasn’t afraid to experiment. He dabbled with a treble booster on his ES-335 to give his tone extra bite, though he eventually ditched it thanks to the inevitable feedback gremlins that came with the setup.
Feel Over Flash
What really set Scott apart was his relationship with the guitar itself. The ES-335’s slim neck and worn frets gave him effortless mobility, letting him glide up and down the fretboard with style. He even credits the slightly dry feel of the fingerboard with helping him play more fluidly — proof that sometimes the quirks of a well-loved instrument become part of the magic.
The Bigsby Factor
Add in the Bigsby B5 vibrato tailpiece and you get another layer of character in his sound. Scott knew how to use it just right, adding shimmer and nuance without going over the top. Combine that with his mastery of volume and tone controls, and he could summon an impressive range of textures — from punchy rock rhythms to soaring leads.
A Lasting Legacy
Andy Scott didn’t just play guitar; he shaped the sonic identity of Sweet and, in many ways, glam rock itself. His riffs, solos, and tones influenced a generation of players and still resonate today. Decades later, his ES-335 remains as iconic as the glitter and theatrics of the era it helped define.
