What kind of guitar does Wes Montgomery use?
The Guitar Wes owned and played a variety of Gibson archtops over the years that would have us all drooling. A Gibson L-4 with a ‘Charlie Christian’ pickup, an ES-175 and an ES-125 are all guitars he was photographed with in the early days. The instrument he’ll be forever associated with, though, is the L-5.
How did Wes Montgomery tune his guitar?
Instead of using a guitar pick, Montgomery plucked the strings with the fleshy part of his thumb, using down strokes for single notes and a combination of up strokes and down strokes for chords and octaves. He developed this technique not for technical reasons but for the benefit of his neighbors.
Did Wes Montgomery play electric guitar?
As the decade progressed, Gibson designated the L5-CES, standing for “Cutaway Electric Spanish”. It was this iteration of the guitar, with P90s and sole cutaway, that Wes Montgomery played at first. The electric L5 represented, at the time, the pinnacle of Gibson’s archtop handcraft.
Who has Wes Montgomery’s guitar?
Many years later this guitar was purchased by George Benson, who later sold it to Pat Metheny. 4) Sunburst L5-CES with Venetian cutaway, one humbucking pickup, and a pearl inlay heart with Wes’ name inscribed on it.
Who owns Wes Montgomery’s guitar?
When did Wes Montgomery start playing guitar?
Montgomery began playing guitar in his late teens and played in the Lionel Hampton band in 1948–50 and in Indianapolis during the 1950s, most often with his brothers Buddy (piano, vibes) and Monk (electric bass).
Why do jazz players use thick strings?
Jazz guitarists use heavier strings partly because of tradition, a supposed increase in tone, and because they’re supposed to be able to emulate a horn section better. Another reason is that jazz guitarists don’t bend or use vibrato as often as what’s seen in other genres.
Do jazz guitarists use vibrato?
vibrato is part of the guitar tradition. George Barnes and George Benson both use quite a bit of vibrato as do many jazz guitarists.