Jazz Guitar Heroes & Their Gear

[dirkji]

Hi Folks,

There are still some jazz guitar heroes missing on the gear page:

Guitar Setup | Guitars, Guitar Amps, Effects, Strings, Picks

I'm going to update the page, but I need your help in the research. If you know what guitar, amp, effects, picks, strings, ... any of the following players use, please let me know by replying to this thread:

• Baden Powell
• Bireli Lagrene
• Barney Kessel
• Charlie Christian
• Emily Remler
• Frank Gambale
• George Benson
• Herb Ellis
• Jimmy Bruno
• Jimmy Raney
• Joe Diorio
• John Abercrombie
• John McLaughlin
• Kenny Burrell
• Kevin Eubanks
• Kurt Rosenwinkel
• Larry Carlton
• Larry Coryell
• Lee Ritenour
• Lenny Breau
• Pat Martino
• Ralph Towner
• Robben Ford
• Scott Henderson
• Steve Khan
• Stevie Ray Vaughan
• Tal Farlow

Thanks for your help!

- Dirk

[Little Jay]

Found on Remembering the life and music of legendary jazz guitarist Emily Remler Guitars & Gear:

Emily's main guitar was a cherry-red Gibson ES-330, modified with humbuckers. At the end of the '80ies she switched to a Borys B120 archtop. She also recorded with her 1984 Collectors Series Ovation and on rare occasions she used a Casio PG-380 Synth Guitar.

On the list of amps Emily is known to have liked are: Roland Jazz Chorus, Walter Woods, Music Man, Polytone and Fender.

The only strings mentioned by her or endorsing were D’Addario Half Rounds of which she said she wasn’t fussy about the exact guage and would use .011 gauge for the top but didn’t care what the rest of the strings were, but she also mentions later to leaning toward their Jazz Light gages.

As her fans know Emily played a majority of her style without a pick, thus the comparison to Wes Montgomery for the use of her thumb. She was masterful with it. But when she wanted to accent a lead she would grab a pick she had been holding between her teeth and casually use it for a few minutes, then store it again. The only pick she ever mentioned using was the Fender Extra Heavy and before that she states, ” I used bits of Tupperware and pieces of wood…”.

[rampestamper]

I know that SRV uses a Fender signature guitare, which he calles "Lenny" (named after his wife).
He uses a fender amp (i believe a superreverb or something).
he also uses a Cry Baby wahpedal.

Scott henderson now uses a custom Suhr guitar and amp.
The guitar is a sort of replica of a strat, but a bit diffrent
and the amp is modelled after a marshall od100
He also uses a lot of pedals, which he's talking about in this video:
YouTube - Scott Henderson talks about Xotic RC Booster

[Nils]

Off the top of my head, here's som info:
Pat Martino: During the early years, he played various Gibsons (notably L5 and Johnny Smith models) through Fender amps. More recently, he has been playing his signature Gibson model (it has a thin, chambered body) through an Acoustic Image Clarus amp, hooked up to two Raezer's Edge Stealth 12 cabinets. He uses extremely heavy strings (gauge 0.15, I think) and presumably also heavy picks, since his attack is so fierce.

Jimmy Raney: In the 1970s, he played mostly on an ES175 through polytone amps - though on his Live in Tokyo record, he played on his son Doug Raney's Gibson L7 through a Yamaha amp (he probably didn't bring his own amp to Japan). Raney's other son, Jon Raney, has a website where he offers some more details about Jimmy's setup.

Jimmy Bruno plays his signature Sadowsky archtop, and like Martino, he hooks it up to an Acoustic Image/Raezer's Edge configuration. (He has played various other guitars before, including Benedettos, Guilds and, for a short spell, a Hofner archtop.) I think he uses D'Andrea PRO-PLECK picks (highly recommended! A lot of players, including Johnathan Kreisberg, use them).

Benson: originally a Guild-guy (on his early recordings), he switched to his two signature Ibanez models in the 1970s, and has used a variety of amps, including Fender and Polytone.

Hope this was helpful...

[Scolohofo]

We won't talk about the far overpriced gitaar aria herb ellis, we won't?
Jazz Guitars | Buying Tips | Gibson, Ibanez, Epiphone, Gretsch, Fender Guitars

[richmca]

RF usually plays a goldtop LP, a Telecaster or a custom-made single-cut by Sakashta. For amps he uses Fender Twins or a Dumble Overdrive Special. Adds a bit of delay (TC Electronics I think). Generally plays 10 gauge strings.

[Coldandrea]

Hello everyone

Here is my little contribute to the thread. I found this on youtube, its Stevie Ray Vaughan talking about his gear and setup

YouTube - SRV - Interview - Stevie's Setup 1/2

YouTube - SRV - Interview - Stevie's Setup 2/2

[richmca]

Part of me really wants to ask - what is SRV doing on a list like this in a jazz guitar forum? But I know where it will lead.....so I won't ask!

[Jake Hanlon]

Abercrombie currently is using a custom Brian Moore semi-hollow guitar with 2 humbuckers and Piezzo pick ups. he runs stereo typically with one Tube and one SS amplifier, he likes Messa Boogies, Polytones and Roland JC amps. He uses a variety of effects. 8 guage strings, don't know what company... probably D'Addario or something.

Effects wise he had a Sparkel Drive I think, he has an old Boss EQ pedal he sets to nothing but uses as a clean boost. He has a Alexis Nanoverb he uses for reverb and delay.

Thing about John is that he has switched set ups almost every 2 or 3 years. His current one I believe is what he takes out on tour.

[bobtrump]

Jimmy Bruno plays an archtop (Jimmy Bruno Model) from Sadowsky.

[lee of ham]

Stevie Ray Vaughan used his signature Fender Stratocaster, I think its a '59 strat. He also owned many other Strats such as "Red", "Num$ber one" and "Lenny."

His string gauge was considered a high gauge for blues/rock players, it was 13s (.013, .015, .019, .028, .038, and .058) but I understand that isnt actually a big gauge for some jazz players (hence why string bends arent as common technique used in jazz than blues.) Whilst talking about strings SRV also detuned his guitars a half step down to Eb.

Fender vibroberbs where his main amps but like his guitars he added alot of amps to this thorugh his career.

Ibanez tubescreamer and a Vox Wah Wah were his main effects pedals.

Hope its ok.

[604bourne123]

most of what nils said is correct/gibson pat martino custom and clarus 300/watt lately/heavy picks/heavy gauge stings/neck pickup with treble attenuated/

[cycloneranger]

One of Lenny Breau's more interesting guitars was a Gibson Hummingbird with a wide classical style neck which gave him more room to do the right hand finger thing. Also had some sort of on-board electronics--maybe hot-dots, since they were the 'in' thing at the time. But that's what gave him his 'burnished' sound. I used to have a pre-'63 Hummingbird--some friends of mine out in Seattle still own it--but 'burnished' is a good description--sometimes a little <too> burnished imho, but, all-in-all a really nice guitar and I wish I had it back, despite the fact that it's been through six or seven wars since I sold it.
Interesting thing about Kessel's rig is that he apparently had some sort of feud going with Gibson. Took to covering the Gibson logo on his guitar with black electrician's tape. And then, when he had it refinished, he had the refinisher remove the logo entirely. Some internet guy saw Barney and Herb Ellis playing at a place down in Florida. Said Barney was drunk, stinking up the whole place, and Ellis pretty much had to carry the show himself. He noticed that Kessel was playing the mustard and ketchup color Barney Kessel model, so, during the break, he asked him what he thought of that particular instrument. All Barney would say was "Piece of shit!', and then he wandered off to the bar for another drink.
Ahhh, musicians.

[Matthew Klare]

Hi,

Metheny's still playing his old PM-20 a lot as well as one of his old Roland synth guitars. Also, last time I saw Robben Ford he was playing a red ES-335 (X-Mas Jam 2008).

Matt

[guitar nut]

Barney Kessel used a 50'5 Gibson ES 350 with Charlie Christian pickup. That was a long scale before they shortened it. So did Tal Farlow til he got a signature version of the same guitar.
Hank Garland used an L-5 with a CC pup.
Larry Carlton used a '69 ES 335.
Robbin Ford used Baker guitars for a while and had a fender signature too.
SRV used strat and Super reverb

[Jerzy Rugby]

61 Telecaster
Sakashta Nau Paul

Dumble Overdrive Special
Dumble 2x12-Cabinet with Celestion 65 Speaker

TC 2290 Delay
Fender Tube Reverb
Dumbleater for FX Looop
Cry Baby Wah Wah
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal

Source: Gitarre und Bass, March 2009, p.50.

I hope it's useful.

[vdipren]

I love that unique sound... I think I'm going to have to research these jazz cat amps.

Her guitars:
Heritage Golden Eagle and 575 custom

Jazz Cat Amplifiers - Jazzkat Amplifers The little amp with the BIG sound
and George Benson strings

[bergeracstrat]

Hi, In my view you have missed out one of the very best jazz guitarists ever.
CHARLIE BYRD.
I would like to know more about his guitars and equipment. I know he played amplified acoustics, but so did BADEN POWELL and LAURINDHO ALMEIDA.
You have only included BADEN POWELL for some reason.
Please rectify. Regards.

[fast1]

thanks for the share.

[Bertrand tB]

Pat Martino used in his early years a KOONTZ handmade guitar (amongst other).
Joe Diorio used a Gibson ES175 (Norlin period).
Kurt Rosenwinkel uses Hofner guitars (ao).
Frank Gambale uses Yamaha guitars.
Tal Farlow uses his TF Gibson and Gibson end Fender Amps.
Larry Carlton (Mr.335) again uses his Gibson ES335 but also uses Strats and tele's.
Steve Khan uses an ES335 amongst other.

So this is a little contribution, but as in this business goes:
There's a lot more!!

[tumke]

Robben Ford played a nice Fender Robber Ford
Larry Carlton played Valley Arts Tele'
Frank Gambale plays Ibanez 540/Frank Gambale
Lee Ritenour used to play ES335 as captain fingers

Tom

[wizard3739]

Jimmy Raney used a Gibson ES175 and a Polytone Mini-brute IV. His son Doug, used an ES 175 and later used a Gibson L7. I think he used a Fender amp for his recordings.

Jim Hall started with a Gibson ES 175 he bought from Howard Roberts and later switched to a D'Aquisto of similar size. I have been told he more recently switched to his Sadowsky signature model. I believe he has been using a Polytone minibrute amp for many years.

Joe Diorio used a Gibson ES 175 during his teaching time at G.I.T. but later switched to a Benedetto.

Howard Alden has many guitars (most made by Benedetto) but his first gigging guitar was a Gibson ES 175. I believe he is partial to his 7-string benedetto at this time. I know his first gigging amp was a Benson (I sold it to him while we were at G.I.T.).. I don't know what he currently uses.

Ed Bickert recorded with a couple of different Fender Telecasters, I never saw a picture of him with a Fender thinline but I do know he always played a Telecaster.

wiz

[Chev]

Someone questioned why Stevie Ray is in this company of famous jazzplayers, he actually played some Texas jazz, as you can hear on some of his albums.
Don´t think he´ll be postume awarded for best jazzguitar/jazz songs, but...

The times I saw him perform he always played Fender or custom Strats, til he got the SRV signatujre fender Strat(Lenny is his son -not his wife, as somenone mentioned).But he also played 335´s. Amps mostly Super Revs,Twins or Vibrolux/Delux, plus a Leslie.

Bireli plays a real nice L-5(besides various selmer/macaferri clones) and some Ibanez L-5 lawsuits earlier. Have no clue ´bout amps except for a JC 120.

Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenoir both have their signature 335´s, so that´s simple.

[Chev]

Originally Posted by bergeracstrat

Hi, In my view you have missed out one of the very best jazz guitarists ever.
CHARLIE BYRD.
I would like to know more about his guitars and equipment. I know he played amplified acoustics, but so did BADEN POWELL and LAURINDHO ALMEIDA.
You have only included BADEN POWELL for some reason.
Please rectify. Regards.

Thanks for reminding us about Byrd and Almeida(besides Powell), as two very fine nylon stringers. Almeida did some great recordings with MJQ.
Chev

[Squint]

The two cd set I have of Bireli Lagrene, one live, he's playing Dupont custom guitars...

Sweet.

[Chev]

What CD´s you got?
Don´t know anything about Dupont but the L-5 I have seen him play on several big band gigs.
Have any idéa what he plays on the "Standards" album from 1992?
Fantastic guitarron!

[Squint]

It was a double CD set with "Blue Eyes", where he plays and sings a bunch of Sinatra faves... and "Live at Marciac". The liner notes mention Dupont guitars. Google them while I try to find a link.. They're French, I think...

[Squint]

Did anyone get Mark Whitfield?
He plays a Marchione custom...

Whitfield Model

[Pedro Vituri]

Well, i know something about Baden Powell... He used guitars produced by the luthier Dieter Hopf, a famous german guy, that unfortunately has already passed the way. On the other side, there´s still the company that named "Hopf Gitarren", in German, that still makes guitars! This is the website: Musikwaren-Hellweg / Dieter Hopf Gitarrenbau - Taunusstein Germany / Konzertgitarren - Musikwaren
Some Dieter Hopf guitars can reach even prices like 10.000 euros, but they worth it, as they are as good as guitar like Conde Hermanos, Manuel Contreras and Jose Ramirez.

Another curious thing about Baden Powell is that he used to ask for a larger neck on his guitars, in order to get a warmer tone! Something interesting too is the fact that Baden used to ask to the luthier one guitar for him and a small guitar to his son, Louis Marcel.

Here there are some pictures with Baden Powell and the Luthier: http://www.brazil-on-guitar.de/galle...owell_hopf.pdf

Well well... I wasn´t going to tell this history, but i find it so nice that i just couldn´t help not telling, so, there it goes:
When Baden Powell went to Paris, in 1960, he just had an old and almost destroyed guitar of a, not so good, label named Brasileiro. The instrument was falling apart when Baden could first paly at Olympia de Paris. On that concert there were lots of special spectators, but one in particular must be said, and this special guy was Dieter Hopf, who became fascinated by his way of playing and just couldn´t believe in such a good guitar player, that could put a spell on the whole audience. Another thing the luthier, who at that time was not so famous, became fascinated was "How can he play so well with such a messed up guitar?!". After the concert the instrument builder made a proposal to Baden: he wanted Baden to point his bad points and as trade, the great guitar player could have guitars without paying; Hand-made guitars, that fit exactly his way of playing, as he would say everything he wanted different!
In the end of his life he used an instrument made by three japanese guys that, after a concert in 1985, asked him to try another hand-made guitar, that he after some time used for some concerts!

So... I hope i have helped! There may be some mistakes, as i am brazilian and it´s been sometime since i last wrote a text like this in English, but i think this might be useful!

Bye!

[Chev]

Been looking for that Blue Eyes, not found it yet - good?
Have a live dvd from Mariac w him and sylvain - L5 vs Godin.
I have read something somewhere about those Duponts - must be fine if guys like BL play them.
I will check your link later - thanks.
Jazz Along