Wes Montgomery - When did he start using humbucker pickups?

[Marty Grass]

I'm listening to a tune he did in 1960 or so that very much sounds single coil. The tune is Back to Back.

[wintermoon]

I think his first PAF L-5 was a blonde 1960.

[Marty Grass]

Here's the tune. Is this P90 or PAF?

[Marty Grass]

Or a Tele?????

[dortmundjazzguitar]

Or a Tele?????

or a didgeridoo???????

[neatomic]

that lp-
Recorded New York City January 3rd 1961

sounds like this to me..not as dark as his humbucker tone…more middy

and this shot was taken dec 18 1960 in nyc..2 weeks before session!!



cheers

[Greentone]

Makes sense...staple neck pickup L-5. The midrange tone of the Riverside recording could be due to the amplifier used. Early on, Montgomery was purported to have recorded with a Fender Deluxe amp. Tweed Deluxes sound pretty mid-heavy...giving rise to the "tweed" sound.

[Marty Grass]

Dammit, I do have ears!

That definitely has a single coil tone, possibly an underwound P90.

Thanks.

[wintermoon]

[neatomic]

its a gibson alnico staple pickup…it's a cross between the p90 and a dearmond dynasonic..and the tone is as such

great pup!!! seymour duncan is doing repros

cheers

[wintermoon]

the cover of "Boss Guitar" released in mid '63 shows him holding the blonde L-5.
of course that doesn't mean he used it on that or any other session.
it's likely a sunburst L-5 as that's what he's playing in shots from the session on the back of the lp

he's pictured w/the same blond L-5 on the cover of "Full House" recorded in mid '62
those are the only pics I've seen of him w/that guitar

and I've only seen him in 2 pics w/a florentine L-5.

once he really hit the scene he was pictured w/several L-5's, the aforementioned Alnico model, blonde humbucker, sunburst florentine humbucker and his two custom single pick up models

whether it was used for promo shots or he actually owned the blonde one is unclear

[neatomic]

there are photos with all kind of guitars:

http://www.guitarontheedge.co.uk/ima...ery%5B1%5D.gif

i'd guess paf into control board

yes but not from 2 weeks before the session in question! in the same city

cheers

[Marty Grass]

That sound is a staple pup. It sounds too light for a standard wound P90. It seems like something between a P90 and a Fender Strat pup. That would be a staple.

It reminds me of the RC 1100. Thin and beautiful!

[neatomic]

unless he broke out his old gretsch jet solidbody with dynasonics!! haha



cheers

[Greentone]

Neatonic, that's back when Doc Watson played a Les Paul, too. Heck, B. B. King used a Telecaster in the 50s.

[vinnyv1k]

He got some funky tones early on also with his P90 125 & 175. He also used some type of a baritone guitar on some early Riverside recording that had a super funky tone. Does anyone know what kind of a guitar that was ? Probably a Gibson. He was a Gibby guy.

[yebdox]

It almost sounds at times like both pickups are on to me, neck with a little bridge mixed in. Definitely a single coil sound to me, doesn't sound like just the amp, though I'm sure its part of the formula.

Enquiring minds want to know!

[tenspot]

If you're not sure what pickups were used does it matter? I am sure Wes would say find one that works for you. I bet he was constantly looking

[cmajor9]

The tune, by the way, is "Bock to Bock" - one of my favorite Montgomery Bros. compositions, and a lot of fun to play.

[Marty Grass]

I don't know how to respond to this question. What really matters?? That could be asked of everything on this forum, maybe everything about the history of the universe. But I digress.

If you're not sure what pickups were used does it matter?

[Marty Grass]

It's funny about the title of the tune. My CD jacket calls it Back To Back. (See the first track of the 2nd disk.) But I think you're right.

The tune, by the way, is "Bock to Bock" - one of my favorite Montgomery Bros. compositions, and a lot of fun to play.

[Gitfiddler]

Discussions about Wes are fascinating and enlightening. He's my all time favorite guitarist. Great thread!

[Greentone]

Wes! I don't know what to say beyond that. For 50 years his playing has haunted mine. I enjoy dissecting his work more than that of _any_ other jazz artist. Damned, he swung!
[Listen to "Cotton Tail" on So Much Guitar. I know it's just changes, but gawd it swings.]

[neatomic]

always dug this wes session..he seems really relaxed and havin a good time..(but still in complete control!!)

cheers

ps- the original riverside lp has it as back to back..written by buddy montgomery...

[Moonray]

Re "Bock To Bock", I've always thought that it was a little word play on the name of
Dick Bock, the owner of the Pacific Jazz label.

Wes did record for Pacific Jazz early on so ......

I stand to be corrected if anyone has any other notion ....other than it was a good ol SNAFU