POST # 255 Ted Dunbar on Wes Montgomery's Amp

One day I asked Wes how he got such a fantastic sound out of his old Gibson amp. He took me to a raggedy radio shop where a guy with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth and glasses down on his nose did something that made it respond the instant you'd touch the guitar. You could play his instrument with only your left hand-that's how sensitive his set-up was.

Wes once said, "You know, I don't have to play." He meant that he wasn't going to die if he couldn't play the guitar. I learned a lot from that statement. He had a large family, and he was going to do whatever it took to fulfill his responsibilities. Playing came so damn easy to him. He was always just smiling and laughing like it was nothing. He was one of those unique human beings who understands the qualities that make good music. He didn't try to impress anyone. Even though he practiced, he didn't have to do it 18 hours a day. I've never seen anyone like him. - Ted Dunbar

( Great guitarist wonderful human being. - Ed )