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Riff Tone
Bumpin' On Sunset
Wes Montgomery
Guitarjazz1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson L-5 CES (sunburst, Venetian cutaway, 1960s)
AmpStandel Super Custom XV (solid-state, JBL D-130 speaker, 1965-66 studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass7
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Notes
Studio recording, 1966. Wes Montgomery used his Gibson L-5 CES with the neck pickup, plugged into a Standel Super Custom XV amp. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects for the riff section. All tone comes from guitar, amp, and playing technique (thumb, no pick).
Tone Character(10)
warm and woodysmooth and rounded highsfull-bodied archtop resonancesoft, mellow attack (thumb technique)rich midrange presenceslightly rolled-off trebleclear note separationnatural, organic sustainminimal amp breakupacoustic-like jazz tone
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-to-advanced jazz technique, including thumb picking, smooth chord transitions, and dynamic control for a warm, expressive sound. The technical challenge is in the phrasing and articulation, not speed.
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Create Free AccountGuitarjazz1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson L-5 CES (sunburst, Venetian cutaway, 1960s)
AmpStandel Super Custom XV (solid-state, JBL D-130 speaker, 1965-66 studio recording)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass7
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1966. Wes Montgomery used his Gibson L-5 CES with the neck pickup, plugged into a Standel Super Custom XV amp. No evidence of pedals or outboard effects for the riff section. All tone comes from guitar, amp, and playing technique (thumb, no pick).
Tone Character(10)
warm and woodysmooth and rounded highsfull-bodied archtop resonancesoft, mellow attack (thumb technique)rich midrange presenceslightly rolled-off trebleclear note separationnatural, organic sustainminimal amp breakupacoustic-like jazz tone
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate-to-advanced jazz technique, including thumb picking, smooth chord transitions, and dynamic control for a warm, expressive sound. The technical challenge is in the phrasing and articulation, not speed.