Wes Montgomery

Throughout this video, Wes Montgomery plays a Gibson L-5 CES. This article from Jazz Guitar says "During his entire career Wes Montgomery played almost exclusively on a Gibson L-5 (cutaway electric spanish) from 1963. He wasn't really interested in equipment. In his own words: 'I got a standard box. I don’t never want nothing special. Then if I drop my box, I can borrow somebody else’s." This article from Gibson confirms Wes' use of the L-5.

Here, Wes is seen holding a 175. It is distinctive for its fret inlays and the Florentine cut of the guitar. He can also be seen holding it on the cover of his album "Movin' Wes"

Wes Montgomery played a Gibson L-7 on the recordings of The Wes Montgomery Trio (1959).

According to Jazzguitar.be, Wes Montgomery never really found the amp that sounded the way he wanted it to. In his later years Wes Montgomery played this Standel amp : the Super Custom XV has 2 channels, a normal one and a reverb/vibrato one. The amplifier has 70 watts RMS and a JBL speaker.

On this 1965 show, you can see the panel of his amp including the Sandel logo on the left side and the right number of pots : 3 on the left and 2 on the right. Since the video is more than a hour long, go directly at 39:40. Moreover, on the official website of Standel, a short page is dedicated to Wes : http://www.standelamps.com/about_us/story/story_p10.html

from Music Radar:

"Contrary to popular belief, he was constantly looking for ways to brighten the sound. His strings were, in the words of Russell Malone, "cables!" - 0.014 to 0.058. His choice of amp fluctuated between Fender Super Reverbs and Twins, before he switched to a Standel Super Custom in the mid 60s."

from Music Radar:

"Contrary to popular belief, he was constantly looking for ways to brighten the sound. His strings were, in the words of Russell Malone, "cables!" - 0.014 to 0.058. His choice of amp fluctuated between Fender Super Reverbs and Twins, before he switched to a Standel Super Custom in the mid 60s."

Producer Steve Hoffman has stated his use of the LA-2A for Montgomery.

My Teletronix LA-2A, ganged for stereo or mono reproduction via the handy toggle switch in the center of the two units. (...) I've used it on countless projects, Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Beach Boys, Doors, Eagles, Ringo, McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee, Jethro Tull, Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Morrison, White Stripes, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ella Fitzgerald, Yes, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Steely Dan, Steppenwolf, Bad Company, Jim Croce, Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Dave Mason, Paul Simon, America, The Band, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Cars, ZZ Top, James Taylor, Art Pepper, Steve Miller Band, Queen, Rod Stewart, Duke Ellington, John Lee Hooker, Al Jolson, Roy Orbison, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis, Jr., The Who, Lightnin' Hopkins, Bill Haley & his Comets, Miles Davis, Mamas and Papas, Blue Öyster Cult, The Byrds, Eric Clapton, Bill Evans Trio, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Phil Collins, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, Jeff Beck, Doobie Bros., Faces, Grand Funk, Heart, Billy Joel, Linda Ronstadt, Ten Years After, Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Pat Benetar, Elton John, Leon Russell, Metallica. etc.

Used in Gibson's signature guitar for Wes Montgomery.