How to Dial In "West Coast Blues" by Wes Montgomery - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "West Coast Blues"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
A blues played in three-four time on The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery, with Tommy Flanagan, Percy Heath and Albert Heath. The solo is the textbook Wes build, single notes first, then octaves, then block chords, all thumb-picked on the neck pickup. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Gibson L-5 through a Twin Reverb stands in. Use the neck pickup with a clean amp with the guitar's tone control rolled back for a warm, round sound. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "West Coast Blues" Tone
What guitar did Wes Montgomery use on "West Coast Blues"?
The guitar on "West Coast Blues" (released 1960) isn't documented; the Gibson L-5 CES above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "West Coast Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 1.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 4.5, Presence 4, Volume 5. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "West Coast Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "West Coast Blues" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "West Coast Blues" by Wes Montgomery are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.