Leslie West's Amps

Guitar Toad

Guitar Toad

Toadily Stratologist
Back in 1986, I went to see Triump in KC. I was excited about the show. I knew that Rik Emmitt was a player. This band by the name of Mountain was the opening act. The only thing I knew about Mountain was there was a guy in the band named Leslie West and they had a tune I had heard on the radio a few times, "Mississippi Queen."

I was rocked. Man that guy could play. He had a black Les Paul and walked around the stage and played for an hour. I could have gone home after that. I felt like I had gotten my money's worth from the opening act. One of the few times I ever thought that. He just played some hot rockin blues. I never did, but I probably buy a mountain CD. I wonder if there is a live Mountian or Leslie West album that captures his live playing vibe really well.

I could google up his gear, but it's lots more fun to ask you guys. I know he had a black LP. I don't remember what amps he used. I'm assuming he was using Marshall amps and cabs. Perhaps one of you guys will know.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

last time I saw him I think he had 2 100 watt Marshall heads (in a fairly small club!)

he's known for playing an LP jr (on Miss. Queen), although he plays other models, and has a sig guitar now (not a Gibson, btw)
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Back in the 70's I believe he played Sunn amps. My wife saw them once a long time ago and says it was the loudest concert she's ever been to. With Sunn, it's no wonder.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

i thought his main thing was LP jrs into sunn amps.

btw, anybody ever hear the Who's Next recordings with Leslie West joining the Who for lead guitar? Very cool stuff. You can slide Pete's guitar out and hear just Leslie, Moon, and Entwistle jamming. Cool stuff.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Les Paul Juniors into Sunn amps. Probably a dirt box of some sort too. Sunn's are NOT easy to drive.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

I believe they are in the Guinness records book for being the loudest band. I can't remember the exact decibel level, but it was way in excess of 120.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Curly said:
last time I saw him I think he had 2 100 watt Marshall heads (in a fairly small club!)

he's known for playing an LP jr (on Miss. Queen), although he plays other models, and has a sig guitar now (not a Gibson, btw)
Click to expand...

I want one very badly, but not for $4000.

les_main.jpg
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Stramp amps. I doubt they are still available.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

He used Stramp's for a bit too. When I plug my Jr into the Stramp, it has that massive, beautiful, sound. Leslie has among the greatest, heavy tones, EVER IMO. If you check out youtube, search Leslie West, there are some astounding early live performances. He also had one of the greatest rock rhythm sections ever. Right up there with The Who and Zepp IMO.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Yeah Leslie West is Awsome. I watched his instructional DVD, called Big Phat Ass Guitar, and his gear includes 100 watt Marshalls and a Trainwreck for extra bass. He says he can't play fast so he tries to stretch everything out of each note he plays. He focuses on what he does well and gets the most out of it. Missippi Queen is one of Rock's all-time greatest riffs.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Jeff_H said:
I want one very badly, but not for $4000.

les_main.jpg
Click to expand...

Too bad with the 4k pricetag, they also couldn't get the right pickup in there... Leslie West was known for his P90 tone, most people could give two sh*ts about him playing a humbucker guitar.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

With the 4k you could buy a REAL Leslie West signature guitar - The Gibson Historic '56 Les Paul Junior! And still have a nice bit of cash left over.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

the_Chris said:
Too bad with the 4k pricetag, they also couldn't get the right pickup in there... Leslie West was known for his P90 tone, most people could give two sh*ts about him playing a humbucker guitar.
Click to expand...

There was an article either on the Dean site or somewhere else where Leslie says he now prefers the sound/tone of humbuckers over the P-90's. and says he's really, really happy the the pickup that was selected to be in his signature guitar, although not much info is forthcomming on it.
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

i saw Mountian a few years ago open for Deep Purple.... man they blew me away.... I saw Marshall 4x12's on stage during that show... not 100% sure what amps but i saw Marshall Cabs... For a short time he used 5150's in the 90's...

Corky Lang the drummer was a real trip to watch.... he pounded the hell out of his drums and hit the cymbals in such a way that the sticks would fly out into the audience... Very cool trick... roadies dancing around trying to keep his stands upright from the abuse....
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

Leslie has been using Buckers for a long time now...Dean's, Gibsons and a ton of custom stuff from Ed Roman...he has also been using Marshalls, Wrecks and loads of other amps for a whil now too but the classic Leslie West tone was Jr's, Sunn amps and Stramp amps...period!
 
Re: Leslie West's Amps

When I saw him back in the 70's, all I saw were Marshalls. He also switched between a Flying V, a Lp Jr., and a goldtop LP at the shows I saw...
 
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