Monty has a pretty good music studio setup in the basement. Here are some
photos of the instruments. Keep reading for more description:
The Gibson SG
My first brand new electric guitar since 1977. This is the ’61 Reissue Gibson SG. In 1961, the traditional Les Paul Standard received a makeover that included a thinner body with sharply pointed horns and eventually a new name - the SG. Today's reissue features the small pickguard and nickel-plated hardware of the original '61. It features a Mahogany body with a Heritage Cherry finish, ’57 Classic Humbucker pickups, and a thinner neck than the current standard SG. This is absolutely my favorite guitar. Super easy to play, amazing tone, and fantastic sustain.
The Amp
The Line 6 Flextone III XL is absolutely awesome. With 32 amp models and 15 cabinet models I can make it sound just like any popular band. It also has several types of reverb, delay, and modulation. I also have a FBV Shortboard connected so I can control the amp with my foot. Having a footswitch allows me to swap out patches without reaching over and twiddling knobs on the amp.
The Fender Bass
The Fender Musicmaster is a 3/4 scale bass guitar with a single pickup. I also have the matching Fender Musicmaster Bass amplifier. It is a 12 watt amp with a single 12 in. speaker. I traded in my Yamaha trumpet for it when I was in Junior High and have played it off and on since then. I remember many nights sitting around the piano with the rest of the family jamming out to the Greatest Hits of the 70’s. This bass has travelled far and wide with me as I made my way through life, and I still love playing it.
The Fender Guitar
This guitar was part of the same trumpet trade-in as the bass. It is a matching Fender Musicmaster 6-string guitar. It’s 3/4 scale and single pickup simplicity are it’s strengths. It has a fantastic tone and is one of the easiest guitars I have played. Easy action, smooth neck, all around excellent guitar.
The Drums
I picked up a used set of Sunlite drums from my nephew Jim in 2008. With the addition of some Paiste cymbals, the kit was complete. Although I’m no John Bonham, I have learned quite a bit so far. I’ve taken a few lessons from Rupp’s Drums in Denver and built on that with my own practice.
The Yamaha Guitar
My first major purchase after leaving home for college. I bout this guitar in Dodge City, KS at Boothill Music for $300. It was a big deal for me to spend that much money on a guitar. I love the sound of this guitar. I have played many other acoustics over the years and nothing compares to the Yamaha. It’s a bit dinged up, but hey, that’s just part of playing.
The Keyboard
The keyboard is a 1970’s vintage Fender Rhodes Mark I. Many Jazz greats of the late 60’s and early 70’s made the Rhodes popular. Artists like Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder used it on many of thier recordings. I acquired it from a friend a few years ago and have been using i ever since. It is very easy to tune and sound great hooked up to the Musicmaster amp.
