Song Rig
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Barney Kessel · Easy Like · 1953
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Warm and swinging — Kessel's Gibson ES-350 or similar archtop produces a round, full tone that defined West Coast jazz guitar in the 1950s. The attack is confident and the decay natural, with just enough midrange to project over the acoustic bass.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson ES-350 or ES-175 (P-90 or humbucker)
- 2Small studio amplifier
Amp Settings
Clean and mid-forward — Kessel dialled in the standard West Coast jazz tone: warm but not muddy, present but not bright. Minimal reverb in the studio tradition of the era.
Technique
How to Play It
Swinging chord comping beneath single-note lines — Kessel could accompany himself rhythmically with the thumb and bass strings while playing melody with the upper strings, a classic jazz guitar self-accompaniment technique.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Gibson ES-175 or Epiphone ES-175 equivalent → clean tube combo (Blues Junior or Jazz Chorus) → roll treble to 5 on amp.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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