Dickey Betts Gone

[garywright]

View attachment 25601

which model PRS pulled him from a Les Paul

 

[renderit]

One of my top 5.

Saw him many times, he had more talent in one finger than most have in 10.

Very sad.

 

[krankykarl]

R.I.P. my life long guitar hero. He was the reason I could create and feel songs like this.

 

[DrewB]

I learned everything I knew about proper backline from this picture:

I'm just glad that Dickie and Gregg reconciled. RIP

Bob

That was my first proper Allman Brothers Band album, bought from a thrift store in 1990. Even if the vinyl had been trash, the pic on the jacket was worth $.98 or whatever I paid. After wearing out my first copy of I'm No Angel, Don't Want You No More / Not My My Cross To Bear was part of my internal soundtrack. Hearing the original version was eye-opening; altogether more raw and aggressive, and I admit it took a few listens before I "settled in" to the original band's sound. Now that's my internal soundtrack. Not my favorite band, but in the top three, Rush and Steely Dan being the others. Brilliant, soul-stirring music.

 

[Bob Womack]

Originally written for Duane and Barry.

Bob

 

[clapciadrix]

I read where when Duane got back from the Derick Domino Layla sessions, one of the roadies asked him what playing with Clapton was like, supposedly Duane replied “Dickie Betts would wear him out in five minutes!”.

 

[jb_abides]

 

[Steve Craw]

I owe more of my own playing style to Dickey Betts than any other player. There are several of my heros that made me want to play Les Pauls, but Dickey made me want and love the goldtop Les Pauls. I'll always be grateful to you Dickey!

 

[J.D.]

which model PRS pulled him from a Les Paul

I'm guessing a McCarty model from that era, but there were rumors about he and PRS working on a signature model, so perhaps it was some sort of prototype. Just guessing though.

 

[bern1]

Betts really made me want a vintage Les Paul. I still have the 1972 Guitar player issue where he talks about several of them. What a player!

 

[Brown Recluse]

I recall him referring to it as being "Les Paul poor".

 

[jb_abides]

 

[garywright]

8:42 ..go sax daddy go !

 

[Chip's Music]

8:42 ..go sax daddy go !

Paul Smith himself said in a guitar magazine article that the huge neck heel on the McCarty model was an attempt to keep Dickey Betts happy—along with no tremolo

 

[Phil 52]

Yes, I once owned such a PRS McCarty.
It's still one of my biggest regrets to have traded it in for another guitar that
is long gone.

 

[bern1]

I recall him referring to it as being "Les Paul poor".

Yes, that comment was in the GP article referenced. As I recall, he discussed having 4 or 5 at the time.

As others have, he later seemed to have wandered away from the affinity for strictly vintage or strictly Les Paul for that matter.

 

[jb_abides]

Another 'Dickey-McCarty' era pic:

 

[TM1]

Dickey’s PRS is a 1/4” thicker than a stock PRS was at that time. That’s a nice guitar! I’ve played it a few times. I do believe that Duane has it these days.