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The first amp I had back in the '50s was a small Fender.

I like the guitar better these days. I like the bass, too, but it's hard to fit a bass amp in a small car.

In early '57, I bought a Fender Telecaster.

My dad was a bass player in a Latino band when I was growing up. So we always had musical instruments in our basement.

I met Leo Fender, who is the guru of all amplifiers, and he gave me a Stratocaster. He became a second father to me.

I remember one of the first gigs I played with that amp was at a local church. They wanted someone to fill in with the guitar and my friend say, 'Ah, he can play.' And so I dragged the amplifier down and started playing and everybody started yelling 'turn it down!'

I was not a great guitarist, so I sold my 1960 Fender Stratocaster in exchange for a Shure Microphone, made in Chicago, and a flute.

I use Gibson guitars; I prefer the Les Paul custom.