Likely his influence was more indirect and subtle as an innovator and experimentalist in a still primitive era. Of course his direct connection with Leo Fender as in house test pilot made him invaluable with the development of a lot of the gear the 60s and 70s guitar gods utilized to reach the top of the mountain. Speedy and several other unsung heroes built that mountain. Swing that thang, Speedy!
I love the guitarists from the '60s and 70s but they don't have shit over Speedy West. What an innovator. Where would Hendrix, EVH and SRV be without Speedy?
I'm sure they'd be just fine, considering there are plenty of guitar heroes from the same time who they likely looked up to more so than Speedy. Love Speedy West, but I really don't think he had a lot of influence or a large effect on any of those guitarists. All of those guys come out of the blues...
