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Solo Tone
Blues Boys Tune
B.B. King
Guitarblues1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV 'Lucille'
AmpGibson Lab Series L5 solid-state combo
Amp Settings
gain2.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, late 1990s ('Blues on the Bayou' album, 1998). B.B. King used his signature Lucille ES-355 with both pickups engaged and Varitone position 2. Amp is the Lab Series L5, his main studio and live amp from the late 1970s onward.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothnasal, out-of-phase midrangesinging sustaintouch-sensitivequick, percussive attackbright but not harshround, vocal-like phrasingclean with edge-of-breakupdynamic response to pickingminimal compression
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate to advanced blues phrasing, with B.B. King's signature vibrato, precise bends, and dynamic control. While not fast or technically complex in terms of speed, the expressive nuances and articulation demand strong control and feel.
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarblues1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV 'Lucille'
AmpGibson Lab Series L5 solid-state combo
Amp Settings
gain2.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, late 1990s ('Blues on the Bayou' album, 1998). B.B. King used his signature Lucille ES-355 with both pickups engaged and Varitone position 2. Amp is the Lab Series L5, his main studio and live amp from the late 1970s onward.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothnasal, out-of-phase midrangesinging sustaintouch-sensitivequick, percussive attackbright but not harshround, vocal-like phrasingclean with edge-of-breakupdynamic response to pickingminimal compression
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate to advanced blues phrasing, with B.B. King's signature vibrato, precise bends, and dynamic control. While not fast or technically complex in terms of speed, the expressive nuances and articulation demand strong control and feel.