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Solo Tone
The Thrill Is Gone
B.B. King
Guitarblues1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV (stereo Varitone, Maestro Vibrola tailpiece removed)
AmpGibson LP-1 Les Paul preamp head + LP-2 power amp/speaker cabinet (solid-state, Standel factory, c. 1969)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1969. B.B. King used both pickups with the Varitone switch on position #2, stereo Y-cord to separate amp channels. No pedals; clean solid-state amp for maximum headroom and treble cut. Guitar volume and tone controls actively used for dynamics and color.
Tone Character(10)
clean and glassyquick, percussive attacktreble-forward, cutting highsmidrange honktight and articulatewarm but not muddytouch-sensitivedynamic response to pickingsinging sustain from vibratominimal breakup
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate-level control of vibrato, bending, and phrasing to capture B.B. King's expressive style, but does not involve fast runs or complex chord changes.
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Create Free AccountGuitarblues1960s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV (stereo Varitone, Maestro Vibrola tailpiece removed)
AmpGibson LP-1 Les Paul preamp head + LP-2 power amp/speaker cabinet (solid-state, Standel factory, c. 1969)
Amp Settings
gain0
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1969. B.B. King used both pickups with the Varitone switch on position #2, stereo Y-cord to separate amp channels. No pedals; clean solid-state amp for maximum headroom and treble cut. Guitar volume and tone controls actively used for dynamics and color.
Tone Character(10)
clean and glassyquick, percussive attacktreble-forward, cutting highsmidrange honktight and articulatewarm but not muddytouch-sensitivedynamic response to pickingsinging sustain from vibratominimal breakup
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate-level control of vibrato, bending, and phrasing to capture B.B. King's expressive style, but does not involve fast runs or complex chord changes.