Riff Tone
Breezin'
George Benson
Guitarjazz1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Johnny Smith
AmpPolytone Taurus IV
PickupsGibson Johnny Smith floating mini-humbucker
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6.5
mid6
treble4.5
reverb4
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1976. Confirmed by multiple interviews and articles that the Gibson Johnny Smith and Polytone Taurus IV were used on the original 'Breezin'' studio recording. No evidence of live/tour gear or Ibanez GB10 for this era/track.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothfat neck pickup tonearticulate and clearfull-bodied jazz timbreminimal reverbno audible breakupdynamic and touch-sensitiverounded attackrich midrangeslightly rolled-off highs
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate jazz technique, including smooth chord transitions, syncopated phrasing, and precise dynamic control for a clean, articulate sound.
Sources
How George Benson made Breezin’ a hit by breaking jazz rules | Guitar WorldGeorge Benson selling rare and vintage guitars on Reverb | Guitar WorldTake your playing from blues to jazz and back with this lesson in the great George Benson’s style | Guitar WorldWhy Frank Gambale doesn't use tubes anymore - The Gear PageEarly Benson Tone: Pickup ?s | The Gear Page
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Create Free AccountGuitarjazz1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Johnny Smith
AmpPolytone Taurus IV
PickupsGibson Johnny Smith floating mini-humbucker
Amp Settings
gain0
bass6.5
mid6
treble4.5
reverb4
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Sources
How George Benson made Breezin’ a hit by breaking jazz rules | Guitar WorldGeorge Benson selling rare and vintage guitars on Reverb | Guitar WorldTake your playing from blues to jazz and back with this lesson in the great George Benson’s style | Guitar WorldWhy Frank Gambale doesn't use tubes anymore - The Gear PageEarly Benson Tone: Pickup ?s | The Gear Page
Notes
Studio recording, 1976. Confirmed by multiple interviews and articles that the Gibson Johnny Smith and Polytone Taurus IV were used on the original 'Breezin'' studio recording. No evidence of live/tour gear or Ibanez GB10 for this era/track.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothfat neck pickup tonearticulate and clearfull-bodied jazz timbreminimal reverbno audible breakupdynamic and touch-sensitiverounded attackrich midrangeslightly rolled-off highs
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate jazz technique, including smooth chord transitions, syncopated phrasing, and precise dynamic control for a clean, articulate sound.
More George Benson tones
- Affirmation · riff
- Breezin' · solo
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- Tenderly · solo