Riff Tone

Guess Who

B.B. King

Guitarblues1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV

AmpGibson Lab Series L-5 solid state combo

PickupsGibson humbuckers with Varitone circuit

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6.5

mid7

treble5

reverb3.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, circa 1972. B.B. King used his signature Gibson ES-355 Lucille with both pickups engaged and Varitone set to position 2. Amp was the Lab Series L-5, his preferred studio amp from the early 1970s onward. No pedals were used; signal was guitar straight into amp. Settings are inferred from period-correct sources and typical B.B. King studio practices.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smooththick midrangequick, percussive attackclear and articulate highstouch-sensitive dynamicssinging sustainedge-of-breakup clarityrich, vocal-like phrasingfull-bodied clean toneslight natural compression

Difficulty

While the riff is not technically complex in terms of speed or fretboard movement, it requires precise control of vibrato, bends, and dynamic touch to capture B.B. King's signature expressive style.

Sources

B.B. King’s guitar tone on The Thrill Is Gone: secrets behind the sound | Guitar World B.B. King Amp Settings (gear and tone tips)How to sound like B.B. King - Happy Bluesman B.B. King's Guitars, Amps, Pedals & Other Gear

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