Solo Tone
Hummingbird
B.B. King & John Mayer
Guitarblues2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV (B.B. King Lucille signature, stereo Varitone circuit)
AmpGibson Les Paul LP-1 preamp head into Gibson LP-2 power amp/speaker cabinet
PickupsGibson 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5
mid6
treble6
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2010s. B.B. King used the #2 Varitone setting with both pickups engaged, stereo Y-cord into separate amp channels. John Mayer likely used his own rig for his solo, but this data is for B.B. King's solo section as per sources.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothsinging sustaintouch-sensitivemidrange honktreble cutquick, percussive attackarticulate blues leadhummingbird-like vibratoforceful pick attackclean headroom
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate-level phrasing, expressive vibrato, and dynamic control typical of B.B. King's style, but does not involve advanced speed or complex chord work.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarblues2010s+
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355TD-SV (B.B. King Lucille signature, stereo Varitone circuit)
AmpGibson Les Paul LP-1 preamp head into Gibson LP-2 power amp/speaker cabinet
PickupsGibson 490R (neck) and 490T (bridge) humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5
mid6
treble6
reverb3
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 2010s. B.B. King used the #2 Varitone setting with both pickups engaged, stereo Y-cord into separate amp channels. John Mayer likely used his own rig for his solo, but this data is for B.B. King's solo section as per sources.
Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothsinging sustaintouch-sensitivemidrange honktreble cutquick, percussive attackarticulate blues leadhummingbird-like vibratoforceful pick attackclean headroom
Difficulty
The solo requires intermediate-level phrasing, expressive vibrato, and dynamic control typical of B.B. King's style, but does not involve advanced speed or complex chord work.