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Category: Who Plays What
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Last Updated on Friday, 01 March 2013 15:46
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Published on Thursday, 27 March 2008 16:40
B. B. King is an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. Rolling Stone magazine ranked King the 3rd "Greatest Guitarist of All Time" in 2003.
I think you guys will be surprised how simple King's guitar rig is. He basically just has his guitar going direct to a combo amp.
Let's look at some of the gear and equipment that has been seen in B.B. King's guitar rig.
Click the gear images for more info and specs at Musician's Friend
Guitar
- Gibson Lucille guitar.
Notes: This guitar is modelled after a Gibson ES-355 guitar. The Lucille guitar (and the 355, unlike the popular 335) has a "Varitone" control on it which is a six position rotary switch that applies a notch filter at various high frequencies from high to low as it is rotated from position 1 to 6. The guitar also can operate in mono or stereo modes.
- Tip: If you are low on dough, you can get the Epiphone version of the Lucille guitar
- Fender Esquire tele
Amplifier and Cabinet
- Lab Series L5 2x12" combo amp.
Notes: King has been using this amp for a long time. The amp was made by Norlin Industries for Gibson in the 70's and 80's. Other popular L5 users are Allan Holdsworth and Ty Tabor of King's X. The L5 has an onboard compressor, parametric EQ, and four inputs.
- BB also has used a Fender Twin Reverb
Strings and Picks
- Gibson SEG-BBS B.B. King Signature Electric Guitar Strings. gauges: 10-13-17p-32w-45w-54w
- D'Andrea 351 MD SHL CX (Medium .71mm, Tortoise Shell, Celluloid) Picks
Comments
Anyway, Kevin, that manager there is a stupid *ss!
My local music store had a Lab for rent for years and B.B. ALWAYS requested it when he came to townabout every 2 years or so
then they sold it cause the new manager said it was old and cruddy
Gues what? B.B. took his business elsewhere That Lab would peel your skin off if you stood in front of it THAT is how loud it was