B.B. King
B.B. King is universally regarded as the King of the Blues. His unique style — rapid string vibrato and controlled string bends without fingerstyle technique — created an instantly identifiable vocabulary. He played the same kind of guitar (ES-355 named 'Lucille') for his entire career and developed a tone that influenced virtually every electric blues guitarist that came after him.
Gibson ES-355 'Lucille' into a clean Fender amp — warm, fat single-note lines with the most expressive vibrato in blues. B.B. never used distortion — his tone was about touch, vibrato width and sustain at clean amp volumes. The f-holes were blocked on Lucille to prevent feedback.
Guitars
Gibson ES-355 "Lucille"
"Lucille" — named after a woman in a bar fight. ES-355 with Varitone selector and stereo output. F-holes blocked for feedback prevention. Multiple guitars throughout career all named Lucille.
Gibson B.B. King Lucille Signature
Production signature — ES-355 style with blocked f-holes.
Full specs & buy →Amplifiers
Fender Bassman
1950s–1960sEarly career amp — clean, full, warm.
Lab Series L5
1970s–1990sSolid-state but warm — his primary amp from the 1970s onwards.
Fender Vibro-King
1990s–2015Later career amp — clean Fender with spring reverb.
Effects Pedals
No effects
B.B. King never used guitar effects. Guitar → cable → amp. All expression came from vibrato, bending and picking dynamics.
Key Albums & Tone
The definitive live blues recording. Raw, immediate ES-355 tone.
"The Thrill Is Gone" — his commercial breakthrough, still the blues standard.
Collaborative album — B.B.'s tone contrasting beautifully with Clapton's Strat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar does B.B. King use?
Gibson ES-355 "Lucille" and Gibson B.B. King Lucille Signature. "Lucille" — named after a woman in a bar fight. ES-355 with Varitone selector and stereo output. F-holes blocked for feedback prevention. Multiple guitars throughout career all named Lucille.
What amp does B.B. King use?
Fender Bassman and Lab Series L5. Early career amp — clean, full, warm.
What pedals does B.B. King use?
B.B. King uses No effects.
What is B.B. King's signature sound?
Gibson ES-355 'Lucille' into a clean Fender amp — warm, fat single-note lines with the most expressive vibrato in blues. B.B. never used distortion — his tone was about touch, vibrato width and sustain at clean amp volumes. The f-holes were blocked on Lucille to prevent feedback.