Albert King — Rig Network

King called his Flying V "Lucy" — played left-handed without restringing, meaning the bass strings were at the bottom of his right hand (from his perspective) rather than the top. This inverted orientation fundamentally changed the physics of string bending — pulling toward the floor (which would be a standard push-up bend for a right-handed player) produces a descending pitch on standard right-hand bending motion. His pull-toward-the-floor technique on the treble strings produces bends that reach further and with less effort than standard technique, contributing to the enormous bends in his lead playing.

Unique to this artist in the database

Occasional semi-hollow guitar use — the ES-335 produced a warmer, slightly more acoustic character for some studio sessions.

King's primary amp for most of his Stax and later career — the Ampeg V4 produces a warm, full, clean sound with the 6L6-adjacent character of American tube design. The clean headroom allows his Flying V's output to drive the amp into gentle, smooth breakup at performance volumes without harsh Marshall-style distortion.

Unique to this artist in the database

Stax studio recordings used Fender amplification available at Memphis studios — the Dual Showman's clean headroom and powerful low-end suited the session approach of Booker T. & the MGs accompaniment.

Unique to this artist in the database