Song Rig

As the Years Go Passing By

Albert King · Live Wire/Blues Power · 1968

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Albert King at his most emotionally devastating — a slow, minimal blues where every note is loaded with expression. The Flying V tone sustains longer than the studio Stax recordings because the live Fillmore setting allows the amp to be louder. The tone has a raw, unedited quality that showcases Albert's natural dynamics.

Signal Chain

1Gibson Flying V (left-handed upside-down)
2Fender Dual Showman (Fillmore stage volume)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume5

Bass7

Mid7

Treble6

Reverb3

Live stage volume — the Fillmore recordings capture Albert with the amp louder than the Stax studio sessions, giving more natural power amp saturation and longer sustain on held notes.

Technique

How to Play It

Maximum expression per note — As the Years Go Passing By is the ultimate example of the 'every note means something' approach. Albert holds each bend for 2–4 seconds before releasing, milking every pitch for maximum emotional content.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any guitar with good sustain → any amp at high volume → practice holding bends for an uncomfortable length of time before releasing. The key technique is resisting the urge to move to the next note.

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