Song Rig
Beyond the Sea
George Benson · 20/20 · 1985
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Silky and romantic — Benson's smooth jazz tone at its most accessible. The archtop warmth pairs with light studio reverb to create an intimate, cabaret-style sound that prioritises note-to-note legato connection over attack.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson L-5CES or ES-175 (neck pickup)
- 2Polytone Mini-Brute
- 3Studio hall reverb
Amp Settings
Absolute minimum gain — the Polytone is transparent. The hall reverb fills the space that a rhythm section would normally occupy when playing solo or in a small combo context.
Technique
How to Play It
Legato single-note melody with occasional chord punctuation — every phrase breathes with natural musical dynamics rather than technical displays.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Hollowbody or archtop → Roland JC-40 or Polytone clone → reverb pedal (TC Hall of Fame or Boss RV-6 on hall setting).
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
More from George Benson
Other Song Rigs
Breezin'
Breezin' · 1976
The best-selling jazz album of 1976 and a defining document of smooth jazz — Ben…
View rig →This Masquerade
Breezin' · 1976
The Grammy-winning single from Breezin' — Benson's guitar tone on This Masquerad…
View rig →Give Me the Night
Give Me the Night · 1980
Quincy Jones's production of Benson's biggest pop hit — the guitar here is a rhy…
View rig →On Broadway
Weekend in L.A. · 1977
Soulful and processed — the live version adds a smooth, slightly chorused qualit…
View rig →Turn Your Love Around
Give Me the Night · 1981
Funky and studio-polished — Benson's tone on this Quincy Jones production is cle…
View rig →