George Benson

Turn Your Love Around

George Benson · Give Me the Night · 1981

What Makes This Sound Unique

Funky and studio-polished — Benson's tone on this Quincy Jones production is cleaner and more processed than his jazz work, with a chorus shimmer and tight studio compression giving every note a pop brightness.

  1. 1Gibson ES-175 or studio guitar
  2. 2Roland Jazz Chorus JC-120 (stereo chorus engaged)
  3. 3Studio compressor (LA-2A or dbx 160)
Gain / Volume2
Bass5
Mid6
Treble7
Reverb3

Brighter EQ than his jazz work — the pop production context demands more high-end presence. The JC-120's stereo chorus is always on for this era of Benson.

How to Play It

Short, staccato funk-influenced picking on chord stabs with fluid single-note fills — Benson adapted his jazz vocabulary for pop radio without losing technical depth.

Achievable With

Semi-hollow → Roland JC-40 with chorus on → light compression. MXR Dyna Comp before the amp captures the studio compression feel.

Adapt to My Amp

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This Masquerade

Breezin' · 1976

The Grammy-winning single from Breezin' — Benson's guitar tone on This Masquerad

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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

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On Broadway

Weekend in L.A. · 1977

Soulful and processed — the live version adds a smooth, slightly chorused qualit

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Beyond the Sea

20/20 · 1985

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