John Lee Hooker — Rig Network

Hooker's primary guitar through his most commercially visible period — the semi-hollow Sheraton's warm, sustaining humbuckers suit his minimal chord movement and rhythmically focused approach. The guitar's acoustic resonance contributes to the natural, unprocessed quality of his tone.

Unique to this artist in the database

The 335 used alongside and eventually replacing the Sheraton — similar semi-hollow construction with slightly different pickup voicing. The 335's versatility across clean and slightly driven settings suits Hooker's dynamic range.

Early career instrument — Hooker recorded 'Boogie Chillen' on a budget archtop electric guitar, the imperfection of which contributes to the raw, direct character of the recording. The Kay's high action and single-coil pickup produce a biting, slightly compressed tone that defines early electric blues.

Unique to this artist in the database

One of the amplifiers used during the early Detroit recording period — the GA-20's single speaker and moderate output provides the slightly overdriven, warm tone of the early electric blues recordings without external gain pedals.

Unique to this artist in the database

The Tweed Deluxe for moderate-volume club and recording work — pushed to natural breakup, the Deluxe's 6V6 power tubes produce a warm, slightly compressed overdrive when the guitar volume and attack are both at maximum.