Song Rig

Dimples

John Lee Hooker · Vee-Jay Records Singles · 1956

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Hooker's most catchy and commercial blues — a driving rhythm that became a staple of the British Invasion bands. The Vee-Jay Records sound is cleaner than the early Modern Records recordings, with better microphone placement and studio technique capturing more of the guitar's natural tone.

Signal Chain

1Gibson electric (1950s model)
2Small amp (Vee-Jay studio setup)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume5

Bass6

Mid7

Treble7

The Vee-Jay recordings are slightly cleaner and more polished than the Modern Records era — Hooker's guitar tone became more defined as studio technology improved through the 1950s.

Technique

How to Play It

Stop-time blues rhythm — Dimples uses the stop-time technique where the full band stops and only the guitar and voice play for two beats, then the full band re-enters. Hooker places this pause at key lyrical moments for maximum impact.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

Any electric guitar → small amp at moderate volume → practice stop-time rhythm: play the riff, pause the full beat (lift both hands), re-enter precisely on beat 1 of the next bar. The ensemble discipline required for stop-time is demanding.

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