Song Rig

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

John Lee Hooker · Mojo Boogie · 1966

Tone Overview

What Makes This Sound Unique

Hooker's most recognisable standard — a slow, heavy blues that has been covered by George Thorogood (who brought it to mass attention), but the Hooker original has a raw, direct quality that the covers cannot match. The guitar is warm, slightly distorted, and the performance is deeply casual and confident.

Signal Chain

1Gibson ES-335 or similar semi-hollow
2Fender amp (pushed to natural breakup)

Amp Settings

Gain / Volume5

Bass7

Mid7

Treble6

Reverb2

Warm, full, and slightly broken up — the 1966 recording period shows Hooker with a more controlled, rounded tone than the raw 1948 recordings. The semi-hollow guitar adds acoustic resonance to the electric signal.

Technique

How to Play It

Extreme rhythmic freedom — Hooker's blues timing is deliberately loose, bending and stretching bar lengths to emphasise lyrics and feelings rather than maintaining strict 12-bar form. Each verse may have slightly different numbers of beats.

Budget Alternative

Achievable With

ES-335 or any semi-hollow → Fender Blues Deluxe at natural breakup → spring reverb → practice playing WITHOUT counting strict bar lengths: follow the lyrical phrasing instead of the metre.

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