Song Rig
Texas
Mike Bloomfield · Super Session · 1968
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
Late-night blues with a fat, round Gibson tone — Bloomfield's Les Paul through a Marshall is warm and unhurried. The tone has a liquid quality from the PAF pickups — note separation is clear but the decay is smooth and musical.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson Les Paul Standard (neck pickup, 1959–60 era PAFs)
- 2Fender Twin Reverb or Marshall Super Lead
Amp Settings
Moderate gain — Bloomfield rarely used heavy saturation, preferring the natural breakup of a loud tube amp. The Fender Twin on the Super Session album adds spring reverb to his already warm Les Paul tone.
Technique
How to Play It
Slow, expressive vibrato on sustained notes — Bloomfield's vibrato is wide and vocal, developed directly from listening to B.B. King and Muddy Waters.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Gibson Les Paul or ES-335 → Fender Blues Deluxe or Tweed Deluxe → light drive. The goal is natural amp breakup, not pedal distortion.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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