Sound Like Albert King
Albert King is one of the most recognisable voices in blues — a soulful and deeply expressive player who shaped the sound of a defining era for electric guitar. Albert King was left-handed but played a right-handed guitar upside down and unstrung in reverse — meaning his bends went downward rather than upward. This physical quirk gave his string bends a unique, scooped sound that seemed to pull notes down toward the floor, influencing SRV, Hendrix and virtually every blues player who heard it. Below are complete rig guides at four budget levels, so you can start building their sound whether you're just starting out or ready to invest in the full setup.
Budget Comparison
Pick Your Budget Level
£1,000 · Pro-Level
~£917
- GuitarEpiphone Flying V
- AmpFender Blues Junior IV
- EQMXR M108S 10-Band EQ
£2,500 · Premium
~£2497
- GuitarGibson Flying V Tribute
- AmpFender Blues DeVille
- ReverbWalrus Audio Fundamental Reverb
Tone Profile
Albert King's Sound
Gibson Flying V (played upside down) into a Fender Super Reverb or Acoustic 360 bass amp. The upside-down string configuration means the wound strings are on top — bends go downward toward the floor. The tone is warm, thick and mid-forward with a distinctively wide, slow vibrato that seems to groan rather than shimmer.
Tone Match
Closest Real-World Tone Match
If you like Albert King's tone, these players use a similar approach — same gear philosophy, comparable sound characteristics.