B.B. King, the iconic figure in the world of blues music, left an indelible mark on the genre with his soulful voice and mesmerizing guitar playing. His guitar, often referred to as “Lucille,” became as famous as the man himself. The choice of guitar was not just a matter of instrument selection but a crucial element in crafting his signature sound that influenced generations of musicians. Understanding the type of guitar B.B. King played requires delving into the details of the instrument’s make, model, and how it interacted with his playing style. This article will explore the guitars that were an integral part of B.B. King’s musical journey, from their physical characteristics to the role they played in creating his timeless blues sound.
The Legend of Lucille
The Origin Story
The name “Lucille” is synonymous with B.B. King’s guitar. The story behind this name is as fascinating as his music. In 1949, during a performance in Twist, Arkansas, a fight broke out between two men over a woman named Lucille. In the chaos, a kerosene heater was knocked over, starting a fire. B.B. King rushed back into the burning building to retrieve his guitar, which he then named Lucille as a reminder never to do something so foolish again for a woman or anything else. This incident not only gave his guitar a memorable name but also symbolized his deep connection to his instrument.
The Significance of Lucille
Lucille was not just an instrument; it was an extension of B.B. King. Every note he played on Lucille carried the weight of his emotions and experiences. The name became a brand in itself, representing the high-quality blues guitar sound that B.B. King was known for. Fans and musicians alike could immediately associate the name Lucille with the smooth, soulful blues riffs that B.B. King was famous for. It also served as a source of inspiration for generations of guitarists, showing the importance of having a close bond with one’s instrument.
The Gibson ES-335: B.B. King’s Preferred Model
Physical Characteristics
Body Style: B.B. King primarily played the Gibson ES-335. This guitar has a semi- hollow body design. The semi-hollow body consists of a solid center block of wood, which helps to reduce feedback, combined with two f-holes on either side. The f-holes not only add to the guitar’s aesthetic appeal but also contribute to its resonant sound. The body is made of maple, which provides a bright and articulate tone. The size of the ES-335 is relatively large, giving it a full-bodied sound.
Neck and Fretboard: The neck of the Gibson ES-335 is made of mahogany, which is known for its warm and smooth feel. It has a comfortable C-shaped profile that allows for easy fretting, even during B.B. King’s intricate solos. The fretboard is made of rosewood, which has a dark, rich appearance. The rosewood fretboard also adds to the guitar’s tonal complexity, providing a smooth surface for the strings to vibrate against.
Hardware: The guitar is equipped with high-quality hardware. It features Gibson’s classic Tune-o-Matic bridge, which allows for precise intonation adjustment. The tailpiece is a stop-bar, which helps to anchor the strings firmly and contributes to the guitar’s sustain. The pickups on the ES-335 are PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers. These pickups are known for their ability to produce a warm, fat sound with a good balance between treble and bass, which was perfect for B.B. King’s blues style.
Sound Characteristics
Warmth and Richness: The combination of the semi-hollow body, mahogany neck, and PAF humbuckers gives the Gibson ES-335 a warm and rich sound. When B.B. King played chords on Lucille, the notes blended together beautifully, creating a full-bodied sound that was perfect for the slow, soulful blues songs he was famous for. The warmth of the sound added depth to his playing, making each chord and note resonate with emotion.
Sustain: The stop-bar tailpiece and the overall construction of the guitar contribute to its excellent sustain. B.B. King was known for his long, sustained notes during his solos. The ES-335 allowed him to hold a note for an extended period, adding to the expressiveness of his playing. Whether he was bending a note or playing a simple melody, the sustain of the guitar made his solos more captivating.
Versatility: Despite being most associated with blues, the Gibson ES-335 is a versatile guitar. The PAF humbuckers could be adjusted to produce a variety of sounds. B.B. King could use the neck pickup for a warmer, more mellow sound, which was great for rhythm playing. When he switched to the bridge pickup, he could get a brighter, more cutting sound for his solos. This versatility allowed him to adapt his playing to different musical situations, even when collaborating with other artists outside the blues genre.
King’s Guitars
Pickup Adjustments
B.B. King made some custom modifications to his guitars to achieve his signature sound. One of the notable modifications was to the pickups. He often adjusted the height of the pickups to change the tonal balance. By raising or lowering the pickups, he could increase or decrease the output and the amount of treble or bass in the sound. For example, he might raise the bridge pickup slightly to get a more aggressive sound for his solos, while keeping the neck pickup at a lower height for a smoother rhythm sound.
String Gauge Preferences
Another modification was related to the string gauge. B.B. King preferred a relatively light string gauge. Lighter strings are easier to bend, which was crucial for his playing style. His blues solos were filled with expressive bends, and lighter strings allowed him to execute these bends more smoothly and with less effort. He typically used strings in the range of.010 to.046 gauge, which provided the right balance between playability and tone for his style of playing.
B.B. King’s Influence on Guitar Design
Inspiration for Signature Models
B.B. King’s popularity and his association with the Gibson ES-335 led to the creation of several signature models. Gibson released the B.B. King Lucille Signature Model, which was a reproduction of the guitars he used in his later career. These signature models were designed to capture the exact look and sound of B.B. King’s guitars. They often featured custom-made pickups that were voiced to match his preferred tone. The signature models also had cosmetic details, such as the Lucille name inlay on the headstock, which made them highly desirable among guitar collectors and fans of B.B. King’s music.
Impact on Semi-Hollow Body Guitar Design
His use of the semi-hollow body Gibson ES-335 also had a significant impact on guitar design in general. The semi-hollow body design, which was already popular, became even more so after B.B. King’s widespread use of it. Other guitar manufacturers started to produce their own versions of semi-hollow body guitars, inspired by the sound and playability that B.B. King achieved with the ES-335. The semi-hollow body design became a staple in many genres of music, not just blues, as musicians sought to capture the warm, resonant sound that B.B. King had made famous.
B.B. King’s Guitar-Playing Style and the Guitar’s Role
The Bluesy Bends
B.B. King’s playing style was characterized by his soulful bends. The design of the Gibson ES-335, with its comfortable neck and light-gauge strings, was perfect for this. When he bent a note, the guitar responded with a smooth, gradual change in pitch. The sustain of the guitar allowed him to hold the bent note for as long as he wanted, adding to the expressiveness of his playing. For example, in his song “The Thrill Is Gone,” his bends on Lucille were a key element in creating the emotional impact of the song.
The Signature Riffs
His signature riffs, which were a combination of single-note melodies and chord voicings, were also enhanced by the sound of the guitar. The warm, rich tone of the ES-335 made his riffs stand out. Whether he was playing a simple two-note riff or a more complex sequence of notes, the guitar’s tone added depth and character. His use of the guitar’s pickups to switch between different sounds also allowed him to create dynamic riffs. He could start a riff with a warm, mellow sound from the neck pickup and then switch to a brighter sound from the bridge pickup for a more aggressive ending.
Conclusion
B.B. King’s choice of the Gibson ES-335, affectionately named Lucille, was a defining factor in his musical career. The physical and sound characteristics of the guitar, combined with his custom modifications, allowed him to create his unique blues sound. His influence on guitar design, through the creation of signature models and the popularization of the semi-hollow body design, is still felt today. The connection between B.B. King and his guitar was not just a matter of instrument and player but a relationship that produced some of the most iconic blues music in history. His story serves as an inspiration for guitarists everywhere, showing how the right guitar can be a partner in creating music that touches the soul.
