Lucille Blues
The Thrill is Gone · inspired by B.B. King
Warm, vocal-like blues crunch with moderate compression bringing out note definition and sustain. Signature tone emphasizes midrange warmth and dynamic responsiveness from legendary Fender Vibroverb.
Amp
0–100 · 50 = noon- Pickup
- Neck
- Volume
- 9
- Tone
- 8
Cabinet
Effects
3 on- Compressorsustain 50 · level 55
- Echotape echo (solos only)time 160ms · feedback 20 · mix 18
- Reverbspringdecay 32 · tone 55 · mix 28
Off: gate, modulation
Songs with this sound
About this tone
The artist
B.B. King, 'The King of the Blues', pioneered the electric blues sound and influenced countless guitarists with his soulful bends, vibrato, and emotional expression on his legendary guitar named 'Lucille'.
Where the tone comes from
The Thrill is Gone's tone comes from B.B.'s signature Lucille guitar through a Fender Vibroverb amplifier with moderate compression and spring reverb, creating a warm, vocal-like tone emphasizing midrange clarity.
Context
Released in 1969, 'The Thrill is Gone' became B.B. King's most iconic composition, featuring his signature bends and vibrato technique that would influence rock and blues players for decades to come.
How to play it
- Emotional Vibrato Control Use wide vibrato (¼ step variation) with moderate speed for emotional impact. Start vibrato slightly after strike and increase intensity for sustained notes - this mimics vocal expression.
- Controlled Bend Expression Bend notes with purpose - quarter-tone bends for blues feel, full-step bends for emphasis. Let bends sustain naturally with the amp's compression bringing up quiet passages.
- Midrange Presence Keep middle frequencies prominent by positioning near middle pickup or mixed position. This creates the 'singing' quality - sounding more like a voice and less like a machine.
Original gear
- Amp
- Fender Vibroverb amplifier (1960s tube amp)
- Guitar
- Custom Gibson 'Lucille' ES-355 semi-hollow body
- Cabinet
- Fender 1x15 speaker
- Notes
- Lucille is known for its sustain and natural feedback control. Combination of Fender warm reverb and semi-hollow body creates signature tone. Heavy emphasis on playing dynamics and vibrato.
Watch and listen
What each control does
- Gain
- Preamp drive. Higher adds breakup, sustain and distortion.
- Master
- Output level and feel. Balances loudness without changing the EQ.
- Bass
- Low-end body. Too much gets boomy; less tightens palm mutes.
- Mid
- Note focus. More mids help leads cut through; fewer sound wider.
- Treble
- Brightness and attack. Raise for bite, lower to soften harshness.
- Compressor
- Evens out picking dynamics and adds sustain.
- Gate
- Cuts hiss when you are not playing.
- Modulation
- Chorus or phaser: movement and width.
- Echo
- Repeats your signal. Time and mix set the space.
- Reverb
- Room, plate or hall ambience after the amp.
Similar tones
Values are community approximations, not official manufacturer presets. Song titles, artist names and gear models belong to their owners and are used for reference only.