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Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by B.B. King. Every item links to its public source.
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What guitar does B.B. King play?

B.B. King said he was crazy about Fender Twin amps and always used Gibson Lab Series amps too. He was seen with Gibson ES-355 guitars he named Lucille, and Gibson made a Lucille signature model in the 1980s. His first Lucille was reportedly a Gibson L-30 archtop.

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What guitar gear B.B. King uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

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About B.B. King's gear.

What guitar did B.B. King play?

He was seen with Gibson ES-355 guitars, which he named Lucille. Gibson honored him in the 1980s with a Lucille signature model, an ES-355 style guitar without f-holes and with a fine-tuning bridge.

What amp did B.B. King use?

He told Guitarist in 2009 that he liked tube amps and had always been crazy about Fender Twins, with volume and treble all the way up and bass at about 6. He said he had always used old Gibson Lab Series amps too.

Why did B.B. King call his guitar Lucille?

He said two men fought over a woman named Lucille at an Arkansas club, knocking over a kerosene can that set the place on fire. He ran back in for his guitar and named it Lucille to remind himself never to do that again.

What was B.B. King's first electric guitar?

He said he bought his first electric guitar after moving to Memphis: a Gibson with a DeArmond pickup, played through a small Gibson amp.

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B.B. King
About this guide · Last checked

B.B. King (1925 to 2015) was the King of the Blues, known for Live at the Regal, The Thrill Is Gone and his guitars named Lucille. This legacy guide covers the Gibson guitars and the Fender and Gibson Lab Series amps he played, from his own words to Guitarist and Guitar Player.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. B.B. King didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

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truerecs gear guides are independent research from public sources, not made or approved by the artist. Store buttons on this page may be affiliate links: truerecs may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. B.B. King isn't paid for them. Report an error or ask for removal. Full disclosure.