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The Thrill Is Gone — B.B. King1 / 2
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The Thrill Is Gone Riff Guitar Tone Settings — B.B. King

B.B. King · 1970s · blues

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
mid-1960s Gibson ES-355TD-SV
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers with Varitone circuit (position 2), both pickups engaged
Amp
Gibson Lab Series L-5 solid-state combo
Pickup Position
Both pickups engaged (stereo Y-cord), Varitone position 2

Studio recording, 1969. B.B. King used both pickups with the Varitone on position 2, plugged into a Gibson Lab Series L-5 solid-state amp via a stereo Y-cord, sending each pickup to a separate channel. No pedals or stompboxes were used; all tone shaping was via guitar and amp. Settings are for the original studio recording, not live.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
5.5
Gain
0
Reverb
3
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

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Tone Character

  • very clean and glassy
  • warm and smooth
  • quick, percussive attack
  • midrange honk
  • treble cut
  • touch-sensitive
  • round and vocal-like
  • no overdrive or distortion
  • articulate and dynamic
  • forceful attack with heavy pick

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
  • ⚠️No exact amp knob settings found; values estimated based on typical Lab Series L-5 use for clean blues and source tone descriptors.
  • ⚠️No pedals or stompboxes confirmed or audible; all effects are amp-based or from the guitar's Varitone circuit.
  • ⚠️Guitar knob settings are from direct source (Guitar World), amp settings are inferred.
  • ⚠️Presence and reverb levels are estimated based on genre, amp, and era; Lab Series L-5 has minimal reverb and presence controls.
  • ⚠️If alternate amp (Fender Twin) was used, settings may differ, but primary evidence supports Lab Series L-5 for this recording.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. B.B. King's 'The Thrill Is Gone' features a clean, warm, and rounded blues tone with rich mids and bass, minimal breakup, and moderate spring reverb. Typical of his late 60s/early 70s setup (Gibson ES-355 into a clean tube amp like a Fender Twin), these settings reflect his preference for clarity, warmth, and expressive dynamics.

Sources