BB King played a Gibson ES-355 semi-hollow electric guitar called "Lucille."

I’ve studied blues history and played many gigs. I know the gear and the stories behind it. This article explains what type of guitar did bb king play, why he chose it, how it shaped his sound, and how you can chase that tone today. Read on for clear, expert insight and practical tips from someone who has spent years learning and using the same tools.

The guitar: Gibson ES-355 and the story of "Lucille"

BB King’s main guitar was a Gibson ES-355. He named many of his guitars "Lucille." The ES-355 is a thinline semi-hollow electric. Over time Gibson made a signature Lucille model with custom changes for his needs.

If you wonder what type of guitar did bb king play, the short answer is a semi-hollow Gibson ES-355 built and modified to his specs. That choice gave him a warm, singing tone and allowed him to control feedback in loud venues. The story of how the name Lucille came from a near-fatal fight over a fire in 1949 adds a human touch to the instrument’s legend.

Why BB King chose that guitar

BB King wanted a guitar that could sing and cut through a band. Semi-hollow bodies give a mix of woody warmth and electric sustain. The ES-355 offered that balance.

When people ask what type of guitar did bb king play, they also mean why he stuck with it. He liked the ES-355 for its feel, its neck shape, and the tone of its humbucking pickups. He also asked Gibson to remove F-holes on his custom Lucilles to reduce feedback, a practical tweak for live shows.

Technical features that shaped his sound

The ES-355 and the Lucille models share key parts that matter to tone.

• Body type: semi-hollow or thinline design, which blends acoustic warmth with electric clarity.
• Pickups: humbuckers that deliver smooth, even tone and low noise.
• Electronics: some Lucilles had a Varitone or stereo outputs that added tonal options.
• No F-holes: on his custom Lucilles, removing F-holes reduced stage feedback.

Answering what type of guitar did bb king play means looking at these parts. The combination of body, pickups, and wiring made his vibrato and single-note lines sing. It also helped him keep a clean, vocal-like tone even at higher volumes.

How BB King played Lucille: technique and tone

BB King’s touch mattered as much as the guitar. He played with a light pick and used vibrato like a vocal vibrato. He favored single-note lines over heavy chords.

If you ask what type of guitar did bb king play to replicate the sound, remember technique counts. The instrument’s setup—low action, clear string spacing, and clean amp settings—let the notes bloom. I learned this by setting up guitars for small blues clubs; small tweaks to action and pickup height made a big difference in clarity and sustain.

Practical tips to get a Lucille-like setup

You don’t need an original Lucille to chase that tone. You need the right features and settings.

• Choose a semi-hollow or thinline body guitar with humbuckers.
• Set low to medium action and use light-gauge strings for easy bends.
• Use clean amp tones with mild breakup, and favor single-note lines in your playing.
• Control feedback by adjusting position and, if possible, use guitars without F-holes or with a center block.

For those asking what type of guitar did bb king play and how to copy it, start with gear that matches the ES-355’s basics. Then focus on touch and vibrato. The feel is the final piece.

Lucille’s legacy and influence

Lucille is more than a guitar. It’s a symbol of a voice in blues music. Many players and brands made Lucille-inspired models to honor BB King’s sound.

When people search what type of guitar did bb king play, they find not only a model but a way of playing. His approach shaped modern blues and inspired guitarists to value tone, restraint, and melody. That influence shows in blues, jazz, and even rock players who prefer a singing single-note style.

Frequently Asked Questions of what type of guitar did bb king play

What type of guitar did bb king play during most of his career?

BB King played a Gibson ES-355 semi-hollow electric guitar for most of his career. He referred to his guitars as "Lucille."

Did Gibson make a special "Lucille" model for BB King?

Yes. Gibson made signature Lucille models based on his custom ES-355 with changes like removed F-holes and specific electronics. These models honor his specs and tone preferences.

Was Lucille hollow-body or solid-body?

Lucille is based on a semi-hollow thinline design with a center block to control feedback. Some custom features further reduced feedback for stage use.

What pickups did BB King use on Lucille?

Lucille-style guitars used humbucking pickups for a warm, smooth tone with low noise. The pickups helped deliver his vocal-like single-note sound.

Can I get BB King’s tone with a different guitar?

Yes. You can approximate his tone with a semi-hollow guitar and humbuckers and by copying his touch and amp settings. Technique, pickup choice, and setup matter most.

Conclusion

BB King’s choice of a Gibson ES-355 named Lucille defined his sound and his legacy. The guitar’s semi-hollow body, humbuckers, and custom tweaks let his notes sing with warmth and clarity. If you want to recreate that sound, start with gear that mirrors the ES-355’s core features, set up your instrument for easy bending, and practice BB King’s light touch and expressive vibrato. Try one setup, listen, and adjust until you hear the voice you want. If this guide helped you, leave a comment, try the tips, or subscribe for more gear and tone advice.