Everyday I Have the Blues

The recording

Recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles on March 2 1954 (released 1955), B.B. King performed the lead on his iconic Gibson ES‑355 “Lucille”, using the neck pickup. The signal ran through a Gibson Lab Series 2×12 solid‑state combo, whose clean headroom and subtle breakup give the track its smooth, singing blues tone. King's subtle vibrato and controlled bends are captured with a tight mic placement on his guitar.

Reported gear

1959 Gibson ES-355TD-SV

Guitar

B.B. King's signature Gibson ES‑355 semi‑hollow “Lucille”, a 1959 ES‑355TD‑SV, provides the warm, resonant tone heard on the track; King used the neck pickup to achieve his vocal‑like sustain.

Gibson Lab Series 2×12 Combo (1980s)

Amp

The tone is attributed to a Gibson Lab Series 2×12 solid‑state combo, which King employed in later studio sessions for its clean headroom and subtle breakup, shaping the smooth blues sound on the recording.

Alternatives

Epiphone ES-335

Budget alternative · for the 1959 Gibson ES-355TD-SV

$600 to $800

Fender Twin Reverb Reissue

Modern equivalent · for the Gibson Lab Series 2×12 Combo (1980s)

$1,500 to $2,200

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the neck pickup for warm, vocal‑like tone.
2. 2.Play with a light touch and let each note ring fully.
3. 3.Apply subtle string bends and vibrato to emulate King’s phrasing.
4. 4.Keep the amp clean with just enough gain for natural breakup.