Gibson Partners with the B.B. King Music Company, Led by Vassal Benford, CEO and Chairman, To Celebrate “The King of the Blues” With Historically Accurate B.B. King Lucille Legacy Guitar
NASHVILLE, TN (February 1, 2022) For the past 128 years, Gibson--the iconic American instrument brand--has been synonymous with creating and shaping sound across genres of music and generations of players. Today, Gibson Custom Shop is proud to pay tribute to a true guitar hero with the release of B.B. King Lucille Legacy, based on B.B.’s personal and most well-known guitar. It’s not often that a guitar captures the essence of an artist, but the B.B. King Lucille Legacy perfectly matched B.B.’s style and persona. The B.B. King Lucille Legacy has been meticulously crafted for fans to experience worldwide at authorized Gibson dealers and on www.gibson.com.
Gibson Custom Shop is honored to present this B.B. King Lucille Legacy guitar, to pay homage to the legendary career of one of music’s greatest pioneers. Based on the famously named guitars of blues legend B.B. King, the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Legacy in Transparent Ebony features all of the high-end appointments that are fit for a King.
“We are honored to celebrate the life and spirit of B.B. King with this very special addition to Gibson Custom Shop’s Artist Collection,” says Mat Koehler, Senior Director of Product Development, Gibson Brands. “The Lucille Legacy model features both classic Lucille features and some new ornate elements like split block inlays and a stunning figured maple body. Its beauty and character pay tribute to the man who brought joy to millions around the globe and created music so powerful it will live forever."
B.B. King with Lucille
“It has been a pleasure working with the Gibson team in developing a new line of B.B. King Signature Lucille guitars,” says Vassal Benford, CEO and Chairman, B.B. King Music Company. “I am proud of the new Lucille Legacy guitar and delivering a true work of art, opening B.B. King’s life and legacy to new artists across the globe. Gibson is a tremendous partner and they have demonstrated a sincere alignment with our mission to not only preserve the legacy of B.B. King, but to continue to grow his brand and expose a new generation of artists and fans to his music.”
Spending his life sharing the music of his soul, the man born Riley B. King would grow up to be one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, being crowned “The King of the Blues.” Releasing over 50 albums and 2400 master recordings along the way, The King of The Blues, gathered up other musicians in his wake and melded them into the harmony of his animating passion. As a 15-time GRAMMY Award Winner and the recipient of “The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award,” the King’s global audience continues to expand worldwide and reaches over 90 million average yearly streams.
Fit for blues royalty, the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Legacy features several standout appointments including split block inlays, gold hardware, with a gold “B.B. King” engraved truss rod cover, and a TP-6 tailpiece with fine tuners. A “Lucille” mother of pearl inlay adorns the headstock, and the ebony fretboard features split block mother of pearl inlays. A mono Varitone switch, along with four audio taper CTS potentiometers and paper-in-oil Bumblebee capacitors, are paired to Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups. The legendary hollow-body design remains, but the f-Holes are gone, in keeping with B.B. King’s personal preferences. The top, back and sides of the body of the guitar feature stunning figured maple veneer, which is visible through the Transparent Ebony finish, making the Lucille Legacy an awe-inspiring addition to any player’s collection.
Explore the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Legacy from Gibson Custom Shop, HERE.
Watch and share the new B.B. King Lucille Legacy video, HERE.
