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Albert King

Blues1953–1992USA

Left-handed and strung upside down, he bent strings with a ferocity that made a Flying V through a solid-state amp sound like a horn section.

Known for: Born Under a Bad Sign, Crosscut Saw, Blues Power

gear entries

with sources

Rig rundown

Amp

The solid-state head that gave him his clean, enormous tone.

Guitar

A korina V played upside down, tuned to open F for slide.

Other

For the open-tuning numbers.

What to dial in to chase Albert King's signature sounds — knob positions, pickup choice and amp EQ as documented.

Huge bends with the guitar upside down, amp clean and very loud so the bends stay clear.

Brighter and snappier, played with a heavy pick and a hard attack.