How to Dial In "Better Not Look Down" by B.B. King - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Better Not Look Down"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Take It Home (1979). A mid-tempo Take It Home blues-pop track with crisp, singing single-note fills. No source available here confirms the exact guitar and amp on this recording, so a Gibson ES-355 through a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue stands in. Set the amp clean with a little edge and use the neck pickup. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Better Not Look Down" Tone
What guitar did B.B. King use on "Better Not Look Down"?
The guitar on "Better Not Look Down" (released 1979) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-355 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Better Not Look Down" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 3.5, Bass 6, Mid 6.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Better Not Look Down" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Better Not Look Down" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Better Not Look Down" by B.B. King are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.