How to Dial In "Hummingbird" by B.B. King - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "Hummingbird"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These are the numbers on the record. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
A Leon Russell song that first appeared on Russell's own 1970 album and was recorded by B.B. King for Indianola Mississippi Seeds, released by ABC in October 1970, with Carole King, Joe Walsh and Leon Russell among the guests. King, who played a Fender Esquire on most of his early RPM recordings, was by then best known for variants of the Gibson ES-355 he called Lucille, so an ES-355 stands in; the amp used isn't documented in the sources available here. Play it with a clean to slightly breaking neck-pickup tone and King's single-string vibrato and long bends. No transcription could be checked, so no tuning is given.
Common Questions About the "Hummingbird" Tone
What guitar did B.B. King use on "Hummingbird"?
B.B. King tracked "Hummingbird" on an ES-355 (released 1970). The Gibson Custom Shop 1959 ES-355 Reissue named above is a modern equivalent, not the guitar on the record. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Hummingbird" need?
On the original amp: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, 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 "Hummingbird" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Hummingbird" 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 "Hummingbird" by B.B. King are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.