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Average Price: $5,699
High-end/Boutique
$500
$1201+
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Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step into the spotlight with the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar, a masterpiece inspired by the legendary blues icon himself. This electric guitar captures the essence of B.B. King's legacy, drawing from the various ES-355s that he cherished and customized throughout his illustrious career. The Lucille's semi-hollow design is a testament to its powerful sound, while its solid top, void of F-holes, intentionally minimizes feedback, allowing for a cleaner and more controlled performance.
Equipped with dual humbuckers, this guitar delivers a rich and warm tone that’s as versatile as it is iconic. The tunable TP-6 bridge ensures precise intonation and easy string changes, making it a reliable partner for any gig or studio session. Adding to its distinct character, the guitar flaunts an elegant headstock adorned with a larger B.B. King emblem, a fitting tribute to the man who immortalized it.
Whether you're channeling the soulful blues of B.B. King or exploring your own musical path, the Gibson Lucille offers a blend of history, craftsmanship, and innovation that resonates with musicians of all styles.
Key Features:
- Inspired by B.B. King's iconic Lucille
- Semi-hollowbody design with no F-holes to reduce feedback
- Dual humbuckers for rich tonal versatility
- Tunable TP-6 bridge for precise intonation
- Elegant headstock with B.B. King emblem
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | BB King Lucille |
| Finish | Alpine White, Cherry, Ebony |
| Year | 2012 - 2020 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Archtop Electric Guitars, Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars |
| Artist | B.B. King |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Semi-Hollow Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Black, Red, White |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Composite |
| Model Family | Gibson Lucille |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Non-Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Series | Gibson Artist Collection |
| Top Material | Maple |
FAQs
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What makes the Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar unique compared to other semi-hollow guitars?
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The Gibson B.B. King Lucille features a distinctive double cutaway design, a stop-bar tailpiece, and a unique Varitone switch, providing a wide range of tonal options. It also lacks F-holes, which reduces feedback, making it ideal for blues and jazz performances.
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What type of pickups are used in the Gibson B.B. King Lucille, and what sound can I expect?
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The Gibson B.B. King Lucille is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, known for their warm, rich tones with reduced noise. This setup is perfect for achieving the smooth, expressive sound characteristic of B.B. King's blues style.
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Is the Gibson B.B. King Lucille suitable for beginner guitarists?
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While the Gibson B.B. King Lucille offers professional-level features and quality, its playability and versatile sound make it accessible for intermediate players who are serious about blues and jazz music.
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How does the Varitone switch on the Gibson B.B. King Lucille enhance its versatility?
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The Varitone switch provides six different tonal presets, allowing players to easily shift between various sound profiles, from warm and mellow to bright and cutting, making it highly versatile for different music styles.
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Does the Gibson B.B. King Lucille handle feedback well during live performances?
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Yes, the absence of F-holes in the Gibson B.B. King Lucille's design significantly reduces feedback, making it an excellent choice for live performances where high volume is required.
Videos
Musician's Friend
Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, Ebony
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile sound: Humbuckers and single-coil tones via Varitone and push-pull knobs
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Beautiful craftsmanship: Binding, mother of pearl inlays, and finish
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High durability: Three-piece maple neck ensures longevity
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Feedback resistance: No F-holes reduce unwanted feedback
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Richlite fretboard: Long-lasting and low maintenance, rivals traditional ebony
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Stereo capability: Offers stereo jack for expanded sound options
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Substantial neck: Comfortable and well-balanced, not too bulky
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Wide tonal range: Varitone selector provides diverse sound options
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Eye-catching design: Available in stunning ebony and cherry finishes
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Highly recommended: Consistent praise for versatility and playability across genres
CONS
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Heavier than average: Weighs around 9.5 pounds, more than some other semi-hollows
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar.
Features and functionality
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The Varitone switch on the Lucille subtracts specific frequencies using an inductor and capacitors, rather than just rolling off highs like a typical tone control.
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Unlike fully hollow models, the semi-hollow design minimizes feedback issues, making it more suitable for higher stage volumes.
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The Lucille model is essentially a 355 without f-holes, which differentiates it visually and acoustically from traditional 335 models.
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The Lucille's Varitone control circuit is highlighted as a key feature, distinguishing it from other guitars in its class.
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Comparisons
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The Epiphone Lucille, equipped with Alnico Classic PRO pickups, is noted to be less dynamic compared to guitars with PRObuckers.
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The Lucille is compared to the Squier CV Starcaster for its similar build and loud unplugged sound, but both deliver a solid body tone when amplified.
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The Gibson ES-339 is noted to sound more like a Les Paul than an ES-335, suggesting a tonal difference despite similar body styles.
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It's mentioned that B.B. King used 490R and 490T pickups, which can be installed in various guitars to replicate his sound.
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User experience
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Owners report that semi-hollow models like the Lucille can be heavier than a typical 335-style guitar, despite offering a lighter feel than solid bodies.
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It's noted that guitars like the Epiphone Sheraton sound louder unplugged compared to solid-body models like the SG, offering versatility in quiet practice settings.
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Use cases and applications
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The Lucille's semi-hollow design, with pickups installed directly into the center block, provides a sound similar to a solid body when plugged in.
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The Gibson ES-355 and its variations, including the Lucille, are compared to Ibanez AS93 and Haggstrom Viking as alternatives for blues tones.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 17 Ratings
39
Gibson B. B. King Lucille Electric Guitar
I never knew if I wanted that guitar. But I would want that as a gift and play it.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this Instagram video Jared shows his skills on a B.B. King gibson Loucille.
As mentioned in this article, by Gibson, and seen in this photo, Jon Fratelli uses a Gibson B.B. King Lucille.
You can see the Lucille inscription on the headstock at 2:00ish in the attached video.
Despite Sheehan's affinity for Gibson Les Pauls, one guitar that features prominently in his collection is his Gibson Lucille. In this interview with Gibson from 2013, he describes how he uses "her". "In the studio, I can use many different Gibsons to build and stack a part or section. My Lucille, for example, is so rugged and heavy sounding that I really only get away with using her on big, powerful style choruses."
Jon uses his Gibson Lucille as his main guitar during the Refused reunion tour in 2012. You can see hem playing the guitar in this video.
Esta Gibson ES-345 Lucille fue compradra por Iñaki entre 1992/93, cuando Platero empezaba a funcionar. Más tarde, sería modificada, quitándole el golpeador, y modificando el "Hardware" a la de una 335, porque recordemos que en la Lucille hay dos entradas Jack al ser una guitara estéreo, y Iñaki juega mucho con el selector de pastillas, así que tener 300 cables para una guitarra ha de ser muy incomodo.
La guitarra fue usada en gran parte de la trayectoria de Platero y Tú, hasta Extremoduro en la gira de 2004. Tiene un golpe en la parte trasera, hecha por Uoho en el último concierto de Platero en la Riviera, donde Iñaki dio su "último guitarrazo" con Platero. Actualmente la tiene el amigo Txema, guitarrista actual de La Gripe con los amigos Juantxu Olano y Jesús(cristo) García. Aunque en un video de esos de 2007 con 144p, se le ve al Calvo con ella, o algo muy parecido a la Lucille.
On Rock am Ring festival 2009, for song "High Heels", Noren used the Gibson BB King Lucille guitar.
Album Usage
The Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson B.B. King Lucille Semi-Hollow Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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