Unleashing the Power of the Blues Avengers: B.B., Albert, and Freddie King

Intermediate
Beginner
- Explore the approaches and techniques which set the styles of B.B., Albert, and Freddie King apart.
- Discover how to learn from your heroes without knowing their actual licks.
- Learn how to turn up the heat to boost your playingās emotional intensity.
In the world of Marvel Comics, the Avengers comprise the likes of Iron Man, Black Panther, and Thor, superheroes joining forces to wield a power even greater than the sum of its parts. What if we could incorporate this same idea into the world of blues guitar?
Today weāre going to find out, as we seek to combine the singular styles of three of the greatest blues guitarists of all time, all named KingāB.B., Albert, and Freddie. While the surname remains the same, all three of their styles are distinct and instantly recognizable, with each legend bringing his own unique brand of blues justice (so to speak). B.B.ās Gibson ES-355-based āLucilleā allows him to seamlessly weave his understated but devastating magic; Albert bends the strings of his lefty-strung-righty, detuned Gibson Flying V seemingly without limit; Freddie unleashes cascades of relentless, stinging bends from āLucy,ā his trademark Gibson ES-345.
How Our Heroes Get Their Power
Each King generally draws their ideas from the tried and true blues scale (1āb3ā4āb5ā5āb7), essentially the minor pentatonic scale with the flatted fifth added, at times including phrases born out of the major pentatonic scale (1ā2ā3ā5ā6). So, itās not as much their choice of notes that clearly distinguishes their styles, as it is how they execute these notes with their picking hand. B.B. used a standard pick, digging in when needed.
Albert wielded his blues power by primarily plucking with his thumb.
Freddie played exclusively with his thumb and index finger, often employing metal fingerpicks to create his signature sting.
Ex. 1 illustrates how B.B. might approach playing over an up-tempo blues shuffle.
B.B. would often use his first finger to bend notes on the 1st string, as in beat 1 of measure three. Moreover, try to capture his signature ābutterflyā vibrato by quickly rotating your fretting-hand wrist.
Ex. 2 employs an Albert-style approach to the same groove.
Albert achieved his legendary wide bends, like those in measure one, mainly by detuning his guitar (low to high: CāFāCāFāAāD) while playing it upside-down. He would bend strings by pulling them down towards the floor, giving him additional leverage. Albert would have surely played Ex. 2ās bends on the first string, but using standard tuning, we can approximate by choosing a position which better work for us. Hereās a terrific view of Albertās bends, as his disciple, Stevie Ray Vaughan, handles rhythm duties.
Ex. 3 shows how Freddie might approach this situation.
More than anything else, weāve got to ratchet up the intensity here. So, donāt be afraid to dig in with your pick or fingers, whichever method you use. But be careful when turning up the intensity not to rush things, which is a common tendency. Watch as Freddie takes his time, milking one bend for all itās got, then turning up the heat even more. They didnāt call him the āTexas Cannonballā for nothing.
Combining the Trioās Strengths
Now, could we simply string a few of each of the Kingsā licks together to create a cohesive solo? Sure, but that would almost certainly limit our creativity. So, instead, letās focus on incorporating their general approaches into our playing, rather than simply making off with a few of their licks (though we can absolutely use elements of those as well). Just keep in mind that each of these legends has a distinct attitude in their playing, which we can tap into to boost our own spiciness.
Next, letās change things up with more of a mid-tempo blues groove. Hereās B.B., a master of using space, starting off by taking time to breathe between each of his languid phrases, creating tension using short silences, before moving on.
Ex. 4, exploits B.B.ās use of space, while incorporating Albertās compound bends (those which are wider than a whole-step). Measure three also incorporates a wide Albert-style vibrato, which can be executed by pulling down to more closely emulate his sound. Here, SRV does just that, in front of the man himself.
Next letās add some of Freddieās intensity into the mix for Ex. 5 (measure two), while our final phrase pairs a descending B.B.-style lick with a wide bend reminiscent of Albert. For the initial nasty ghost bend, where only the release is heard, catch both the 2nd and 3rd strings with your fretting-hand ring finger before striking. This was an Albert favorite that SRV later adopted.
We can also incorporate some of the Kingsā favorite melodic approaches. For example, Albert would very often move the classic blues box up two frets in order to play over the V chord. Here he is to demonstrate:
So, for the G blues excerpt in Ex. 6, Albert would use almost certainly use A minor pentatonic (AāCāDāEāG) over the V chord, D9 (DāF#āAāCāE). This would enable him to target some of D7ās chord tones, notably the 5 (A), b7 (C) and 9 (E), which we do in the example.
In measure one, weāre simultaneously employing this melodic approach, melding Albertās and Freddieās bending styles, and simulating both of their sharp picking-hand attacks. Regardless if youāre using a pick or not, pluck all the notes in measure one, up to the rest on beat 4, with your middle finger, pulling the string slightly outward so it snaps sharply against the frets when released. Thereās plenty of space a lĆ B.B in measures three and four, plus weāve included his signature high root-note (G) punctuation at the end. He often let it hang in the air, but here weāve kept it short.
Another melodic approach we can incorporate is B.B.ās penchant for subtly mixing and matching notes of the major and minor pentatonic scales. Hereās he is doing just that.
For Ex. 7, weāre going to stay in one of B.B.ās favorite pentatonic scale positions (the one he uses in the previous video, albeit in the key of Ab). Weāll sneakily mash up the major and minor pentatonic scales, while injecting a classic Freddie-style bend with wide vibrato. Note the presence of both F#, the 6, from the major pentatonic scale and G, the b7, from the minor pentatonic (or blues) scale.
Regardless of style, you can harness the attitudes and approaches of your favorite guitarists without actually learning their licks. Taking this macro view of playing allows you to use their greatness as a springboard for your own creativity.
Updates feature PRS DMO and McCarty III pickups, EQ mini-toggles, Phase III tuners, and expanded color options.
PRS Guitars announced the continuation of its 40th anniversary celebration with two new models and several specification updates across their Maryland, USA-made electric instruments. New models include the Standard 24 Satin and Swamp Ash Special, while the new specs in multiple lines include PRS DMO and McCarty III pickups, EQ mini-toggles, Phase III tuners and expanded color options.
2025 marks the 40th Anniversary of PRS Guitars. After announcing SE Series updates in October and officially kicking off their 40th Anniversary celebration this past November with the introduction of the 40th Anniversary Private Stock Dragon and Custom 24 limited-edition instruments, this month's launches are the next in a schedule of many product announcements to be made throughout the year.
āOur mission hasnāt changed since day one in my first Garrett workshop - we want to build the best tools for musicians to do their jobs,ā said Paul Reed Smith, founder & managing general partner of PRS Guitars. āBut, as the saying goes, āwindshields are larger than rearview mirrors for a reason.ā We do not want to spend our anniversary only looking back. We want to keep advancing our craft and adding value to our instruments by focusing on details we believe matter to musicians.ā
New Models: Standard 24 Satin and Swamp Ash Special
When a young Paul Reed Smith was raising money to start his business, he traveled the East Coast with two guitars: a PRS and a PRS Custom. The PRS was an all-mahogany guitar that would later come to be called the PRS Standard. For 2025, the company is introducing a version of that pre-factory instrument in its Core line. Featuring a āsinkyā satin nitro finish and the new PRS DMO pickups, the PRS Standard 24 Satin is a powerful, roadworthy workhorse. Its full, warm, organic tone is maximized not only by the finish, but thanks to the Phase III locking tuners with brass shafts, proprietary bone nut, and design of the PRS patented tremolo.
The Swamp Ash Special bolt-on model is also making a comeback for 2025 but with an updated electronics layout. Its swamp ash body is equipped with a versatile hum/āsingleā/hum pickup configuration. Two 58/15 LT pickups flank a PRS Narrowfield in the middle position, which adds a single-coil bite ā without the hum. Paired with a volume, tone, 5-way blade switch, and dual mini-toggle coil-tap switches (for the first time on this model), the Swamp Ash Special has a total of twelve sound combinations. Overall, the PRS Swamp Ash Special features tight low-end, bright but mellow high-end, and a welcome twangy tone that can reach āhot country,ā blues and jazz territory.
New Pickups
Most notably, PRS is introducing two new pickup models in its Core lineup: PRS DMO and McCarty III treble and bass pickups. Through hands-on research into beloved vintage pickup models to advancements in signal analyzation and ātuningā technology, these pickups incorporate every detail of pickup knowledge PRS has gained in recent years of R&D.
PRS DMO (Dynamic, Musical, Open) pickups are more modern-sounding and have a āwide openā sound with vocal character, meaning they deliver clear, pleasant-sounding tones across a wide range of frequencies (bass to treble) in each pickup. While McCarty III pickups are vintage-inspired humbuckers that bring a vocal clarity to their full, warm tone. PRS DMOās will be found on the Custom 24, while McCarty IIIās will be found on McCarty, Hollowbody, Special and Studio models.
EQ Switch Feature
On select models, PRS has also updated the spec on their dual mini-toggle switches from coil-taps to EQ switches. EQ mini-toggles act as tuned high-pass filters when engaged (in the up position), removing shelved low-end and allowing the high frequencies through for more clarity and musical highs. This spec will be found on the Custom 24-08, Modern Eagle V and S2 Custom 24-08.
āThese EQ switches were developed with and first featured on the Private Stock John McLaughlin model in 2023. Both John and I felt that they offered a different, but just as versatile, sound that played a significant role in the musicality of that guitar. I am happy that we are now extending this feature into more models,ā said Paul Reed Smith.
Phase III Tuner Expanded Offering
The entire S2 Series and select Bolt-On models are also being updated with Phase III tuners. Designed from scratch in 2012 to be wholly different from Phase IIās, Phase III tuners were originally introduced on PRSās Core line. Notable features of these tried-and-true tuning machines include a handsome open-back design, highly usable gear ratio, unplated brass shafts, overall lightweight construction, and PRSās proprietary wing button.
PRS has also introduced new colors across their lineup, including Aurora Borealis and Black Gold on select Core models, Egyptian Gold and Platinum Metallic on the Myles Kennedy signature Bolt-On, five new colors on the NF 53, including Matcha Green and Jasper Smokeburst, and three new satin colors on the Fiore, including Lilac Satin, Hibiscus Satin and Amaryllis Satin.
All of these specification details are aimed to make better guitars for musicians. Beyond these foundational updates, PRS Guitars is planning a year full of new product and limited-edition introductions. Stay tuned for those updates over the coming months.
For more information, please visit prsguitars.com.
Vola Guitars collaborates with guitarists Pierre Danel and Quentin Godet to announce the all new J3 series to their line of signature guitars.
With both Pierre Danel and Quentin Godet rising to the forefront of the heavy music scene, they have caught fire with distinct approaches and undying tenacity. Furthermore, their involvement with Vola Guitars has led to brand growth as a direct result of their endeavors. Equipped with Bare Knuckle pickups, 27ā scale length, Gotoh hardware, and crafted with precision. "These two unmistakable designs are meant to be extensions of their handlers, catalysts for creative expression."
Features include:
⢠Country of Origin: Handmade in Japan
⢠Scale Length: 27" Extended Scale length
⢠Construction: Bolt-on neck with new contour heel
⢠Body: Alder
⢠Fingerboard: Roasted Maple
⢠Neck: Roasted Maple neck with 3x3 Vola headstock
⢠Nut: 48mm * 3.4T Graphtech nut
⢠Frets: 24 Medium Jumbo Stainless Frets
⢠Inlay: Custom Luminlay Kadinja with Luminlay side dots
⢠Radius: 16" Radius
⢠Pickups: Bare Knuckle⢠Bootcamp Brute Force HSS
⢠Electronics: 1 Volume (Push/pull : Add neck Pickup switch) 1 tone 5 way switch 1 mini switch (On-On-On: series/parallel/ coil tap)
⢠Bridge: Gotoh NS510TS-FE7 tremolo
⢠Tuners: Gotoh SG381-07 MG-T locking tuners
⢠Strings: Daddario XTE1059 10-59
⢠Case: Vola Custom Series Gig Bag (included)
The Vola Oz and Vasti J3 Series are the culmination of Volaās dedication to designing top quality instruments for demanding players, without sacrificing the beauty that invites a closer look. Street price $1,749 USD. Vola Guitars now sells direct! For more information on this model and more, visit www.volaguitars.comAdding to the line of vintage fuzzboxes, Ananashead unleashes a new stompbox, the Spirit Fuzz, their take on the '60s plug-in fuzz.
The Spirit Fuzz is a mix of the two first California versions of the plug-in fuzz used by Randy California from Spirit, Big Brother & The Holding Company or ZZ TOP among others, also maybe was used in the "Spirit in the Sky" song.
A handmade pedal-shaped version with less hiss and more low-end with modern fatures like filtered and protected 9V DC input and true bypass. Only two controls for Volume and Attack that goes from clean to buzzy fuzz with some fuzzy overdrive in-between, also it cleans well with the guitar's volume.
The pedal offers the following features:
- Two knobs to control Volume and Attack
- Shielded inputs/outputs to avoid RF
- Filtered and protected 9VDC input
- Daisy-chain friendly
- Popless True Bypass switching
- Low current draw, 1mA
Each of the Hornet 15 Li amplifiers is designed to leverage Mooer's digital modeling technology to provide 9 preamp tones based on world-renowned amplifiers.
This modeling amplifier comes in two colors (White, Black), each of which is paired with its own carefully curated selection of preamp models.
The modulation dial can be adjusted to choose between chorus, phaser, and vibrato effects, whereas the delay dial facilitates analog, tape echo, and digital delay. Also, the reverb unit includes room, hall, and church emulations, making sure that there is an atmosphere and effect chain that works for any practice scenario.
A unique feature of this amplifier is how it can be used in two modes: āLiveā and āPresetā mode. When using Live mode, guitarists will be able to browse the device's built-in preamp tones, which they can then enhance if they wish to throw the effect units. In contrast, the "Preset" mode allows users to save these effects and dynamic parameter changes into each preset, enabling them to customize them without overwriting the originals.
As any good amplifier should, the Hornet 15 Li is complete with industry-standard features, such as three-band EQ adjustment dials, volume and gain dials, a 1/4" guitar input, and both an auxiliary input and headphone output. However, MOOER has gone above and beyond to pack the amplifier with several special features; for example, this modeling amp boasts separate tap-tempo buttons for both the modulation and delay units, in addition to a dedicated tuner button and function, allowing guitarists to use the device's screen to ensure their guitar tuning is precise. What's more, the Hornet 15 Li also supports Bluetooth input, meaning that any guitarist can stream their favorite songs and backing tracks directly to the amplifier, making practice sessions and rehearsals easier than ever.
Arguably, the most impressive feature of the Hornet 15 Li is the fact that, in addition to being powered by a mains supply, it can also operate on battery. The device is built with an integrated 4000mA.h lithium battery, empowering guitarists to practice guitar on the go for hoursāeven when thereās no power source nearby. Combining this with how the amp weighs just 2.9kg and comes with a built-in handle, itās clear that MOOER had portability and convenience in mind when designing this product.
Features:
- Available in 2 colors (White, Black), each with its own selection of classic preamps
- 9 high-quality preamp models, each captured through MOOERās MNRS technology (controllable through the 9-way tone rotary switch)
- Modulation effects unit (chorus, phaser, vibrato) and dial
- Delay effects unit (analog, tape echo, digital) and dial
- Reverb effects unit (room, hall, church) and dial
- Three dials for three-band EQ adjustment (treble, mid, bass)
- Gain and master volume dials
- Live/Preset mode toggle switch
- Tap tempo buttons and features for modulation and delay effects
- 15 watts of rated power, ideal for practicing
- Digital screen for displaying functional and tuning information
- Built-in digital tuner
- ¼ā guitar input
- 3.5mm auxiliary input
- 3.5mm headphone output
- Bluetooth support for high-quality audio input playback, perfect for backing tracks
- Convenient handle for easy transportation
- Rechargeable 4000mA.h lithium battery for portable play
- Power switch for easy on/off control
The Hornet 15 Li is available from distributors and retailers worldwide now.