The B.B. King Family Trust has partnered with one of the world’s top guitar brands to launch a new series of guitars.
According to a release from Gibson Brands, the company has announced B.B. King as a Gibson Legacy Artist and has launched a new Alpine White Limited Edition “Lucille” ES.
"The B.B. King Family Trust is honored that Gibson has named B.B. King a 'Gibson Legacy Artist,'" said Phil Sandhaus, Manager of The B.B. King Family Trust in the release. "We celebrate both B.B. King's and Gibson's enduring legacies with the release of this new, limited edition of his legendary 'Lucille,' as we welcome the next generation of guitar players and music fans, worldwide."
King previously joined the Gibson family in 1980 as a Signature Artist.
The B.B. King Family Trust has also announced that it is developing new products with Gibson, with the Alpine White being the first in this line.
"Throughout musical history, there has never been a guitar associated with one musician quite like blues legend B.B. King and his beloved Lucille," said Cesar Gueikian, Chief Merchant Officer of Gibson. "Gibson is proud to partner with the B.B. King Family Trust to bring this special limited edition of the iconic 'Lucille' to guitar players and fans. Today we are building on our legacy of craftsmanship and innovation as Gibson continues to shape the sounds of generations for years to come."
King was known for playing Gibson guitars, even from the earliest point of his career in the 1940s. He played the ES-175, ES-330, ES-335 and ES-345, but his signature guitar, starting in the 1960s, was the Gibson ES-355, a semi-hollow body guitar.
That is the guitar King played for the rest of his life after 1980.
Highlights of the Alpine White, according to the release include a custom B.B. King "signature" engraved bridge pickup cover, brass "Lucille" engraved truss rod cover, and "Crown" Mother of Pearl headstock inlay. Staying true to B.B. King's original specs and tone, players will find a Stereo Varitone paired to Gibson 490R and 490T Humbucking pickups. The TP-6 Fine Tune Tailpiece, Mother of Pearl Full Block inlay fingerboard, and semi-hollow body design are all iconic in their own right, just like the King.
