Gibson Custom Lucille Signature B.B. King Legacy Transparent Ebony CS MC #CS400151 B-Stock

The Lucille: B.B. King's Blues Legacy Reimagined by the Custom Shop

The Gibson Lucille Signature B.B. King Legacy pays tribute to one of the most iconic guitars in the history of electric blues. Built around the ES-355 platform, it incorporates the aesthetic and functional choices associated with B.B. King's playing: an elegant silhouette, luxurious appointments and the absence of f-holes on the semi-hollow body.

This distinctive feature gives the Lucille a unique look while limiting the body's direct influence on acoustic feedback at high volume. Crafted in the spirit of Custom Shop instruments, this version combines a deep Transparent Ebony finishing with a flamed maple veneer visible beneath the lacquer, along with numerous gold details worthy of its status as a signature guitar.

The ebony key, Split Block mother-of-pearl inlays, the "Lucille" inlay on the headstock and the truss rod cover engraved "B.B. King" further enhance its prestigious character. The TP-6 tailpiece with fine tuners offers a particularly practical approach to making precise tuning adjustments both on stage and in the studio.

An expressive semi-hollow guitar for blues, jazz and vintage tones

This electric guitar is primarily aimed at intermediate, advanced and professional guitarists looking for a characterful semi-hollow instrument capable of combining sonic elegance with a wide range of tonal possibilities. Its SlimTaper neck provides a smooth playing feel, well suited to blues phrasing, expressive bends, extended chords and faster melodic lines.

Naturally at home in blues, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues and classic rock, the Lucille can also fit into pop or funk settings thanks to its versatile tone controls. Its ES-355 format and maple center block provide a more controlled response than a fully hollow body, allowing you to play with more volume and gain while retaining clarity.

Custom Bucker humbuckers and a Varitone for shaping every nuance

The three-ply construction of flamed maple, poplar and maple used for the top, back and sides contributes to the Lucille's sonic character. Maple delivers attack, treble precision and excellent chord definition, while poplar contributes to the overall balance of the midrange. The maple center block enhances sustain and stabilizes the instrument's response as the volume increases.

The two Gibson Custom Bucker pickups deliver the warmth, fullness and singing character expected from a dual-humbucker guitar. The neck pickup favors smooth, velvety tones, ideal for blues chorus and jazzy chords, while the bridge pickup provides more bite and presence to bring out the attack. The middle position combines clarity, depth and balance.

The hand-wired electronics feature two volume controls, two tone controls, CTS Audio Taper 500K potentiometers and Bumblebee Paper-in-Oil capacitors. The 6-position mono Varitone switch is one of the central elements of the Lucille's identity: it allows you to filter and modify the frequency response, taking you from open, rich tones to more muted, focused or distinctly vintage textures.

Recommended compatible accessories

To preserve the original setup, a .010-.046 gauge set of electric guitar strings is perfectly suited to this Lucille. A 6.35 mm mono jack instrument cable is also compatible with its Switchcraft output. As the Custom Shop hardshell case is included, it already provides suitable protection during transport and storage.

Technical specifications

Category	Hollow body	Nbr of strings	6
Left handed	No	Color	Black
Strings	Steel

Type	semi-hollow electric guitar	Nut width	1.687 inches / 42.85 mm
Format	ES-355	Inlays	Split Block mother-of-pearl
Body material	3-ply flamed maple/poplar/maple	Hardware finishing	gold
Top	3-ply flamed maple/poplar/maple	Bridge	ABR-1
Back	3-ply flamed maple/poplar/maple	Tailpiece	TP-6 with fine tuners
Sides	3-ply flamed maple/poplar/maple	Tuners	Grover with tulip buttons
Center block	maple	Pickguard	tortoiseshell with binding
Binding	7-ply top, 3-ply back, 5-ply headstock, single-ply fingerboard	Truss rod	adjustable
Finishing	Transparent Ebony gloss nitrocellulose lacquer	Truss rod cover	gold, engraved " B.B. King "
Profile	SlimTaper	Control knobs	Black Top Hats with gold inserts
Key	ebony	Varitone knob	Black Chicken Head
Scale length	24.75 inches / 628.65 mm	Pickup selector knob	white
Radius	12 inches / 304.8 mm	Selector washer	gold Varitone plate
Number of frets	22	Strap buttons	2, brass
Fret type	Reissue	Pickup covers	gold
Nut	Corian