4 Iconic Blues Guitarists (and How to Get Their Tones with Neural Amp Model)
Get classic blues guitar tones with free NAM captures from TONE3000.
If you want to truly understand rocknroll, every guitarist must first understand the blues. Born in the Mississippi delta, honed in gin joints in Chicago, and still played today in dark clubs from Sydney to San Francisco, the blues is a unique American artform that shaped every generation of electric guitar since its inception. In the early days, the blues was made by one man (or woman) with a beat up old guitar and a sad story to share. But once guitar went electric, blues music took on a whole new life. Sorrowful acoustic guitar strumming gave way to wicked licks, singing vibrato, and a nasty new level of aggression that eventually evolved into rocknroll.
Thanks to Neural Amp Modeler and the free NAM captures available on TONE3000, you can explore these soulful sounds with stunning realism. Here’s how to channel the tone of four of the most important blues guitarists of all time with TONE3000.
B.B. King: The King of Sting
When he first hit the scene, nobody sounded like B.B. King. Today, learning his licks and chasing his tone is practically a rite of passage for guitarists. His signature style centered on clean, vocal-like phrasing, and of course, his signature “bee sting” vibrato. Lucille, his Gibson ES-355, ran into bright, but warm, Fender tube amps with plenty of headroom, giving him clarity without harshness.
To capture that sweet and lyrical tone with NAM, look for Neural Amp Models of his preferred Fender amps: either a Twin Reverb or a Super Reverb. Keep it clean (or on the edge-of-breakup) with some soft midrange and a gentle high-end roll-off. Pair it with a semi-hollow, keep the gain low, the volume high, and let your vibrato do the heavy lifting. (Just practice that vibrato. It’s harder than it looks!)
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ 1977 Fender Super Reverb
B. B. King - The Thrill Is Gone (Live at Montreux 1993)
Howlin’ Wolf: Raw Chicago Power
As the premier icon of nasty Chicago blues, Howlin’ Wolf’s playing featured gritty, biting tones that stomped all over the line between blues and early rock. His recordings often featured small tube amps cranked well past their comfort zone, creating saturated textures that were edgy while still retaining the spirit of old delta blues.
To recreate that raw Chicago sound, try some NAM captures of early Fender tweed combos or similar low-wattage amps available on TONE3000. The key is controlled chaos: set the amp loud, let the edges fray, and keep the playing percussive. Pair it with a bridge pickup for maximum bite, or roll back the guitar volume slightly for a smoky, vintage feel.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Fender Tweed Deluxe
Howlin' Wolf - Back Door Man
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Texas Fire and Soul
There’s no figure in modern blues guitar who looms larger than Stevie Ray Vaughan. As a disciple of Jimi Henrdrix, SRV leaned heavily on the 1960’s-style of eclectic blues-rock guitar, but he took it to a blistering new level. His explosive dynamic range, use of extra heavy strings, and ferocious attack all pushed his amps to their absolute limit.
For an amp sim that delivers Stevie Ray Vaughn style tones, look for Neural Amp Models of Fender amps driven into saturation—Super Reverbs, Vibroverbs, or similar high-headroom combos are all ideal. Add a touch of overdrive if needed, but let the amp sim be the star. Grab a Stratocaster with the neck pickup engaged and don’t be afraid to dig in hard with your picking hand.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Fender Vibroverb
Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble - Pride And Joy (Live at Montreux 1982)
John Lee Hooker: The Bad Man
John Lee Hooker’s approach to blues was less about the tunes, and more about the vibes. His loose, hypnotic, and emotionally raw style evoked an omnipresent sense of danger as much as it did sadness. His tone is often dark and woody, living in the low-mid frequencies without much sparkle—perfect for his trance-like grooves and conversational playing style.
To emulate early-era Hooker with NAM, try warmer tube amp captures on TONE3000 that lean toward the darker side. Before he switched over to Fender amps in his later years, he was known to rock a vintage Silvertone—an amp once sold exclusively through the Sears catalog.
Download Neural Amp Model ➝ Sears Silvertone Twin Twelve
John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom
Bringing Blues Tones to Life with NAM
It might seem counter intuitive that perhaps the best way to get down n’ dirty blues tones these days is by using an advanced neural network. But hey, that’s just the world we’re living in. The fact is NAM authentically captures the feel of real amps—including the subtle compression, sag, and imperfections that make blues tones so expressive. So, whether you want B.B. King’s silky sustain, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s explosive fire, Howlin’ Wolf’s gritty Chicago attitude, or John Lee Hooker’s deep groove, NAM gives you the ability to step directly into those sonic worlds.
