The Epiphone Lucille Guitar, a model inspired by the legendary B.B. King’s beloved guitar, comes equipped with a unique feature: the Veritone switch. For many guitar players, the immediate question arises: how useful is this switch in shaping your tone? The truth, for most players, is that you might find yourself setting it to your preferred position and rarely, if ever, touching it again. Experimenting with the different settings can be initially intriguing, but the likelihood is you’ll gravitate towards a specific sound and stick with it.
When discussing guitar tones, the name Gregor Hilden often comes up, renowned for his exceptional blues and jazz-infused sound. Many aspire to replicate his tone, but achieving it authentically requires acknowledging a crucial element: the Okko Diablo pedal. While you might get close with various overdrive pedals and amp settings, capturing the genuine essence of Hilden’s tone, which he frequently employs in his demos, often necessitates investing in the Diablo. He reportedly relies on this pedal for a significant portion of his recordings and performances.
Interestingly, in a demonstration specifically for the Epiphone Lucille guitar, it appears Hilden did not utilize the Okko Diablo. Notably, this particular demo’s tone differs from his signature, highly sought-after sound. This observation underscores the Diablo’s role in achieving his characteristic tone.
Many guitarists can relate to the experience of chasing a specific tone. Countless hours might be spent tweaking amp models and various pedals, attempting to emulate a sound heard from a favorite player. In the pursuit of Hilden’s tone, some players have exhaustively experimented with amp modelers and overdrive pedals, only to find themselves still falling short. The turning point often comes with the acquisition of the Okko Diablo pedal. Suddenly, that elusive tone becomes attainable, sometimes within minutes, using familiar amp settings. For many, this pedal becomes an indispensable part of their setup, always engaged when playing.
However, tone is just one aspect of musical artistry. While gear can help achieve a desired sound, the playing style and musicality of artists like Gregor Hilden are developed through years of dedication and immersion in genres like jazz and blues fusion. Reaching that level of playing proficiency is a separate journey, requiring significant time and practice. Having the right gear is a step, but mastering the instrument and musical language is a lifelong pursuit.
