Blues Guitar Solos Every Guitarist Should Know

Hey, blues lovers! If you’ve ever been captivated by the emotion and power of blues guitar solos, then you’re in for a treat. Today, we’re exploring the top 20 blues guitar solos that every guitarist should know—from the signature licks to the tones that make these solos so unforgettable. Each of these solos has a story behind it, a tone that defines it, and lessons for every guitarist wanting to dig into the heart of the blues.

Ready to take a deep dive? Let’s get started!

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1. “The Thrill Is Gone” – B.B. King

Story: Known as one of the most iconic blues songs of all time, “The Thrill Is Gone” captures B.B. King’s heartbreak and soulful expression. His blues guitar solos is a masterclass in phrasing and restraint—every note has meaning.

Tone Tip: B.B. used his famous Gibson ES-355 “Lucille,” played through a Gibson amp for a warm, clean tone with a bit of natural tube breakup. To replicate this, dial in a clean sound on your amp, add a hint of reverb, and focus on a soft, gentle attack.

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2. “Texas Flood” – Stevie Ray Vaughan

Story: This song captures Stevie Ray’s raw Texas blues style, recorded in one epic take. His solo on “Texas Flood” is an emotional powerhouse, blending blistering speed with jaw-dropping bends.

Tone Tip: SRV used a Fender Stratocaster through a Fender Vibroverb amp with heavy strings and a tube screamer pedal. For his tone, crank up the mids on your amp, add overdrive, and dig in hard with your picking hand.

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3. “Red House” – Jimi Hendrix

Story: Hendrix recorded “Red House” as a tribute to his love of blues. The blues guitar solos here showcases his unique blending of blues and rock, with smooth bends and expressive vibrato that reveal his deep understanding of the genre.

Tone Tip: Hendrix often used a Fender Stratocaster with the neck pickup for a warm tone. To capture his sound, add some mild overdrive, a touch of reverb, and roll back the tone knob slightly.

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4. “Still Got the Blues” – Gary Moore

Story: This ballad by Gary Moore has one of the most emotional solos in blues history, where every note feels like it’s pulling at the heartstrings. Moore’s smooth, sustaining tone gives this solo an almost vocal quality.

Tone Tip: Moore used a Gibson Les Paul with high-output pickups through a Marshall amp. For his tone, add a bit of compression, medium gain, and dial in reverb to make your notes sing.

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5. “Cross Road Blues” – Robert Johnson

Story: Legend has it that Robert Johnson went down to the crossroads and sold his soul to the devil in exchange for guitar mastery. His original solo is haunting, raw, and set the foundation for modern blues.

Tone Tip: Johnson’s sound was all acoustic, played on a Gibson L-1 guitar. To replicate it, play with a resonator or acoustic guitar, use fingerpicking, and focus on percussive muting for that old-school blues feel.

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6. “Sweet Little Angel” – B.B. King

Story: Another classic from B.B., “Sweet Little Angel” features smooth bends and a laid-back rhythm. This blues guitar solos showcases his signature call-and-response phrasing and minimalistic approach.

Tone Tip: As always, B.B. played “Lucille” for this one. Use a semi-hollow guitar and keep the tone clean, adding just a touch of reverb to replicate his spacious, warm sound.

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7. “Pride and Joy” – Stevie Ray Vaughan

Story: A tribute to SRV’s love for his partner at the time, “Pride and Joy” features one of his most iconic shuffles. The solo blends fast picking, hammer-ons, and sliding double-stops.

Tone Tip: To get SRV’s gritty, Texas blues tone, use a Strat with heavy gauge strings and turn up the overdrive. Boost the mids on your amp and use a tube screamer for added punch.

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8. “Hideaway” – Freddie King

Story: This upbeat instrumental blues tune was Freddie King’s signature. His blues guitar solos are a blend of Texas and Chicago blues, using major and minor pentatonic scales to create a bright, punchy vibe.

Tone Tip: Freddie played through a Gibson ES-345. Dial in a clean tone with slight breakup, and focus on a picking attack that’s sharp but controlled.

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9. “Since I Met You Baby” – Buddy Guy

Story: Buddy Guy’s rendition of this classic uses his unique attack and wide vibrato. His solo feels raw and full of energy, showing why he was a huge influence on future generations of blues players.

Tone Tip: To replicate Buddy’s tone, try using a Strat or Telecaster with single-coil pickups. Set your amp to a gritty, raw overdrive, and don’t be afraid to dig into each note.

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10. “Born Under a Bad Sign” – Albert King

Story: Albert King’s left-handed, upside-down guitar style gave “Born Under a Bad Sign” a distinct sound. His solos use massive bends, creating a powerful, moody feel that has inspired generations.

Tone Tip: Albert played a Gibson Flying V. To get his tone, use a humbucker-equipped guitar, add plenty of midrange to your amp, and work on executing big bends with smooth control.

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11. “Stormy Monday” – T-Bone Walker

Story: This jazz-infused blues tune showcases T-Bone Walker’s smooth, sophisticated style. His solo mixes melodic phrasing with rich, complex chords that add depth.

Tone Tip: T-Bone used a Gibson ES-250, so try a semi-hollow guitar and dial in a warm, clean tone. A touch of reverb and a gentle attack will help capture the tone.

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12. “Blues Power” – Eric Clapton

Story: Clapton’s live version of “Blues Power” from the 1970s shows his unique style, blending British rock and American blues. His solo here is dynamic and full of attitude.

Tone Tip: Clapton played a Gibson Les Paul or SG through a cranked Marshall amp. To capture his sound, use a thick, overdriven tone with plenty of sustain, and focus on aggressive phrasing.

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13. “Messin’ with the Kid” – Junior Wells (Guitar by Buddy Guy)

Story: Buddy Guy’s blues guitar solos on this Junior Wells track is gritty and energetic. His aggressive style and raw tone make it one of the best examples of Chicago blues guitar.

Tone Tip: For Buddy’s tone, use a Stratocaster with single coils and set your amp to a gritty, slightly overdriven sound. Try palm muting and heavy attacks for that extra bite.

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14. “I’m Tore Down” – Freddie King

Story: This classic blues song is full of Freddie’s signature fingerstyle licks. His solo is full of fast runs and heavy picking, blending Texas and Chicago blues perfectly.

Tone Tip: Use a semi-hollow guitar, dial in a warm, clean tone, and focus on fingerstyle picking to capture Freddie’s feel and tone.

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15. “I Can’t Quit You Baby” – Otis Rush

Story: Otis Rush’s passionate playing on this song became a blueprint for later blues-rock solos. His smooth bends and emotive phrasing are unforgettable.

Tone Tip: Use a Gibson ES-335 or similar guitar with humbuckers, and aim for a thick, warm tone with a touch of overdrive.

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16. “As the Years Go Passing By” – Albert King

Story: This song showcases Albert King’s distinct style, with huge bends and soulful vibrato. His solo feels as if every note is a voice crying out.

Tone Tip: Again, a humbucker guitar with a powerful amp tone will help you capture Albert’s expressive style. Focus on bending accuracy and wide vibrato.

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17. “All Your Love” – Otis Rush

Story: This tune helped define the “West Side” Chicago blues sound. Otis’s solo is both smooth and powerful, blending sharp phrasing with emotional bends.

Tone Tip: A Gibson guitar through a Fender amp with reverb will get you close. Keep the tone warm and play with feeling.

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18. “Boom Boom” – John Lee Hooker

Story: Hooker’s solo on “Boom Boom” has a driving, hypnotic feel. His solo technique was raw and repetitive, but it gives the song a unique groove.

Tone Tip: For Hooker’s tone, try using a hollow-body guitar, keep the amp clean, and add a steady, rhythmic picking style.

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19. “Five Long Years” – Eric Clapton

Story: Clapton’s solo here blends blues with hints of rock, creating a powerful yet smooth solo that builds in intensity.

Tone Tip: A Gibson guitar with humbuckers through a slightly overdriven amp captures Clapton’s sound. Focus on dynamic control.

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20. “Key to the Highway” – Derek Trucks

Story: Trucks’ slide playing is legendary, and this tune showcases his ability to make the guitar sing with a soulful, vocal-like blues guitar solos quality.

Tone Tip: For slide, try an SG with open tuning. Use light overdrive and practice with a glass or brass slide to capture his sound.

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Wrapping It Up

There you have it—20 of the most unforgettable blues guitar solos! These solos aren’t just notes on a fretboard; they’re moments in music history. Explore these tones, add them to your practice, and remember to bring your own style to each one. For more tips, join our Guitar Freaks Hangout on Discord—it’s where we share techniques, stories, and inspiration to keep the blues alive. 🎶