The collectible guitar comes with a host of extras that pay homage to the 1974 festival and the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match
In a tribute to one of the most iconic collisions of music and sports history, Gibson Custom unveils the limited edition B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355. This guitar is a loving tribute to the instrument played by the legendary bluesman during his unforgettable performance at the Zaire 74 music festival that preceded the legendary 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. With only 100 units produced, this release celebrates B.B. King’s influence on generations of musicians and honors the legacy of that historic event.
B.B. King’s performance at the festival, held in conjunction with arguably the greatest heavyweight boxing match of all time, remains one of the most celebrated moments in his career. King played his 1974 ES-355 on stage—the model he preferred until his signature Gibson Lucille was created in 1980. The new model captures the essence of that instrument, from its Walnut finish to its finely tuned electronics.
Mat Koehler, Gibson Vice President of Products, hails B.B. King’s “raw and soulful playing and vocals” at Zaire 74, along with the “heavy grooves coming from his band of all-stars, including Larry Carlton,” but believes the show’s palpable significance to King made his performance especially iconic.
“The opportunity to perform in Africa was a spiritual and symbolic return to the roots of blues music,” says Koehler. “B.B. took it very seriously. He wanted to honor the people of Zaire with a memorable and reverent performance, and he spoke later of how powerful and moving it was for him to do that. You could feel it then, and you can still feel it come through the videos 50 years later. That day, he showed the world he could transcend cultural and geographical boundaries with blues music.”
Image: The B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355 is a loving tribute to the guitar King played at one of his most iconic performances
Made with love
The B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” ES-355 is a labor of love from the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. It features a Murphy Lab Light Aged finish that mimics the wear and tear that would have been present on King’s original guitar. This precision aging gives the guitar an authentic, road-worn look, as though it had been played onstage by the King of the Blues himself. With its stunning walnut body and gold hardware, it’s a remarkable instrument.
Premium appointments abound, from mother-of-pearl inlays adorning the fretboard to the iconic split diamond headstock inlay—a hallmark of the ES-355. A Maestro™ Vibrola™ tailpiece adds to the vintage appeal, while the guitar’s electronics ensure a rich, versatile sound that will resonate with both performers and collectors.
Speaking about the process of creating this model, Mat Koehler says, “It’s a bit of a mystery where the original ended up. He owned and played something like a dozen different Walnut ES-355s in the 70s. So, we tried to capture the spirit as closely as possible using 1970s ES-355 blueprints, which showcase the narrow cutaway shape, neck construction, and volute unique to the model in that era.
“But we did not go to the length of, say, removing the vibrato arm as he had it in Zaire. We wanted it to represent that era of B.B.’s playing, not just the one show, and that is important because B.B. played Walnut ES-355s longer than any other single model type in his career, other than his Lucille signature model.”
Image: The guitar features a six-position mono Varitone switch for tonal flexibility
Superior electronics
At the heart of the B.B. King ES-355’s sound are T-Type Custombucker pickups, delivering the clarity and warmth for which B.B. King’s tone was renowned. With vintage taper potentiometers and a six-position mono Varitone switch, players can access a wide range of tonal possibilities, making this guitar as functional as it is beautiful. Whether you’re looking to replicate B.B.’s signature sound or carve out your own, this ES-355 offers endless versatility.
Koehler explains, “We chose T-Type pickups because that is what you would have seen in 1974, always with Alnico 5 magnets and very consistent with the number of winds. They are fantastic pickups for blues playing—expressive, nuanced, and bright, but never harsh.”
The pickups are made more versatile by the Varitone. Koehler says, “It’s obvious that B.B. loved Varitones from the very start—his Live at the Regal ES-335 was custom-ordered with one in 1959, the very first year they were available. And with some minor exceptions, he used one ever since. You mainly see him using position two or three—the second and third clicks—and that makes sense because he needed to cut through the large bands behind him. The Varitone acts as a frequency filter, choking out some of the low end, but it was a great tool for B.B. to get those clear, singing notes at any stage volume or dynamic.”
Boxing clever
The guitar comes with a host of extras that pay homage to the 1974 festival and the “Rumble in the Jungle” fight, including unique case candy. A custom “Zaire” hardshell case completes the package, featuring a design inspired by the original event.
Image: The guitar comes bundled with a host of case candy that ties back to that historic festival performance and the legendary fight
Limited availability
With only 100 units available, the B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355 is a collector’s item destined to be cherished for years to come. Each instrument is individually numbered, ensuring its exclusivity.
This release is a fitting tribute to B.B. King and his indelible impact on music history. Whether you’re a guitarist or a collector, this limited-edition model is a must-have for anyone who reveres the King of the Blues.
Learn more about the B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355.
