Solo Tone

Don't Take Me Alive

Steely Dan

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson 1968 ES-335

AmpFender 'Wide Panel Tweed' Deluxe 5C3 (1953-1955)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (late 1960s, likely patent number or T-top)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6.5

treble7.5

reverb1.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1976. Used for Steely Dan's 'Don't Take Me Alive' solo section. Carlton states he used this amp only for Royal Scam/Aja/Nightfly sessions. No pedals, just guitar into amp. No evidence of effects loop or outboard effects for the clean tone. Volume set low (around 2-3 on amp), guitar volume maxed.

Tone Character(10)

clean and articulatewarm midrangeslightly compressed attacktouch-sensitive responsebright but not harshdynamic and expressiveclear note separationno audible reverb or delayclassic 70s studio claritybridge pickup bite

Difficulty

The solo demands advanced phrasing, dynamic control, and expressive bends typical of Larry Carlton's style, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Larry Carlton's Guitar Gear, Amps & Pedalboard | Equipboard Steely Dan Don't Take Me Alive tone - The Gear Page larry carlton's amps | The Gear Page

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