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 (likely original 'Patent Number' PAF-style)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7.5
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1976, solo section of 'Don't Take Me Alive' on Steely Dan's 'The Royal Scam'. Carlton confirms ES-335 bridge pickup into Tweed Deluxe, no effects or pedals, amp volume set to 'bark but not trashy'.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainbark but not trashyaggressive, biting solo tonerich harmonic overtonestouch-sensitive dynamic responseclassic Tweed breakupsmooth, compressed midrangeclear note separationno pedal colorationbridge pickup clarity
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced phrasing, expressive bends, and dynamic touch to control the Tweed Deluxe's breakup, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarGibson 1968 ES-335
AmpFender 'Wide Panel Tweed' Deluxe 5C3 (1953-1955)
PickupsGibson humbuckers (likely original 'Patent Number' PAF-style)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble7.5
reverb1.5
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1976, solo section of 'Don't Take Me Alive' on Steely Dan's 'The Royal Scam'. Carlton confirms ES-335 bridge pickup into Tweed Deluxe, no effects or pedals, amp volume set to 'bark but not trashy'.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainbark but not trashyaggressive, biting solo tonerich harmonic overtonestouch-sensitive dynamic responseclassic Tweed breakupsmooth, compressed midrangeclear note separationno pedal colorationbridge pickup clarity
Difficulty
The solo requires advanced phrasing, expressive bends, and dynamic touch to control the Tweed Deluxe's breakup, making it challenging for most players.
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