Way back in the 1970s, session great Larry Carlton was dubbed “Mr. 335.” In fact, his debut album was titled “Room 335” for obvious reasons. Though he has played a wide range of guitars throughout his career, he always gravitates back to the Gibson ES-335. Even if you don’t know Larry, you’ve heard his solos on an incredible number of albums and singles. His Steely Dan solos alone are like an encyclopedia of great guitar sounds, though Larry is as comfortable with rock as he is with funk, R&B and jazz fusion. Oddly enough, Larry’s favorite ES-335 isn’t one of the early dot-necks, but rather the ’60s style, with the fast, slim taper neck and pearloid block inlays. So when Gibson decided it was time to create the Larry Carlton Signature ES-335, they took Larry’s guitar and recreated it for us “mere mortals.”
The classic semihollow body design is constructed with a composite maple/poplar/maple top, back and sides, which keeps the instrument nice and light. Single-ply cream binding and real “f-holes” add just the right touch of class. Like all 335s, this one has the solid maple block running down the center, which keeps feedback to a minimum. When it came time to choose the pickups, Gibson went with their ’57 PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers, which are as good as it gets when you’re talking about tone. It’s got it all: Complex midrange, punchy lows and a smooth top end that won’t make your teeth hurt. If you’re looking for a pickup that starts out clean and can really smoke when your amp is on 11, well then, that’s just how Larry likes it! As mentioned, he also prefers the ’60s slim taper neck profile with rosewood fingerboard and pearloid block inlays. If it didn’t play incredibly fast, sound terrific and feel absolutely great, you have to ask yourself, “Would Larry play it?” The answer should be obvious!
