Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the players whose taste, tone, and touch have left an indelible mark on music history. Today, we focus on a true titan of the six-string, a player so synonymous with his chosen instrument that he earned the iconic nickname “Mr. 335”: the incomparable Larry Carlton. As a first-call L.A. session musician on hundreds of iconic records, a member of the legendary jazz group The Crusaders, and a celebrated solo artist, Carlton set the standard for sophisticated, soulful, and versatile guitar playing.
The Sound of Sophistication
Larry Carlton’s musical style is the epitome of taste and musicality. He is a master chameleon, able to seamlessly blend into any musical context, from pop and rock to soul, funk, and his native jazz. His playing is a perfect fusion of influences—the deep, soulful phrasing of the blues, the melodicism of pop, and the rich harmonic vocabulary of jazz. He brought a level of harmonic complexity to mainstream music that was unheard of, but he did it with such melodic grace that it was always accessible and beautiful.
His genius lies in his compositional approach to improvisation. A Larry Carlton solo is never a throwaway flurry of notes; it is a perfectly constructed melodic statement, a miniature song within the song, with a clear beginning, a compelling middle, and a satisfying resolution. He possesses an innate ability to craft lines that are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant, always serving the song with exactly what it needs. His work as part of the legendary L.A. session crew “The Wrecking Crew” and on countless hits of the ’70s and ’80s made his sound a cornerstone of the West Coast studio scene.
The Anatomy of “Mr. 335”: Technique and Tone
The magic of Larry Carlton’s sound is rooted in his incredibly expressive touch and his legendary, sought-after gear combination. His technique is a masterclass in nuance and control. He is famous for his masterful use of a volume pedal, which he uses to create smooth, violin-like swells, eliminating the initial pick attack for an incredibly vocal and horn-like quality. This is complemented by his lyrical string bends and a perfectly controlled vibrato that gives his notes a rich, singing character.
His identity as a guitarist is inextricably linked to his iconic instrument: a 1969 Gibson ES-335. This semi-hollow body guitar was the perfect tool for his versatile needs. It offered the warm, woody, and resonant tone of a hollow-body but with a solid center block that helped to reduce feedback at higher volumes, making it ideal for both studio sessions and live performances. The dual humbucking pickups provided the fat, rich sound that became his signature, and the nickname “Mr. 335” became a permanent part of his legend.
The other half of his mythical tone equation is his use of one of the rarest and most revered amplifiers ever made: a Dumble Overdrive Special. Hand-built by the enigmatic Alexander Dumble, these amps are legendary for their incredible touch sensitivity and rich, complex overdrive. A Dumble amp responds to every nuance of a player’s touch, cleaning up beautifully with a soft attack and blooming into a singing, harmonically rich overdrive when the player digs in. The combination of his Gibson ES-335 and a Dumble amplifier is widely considered to be one of the holy grails of electric guitar tone.
Essential Carlton: The Session King at Work
Larry Carlton’s guitar work has graced hundreds of gold and platinum records. To understand his immense talent and his impact on popular music, these three performances are absolutely essential.
“Kid Charlemagne”
“Room 335”
The Crusaders’ “Street Life”
Larry Carlton is a true master, a benchmark for melodicism, tone, and taste. He taught generations of guitarists that what you don’t play is just as important as what you do, and that the ultimate goal is always to serve the song. As a first-call session ace, a jazz innovator, and a solo star, his influence is immeasurable, cementing his legacy as one of the most respected and sophisticated guitarists to ever live.
Cover Photo Credit “2003-Lisbon-ec2003-Larry Carlton-Sapphire Blues concert – 33” by AmeriCatalyst is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
