lead guitar from “kid charlemagne” by steely dan | ToneDB
kid charlemagne
steely dan
lead guitar
Tone Profile
A bright, articulate, and slightly overdriven guitar tone with a smooth sustain, perfect for complex jazz-fusion melodies. The sound is clean yet has a biting edge, making it stand out in the mix.
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The Story
Larry Carlton recorded this iconic lead guitar part using a Gibson ES-335 through a Howard Dumble Overdrive Special amplifier. The session took place at Village Recorder in Los Angeles with engineer Roger Nichols, who captured Carlton's amp with what's reported to be a Neumann U67 microphone. The Dumble amp's smooth overdrive characteristics combined with the ES-335's semi-hollow warmth created the articulate, singing sustain that made this solo legendary in jazz-fusion circles.
Production Credits
Producer: Gary Katz
Engineer: Roger Nichols
Recorded at: Village Recorder, Los Angeles
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson ES-335Shop on Reverb
Amp: Howard Dumble Overdrive SpecialShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a semi-hollow guitar like a Gibson ES-335 or similar to capture the warmth and sustain.
- Use an overdrive pedal that emulates the Dumble Overdrive Special's characteristics. Look for pedals with smooth, tube-like overdrive.
- Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot for your amp. A classic choice is a Neumann U67 or similar condenser mic.
- Apply gentle compression to even out the dynamics and enhance sustain without squashing the tone.
- Use EQ to shape the tone, focusing on clarity in the high-mids and warmth in the low-mids.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Howard Dumble Overdrive Special
Hand-wired boutique amp with Dumble-inspired circuitry, delivering similar smooth overdrive and dynamic response
Alternative to: Howard Dumble Overdrive Special
Budget option that provides smooth, tube-like overdrive characteristics similar to Dumble's signature sound
Alternative to: Gibson ES-335
Semi-hollow construction delivers similar warmth and sustain at a fraction of the cost
Alternative to: Howard Dumble Overdrive Special
Digital recreation of Dumble circuits with the convenience of recording direct
Alternative to: Neumann U67
Large diaphragm condenser with similar warm character for recording guitar amps
Frequently Asked Questions
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