What semi-hollow is Larry Carlton playing?

**Fidelcaster** · 01-05-2017, 09:36 AM

In this old video:

**ESCC** · 01-05-2017, 10:31 AM

I'm guessing Yamaha

**Fidelcaster** · 01-05-2017, 10:38 AM

I've never seen that headstock on a Yamaha, but it might well be an old model I'm not familiar with.

**Meggy** · 01-05-2017, 10:52 AM

It looks to me as if the upper horn extends just a bit more than the lower one - if so, then maybe not a Yam. Some custom job perhaps? Would be interested to know.

**Fidelcaster** · 01-05-2017, 11:00 AM

I just found this thread where someone says it was a Valley Arts. Unfortunately, all the links are broken.

**Meggy** · 01-05-2017, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Fidelcaster

I just found this thread where someone says it was a Valley Arts. Unfortunately, all the links are broken.

Looking through that thread, someone says it's probably a Valley Arts "336" model. I just tried searching for "Valley Arts 336 guitar" in Google images, and the first two pictures do appear to be of the guitar in the video. The second one shows the headstock, and it looks to have a slanting "Larry Carlton" logo inlay to me - and that also looks the same as the guitar in the video. So, Valley Arts seems a strong bet - I guess they made the one for Larry, and possibly sold a few others, but maybe not many.

valley arts 336 guitar - Google Search

**bonnerj** · 01-05-2017, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Fidelcaster

I just found this thread where someone says it was a Valley Arts. Unfortunately, all the links are broken.

Here you go: literature: pre-Gibson, pre-Samick Valley Arts Guitars

**Woody Sound** · 01-05-2017, 11:19 AM

Yeah, he's a long-time VA customer.

**Meggy** · 01-05-2017, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by bonnerj

Here you go: literature: pre-Gibson, pre-Samick Valley Arts Guitars

So Gibson commissioned Valley Arts to make the guitar, and it is in fact the origin of Gibson's current 336 model - a direct link there. Interesting stuff, and I guess quite a significant guitar, even beyond the fact that Larry Carlton played it.

**jim777** · 01-05-2017, 11:34 AM

Those original Valley Arts guitars were just fantastic guitars, can't say enough good things about them. I've never played or seen one of these, but I played a few of their Strats and Teles and man they were nice!

**ESCC** · 01-05-2017, 04:03 PM

Very interesting, I only knew Valley Arts for their solid bodies, silly me.

**goldenwave77** · 01-05-2017, 06:09 PM

Aside from equipment concerns, Carlton's playing is just amazing. I know he caught flak over the years from some who thought his sound/thing was a little too "LA Studio-Sounding", but man his phrasing is just right where it needs to be.

I have an album "Kid Gloves" which is in that vein, but I'll listen to it over and over, because he just nails every phrase, and his intention is so well achieved.

The police never caught (or found out) who attacked, and almost killed him. Sometimes I think it was another guitarist who couldn't stand the fact that Carlton was fully-booked, at triple-scale pay rates, in the studios.

**Jimmy Mack** · 01-05-2017, 11:15 PM

You are so right, on all 3 points goldenwave77.

**SG2000** · 08-25-2017, 03:36 PM

Ehrm, without any intention of sounding blasé in any way.... I just asked Mr. Carlton about this guitar.

Larry played in Amsterdam in an unfindable little awkward and ancient place, the Paradiso North venue, at March 22nd 2016. His show had been an improvised one, he had blown up one of his speakers, an amplifier gave trouble, but his phrasing and tone were good as ever. After his show, he took the time to talk to the people that wanted autographs and were ready to pay hugely for his CDs. And I was one of those people.

So, I had this chat with my long time guitar hero, picture proof!, he was smaller than I thought, but friendly and truly interested in talking about guitars, even after so many years of playing and after what must have been his 4,000th plus gig.

For some reason I asked him the whereabouts of this beautiful guitar, which is on that DVD made in Germany. He answered: "I wouldn't know where it is, it has disappeared somewhere in history, gone with the tide". So, anyone in for a 'search warrant' on this long lost object? Or shall we leave it where it is, maybe resting in peace? Larry did not seem to be interested in this guitar anymore, but maybe someone else is. I am happy with the beauties I have, and for sure, you can't have all the beauty in the world!

Happy searching! SG2000/GJ

**rhoadsscholar** · 08-25-2017, 09:59 PM

I happen to wonder in a small club in Studio City on a Sunday Afternoon in the late 70's who had indicated Larry Carlton was playing. There were maybe 10 people in the whole place. There he was with an awesome lineup. At break, he went around to every table. We chatted guitars for about 10 minutes. What a great experience. A class act. It turns out the owner of the club was a friend of his and it was an impromptu announcement. Right place at the right time.

**Flat** · 08-26-2017, 05:59 AM

So here's my mr335 story...

Last time I heard Larry in person was when he came to GIT in LA in 1983 or 4 to do a one-off seminar. One of the big events of the semester in the eyes of a lot of my compadres...and myself.

He passed out copies of his actual lead sheet from his Steely Dan session for "Josie." Played some amazing and beautiful stuff. The real deal from Note One, all by himself on a clinic stage. He talked some theory and mechanics. He talked about his pedal board. (I got a ProCo RAT the next friggin week. Still got it.) He was extremely cool and cordial and unrockstar down to earth as could be.

Flash forward...I've got tickets to see him here in L.A. next week. Thirty plus years since then.

I'm going to make a copy of that lead sheet and bring it in my pocket just because.