The Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $3540.83. Close alternatives include the Guild Nightingale and the Eric Clapton's Custom-Painted Gibson SG "The Fool". It pairs well with the Peavey Decade Too and the PRS HX 100 Head.
Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335
Gibson · electric guitar
The Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 is the signature semi-hollow of 'Mr. 335', based on his beloved 1969 ES-335. It combines the ES-335's warm, sustaining, feedback-resistant semi-hollow voice with refined appointments suited to Carlton's smooth jazz, blues and fusion playing. The center block tames feedback while the body adds warmth and bloom, giving singing leads and full chords.
- singing
- fusion
- smooth jazz
- warmth
- lead
- blues
- semi hollow tone
- warm
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 is commonly used in
- Blues
- Jazz
- Smooth Jazz
- Jazz Fusion
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Latin
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335
Peavey Decade Too
Peavey
22% matchRun Peavey Decade Too after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
PRS HX 100 Head
PRS
20% matchPRS HX 100 Head's bright balances out the warm tone
Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp
Vox
19% matchRun Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Boss Waza-Air
Boss
tonal matchBoss Waza-Air leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Egnater VN-412A
Egnater
tonal matchEgnater VN-412A's bright balances out the warm tone
Laney Richter
Laney
tonal matchLaney Richter leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
PRS HX 50 Head
PRS
tonal matchPRS HX 50 Head's bright balances out the warm tone
Soldano 4x12 Straight Classic Cabinet (Purple)
Soldano
tonal matchSoldano 4x12 Straight Classic Cabinet (Purple) leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Pedals that stack with the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335
Catalinbread Galileo
Catalinbread
19% matchCatalinbread Galileo's bright balances out the warm tone
Catalinbread RAH
Catalinbread
19% matchRun Catalinbread RAH after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Boss EQ 200 Graphic Equalizer
Boss
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Boss EQ 200 Graphic Equalizer answers back bright
CALIFORNIA WUB Continuum EQ Galaxy Man Edition
California Wub
tonal matchRun CALIFORNIA WUB Continuum EQ Galaxy Man Edition after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Friedman Plexi-Drive Mini Overdrive
Friedman
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Friedman Plexi-Drive Mini Overdrive answers back bright
Fuzzrocious Baxtabber
Fuzzrocious
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Fuzzrocious Baxtabber answers back bright
Hornby Skewes Treble Booster
pedal
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Hornby Skewes Treble Booster answers back bright
Ibanez Jemini
Ibanez
tonal matchIbanez Jemini leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson ES-335
Gibson
70% similarity“The Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 is the signature semi-hollow of 'Mr. 335', based on his beloved 1969 ES-335”
Epiphone BB King Lucille Ebony
Epiphone
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar
electric guitar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-125
electric guitar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster
electric guitar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion III Electric Guitar
electric guitar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Guild Nightingale
Guild
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Eric Clapton's Custom-Painted Gibson SG "The Fool"
Gibson
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Albert Collins Telecaster
Fender
92% similaritysimilar tone character
1967 Gibson SG Custom - White
Gibson
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-175 (Metheny)
Gibson
92% similaritysimilar tone character
PRS Jazz Electric Nylon
PRS
92% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335?+
The closest matches in character are the Guild Nightingale, the Eric Clapton's Custom-Painted Gibson SG "The Fool", the Fender Albert Collins Telecaster. Budget picks: Gibson ES-335, Epiphone BB King Lucille Ebony, Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar.
What pairs well with the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Peavey Decade Too, PRS HX 100 Head, Vox AC30 Guitar Combo Amp — Run Peavey Decade Too after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright.
How much does the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 cost?+
Around $3540.83 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).
Compare
- vs Guild Nightingale
- vs Eric Clapton's Custom-Painted Gibson SG "The Fool"
- vs Epiphone BB King Lucille Ebony