How to Dial In "Smiles and Smiles to Go" by Larry Carlton - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Smiles and Smiles to Go"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Alone/But Never Alone (1986). Alone / But Never Alone is an album by Larry Carlton, released in 1986. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson ES-335 through a Marshall JCM800 2203, the nearest rig we use for Larry Carlton's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a light crunch and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Smiles and Smiles to Go" Tone
What guitar did Larry Carlton use on "Smiles and Smiles to Go"?
The guitar on "Smiles and Smiles to Go" (released 1986) isn't documented; the Gibson ES-335 above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Smiles and Smiles to Go" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 5, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 6, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Smiles and Smiles to Go" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Smiles and Smiles to Go" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Smiles and Smiles to Go" by Larry Carlton are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.