Trying to get a Steely Dan feel on an electric solo

[815C]

I did a session awhile back in which I tried to get a Steely Dan vibe going on a guitar solo. You can hear it here....

http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/song_details/8656432

Played a Strat thru a Mesa DC3 1x12 combo. I showed up thinking I was going to be playing on another singers laid back project and they threw this tune at me instead. Wish I'd taken another amp as the Mesa tone is OK but not what I would have selected as my first choice had I known this type of tune was being recorded.

[enalnitram]

I think you got real close!

You could nail it by thinking that you are not a guitar, and more like a horn. play exactly like you did, but just take some notes away, inserting breath-like pauses into your phrases.

you could play a melodic sequence or whatever, and then climax with a spectacular bluesy bend. do that, post it again, and we will think we're listening to Larry Carlton.

Don and Walt, for all their soul and R&B influence, definitely kneel down at the altar of jazz.

The sound you are using sounds right to me, very Becker-esque.

[enalnitram]

Also, have you ever heard Drew Zingg? My favorite SD guitarist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7nqIKbZiYo

I do know what you mean about the tone. Most SD guitarists will use a more singing tone. but what you used can work. Becker sounds kinda like that and 'digs' into the notes, playing almost 'vertically' whereas many of their sidemen lay it out more fluidly or horizontally.

[Gypsyblue]

Larry Carlton used a late 1950's Fender tweed Deluxe amp and his 60's ES-335 for the Steely Dan stuff. That's what's heard on Kid Charlemagne. It's hard to make a Strat sound like a 335 - impossible really. Nice playing though!

[Steve Berger]

Excellent 815C

Originally Posted by enalnitram

Also, have you ever heard Drew Zingg? My favorite SD guitarist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7nqIKbZiYo

I do know what you mean about the tone. Most SD guitarists will use a more singing tone. but what you used can work. Becker sounds kinda like that and 'digs' into the notes, playing almost 'vertically' whereas many of their sidemen lay it out more fluidly or horizontally.

Drew Zingg . . . Really? I saw him live with SD and he was/is great but with so many epic players to have played on SD cuts and live shows through the years it!s ware too hard for me to pick one favorite.

[Steely Glen]

Sounded good to me. I give props to anyone who takes on SD.

[Buck62]

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

Sounded good to me. I give props to anyone who takes on SD.

Me too.

So, check this guy out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTWBEc5C9NU