Captain Fingers

The recording

Recorded at Kendun Recorders in Burbank and at Sound Labs and United Western Recorders in Hollywood, the title track was mixed by Don Murray, Tommy Vicari and John Mills and mastered by Bernie Grundman. Lee Ritenour performed electric guitars, a 12‑string electric, acoustic and classical guitars, and a 360 Systems Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer, all routed through a 1965 Fender Twin Reverb. The bright, articulate tone comes from his Gibson ES‑335 delivering rich humbucker output, while the synth adds layered polyphonic textures that define the fusion sound of the piece.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1975 Gibson ES-335

Guitar

Ritenour is generally attributed to using a Gibson ES‑335 for the electric guitar parts on "Captain Fingers", providing a warm, full‑bodied tone that cuts through the mix.

360 Systems Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer

Guitar Synthesizer

The 360 Systems Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer is used on multiple tracks, adding lush synth textures that blend with the electric guitars for a distinctive fusion sound.

1965 Fender Twin Reverb

Amplifier

Alternatives

Gibson ES-335 Standard (2022)

Modern equivalent · for the 1975 Gibson ES-335

$2,500 to $3,200

Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the 1965 Fender Twin Reverb

$1,600 to $1,900

Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer

Modern equivalent · for the 360 Systems Polyphonic Guitar Synthesizer

$800 to $1,200

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Use a clean attack near the bridge to capture the bright ES‑335 tone.
2. 2.Blend fingerpicking with a pick for fluid chord‑melody passages.
3. 3.Engage the volume knob for smooth swells during melodic phrases.
4. 4.Activate the 360 Systems synth’s polyphonic mode to layer chordal textures.
5. 5.Maintain a relaxed grip to let the Twin Reverb’s natural headroom sustain the notes.