Get this tone on your rig
Tuned to the exact gear you own
The recording
Dean Parks recorded the rhythm guitar on 'Josie' with a 1968 Gibson ES‑335, while Larry Carlton overdubbed the lead part. Both parts were tracked at Producers' Workshop in Los Angeles; Carlton’s solo was mic’d close to a vintage Fender 5C3 'Tweed' Deluxe combo, giving the lead a clean, mid‑range punch that sits prominently in the mix.
Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)
Signal chain
Reported gear
1968 Gibson ES-335
Guitar
Dean Parks used a 1968 Gibson ES‑335 for the rhythm part on 'Josie', delivering a warm, sustained tone that underpins the groove.
Fender 5C3 'Tweed' Deluxe (late 1950s)
Amplifier
Larry Carlton’s lead on 'Josie' was captured through a vintage Fender 5C3 'Tweed' Deluxe combo, mic'd close to preserve its natural tube breakup and clear mids.
Alternatives
Gibson ES-335 Standard (2023)
Modern equivalent · for the 1968 Gibson ES-335
Fender '57 Tweed Deluxe Reissue
Reissue · for the Fender 5C3 'Tweed' Deluxe (late 1950s)
Practical playing approach
Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.
- 1.Select the neck pickup on a hollow‑body guitar (e.g., ES‑335) for a warm, rounded tone.
- 2.Set the amp’s volume high enough to let the tubes break up naturally, keeping the tone controls balanced.
- 3.Use light to medium picking attack and let each chord ring, employing subtle palm‑muting for the funky comp.
- 4.Record a clean rhythm track first, then overdub a lead part with a brighter tone for contrast.
- 5.Apply gentle compression in the mix to even out dynamics, emulating the tight studio sound of the original.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What gear was used for the Josie guitar tone?
The available research points to 1968 Gibson ES-335 into Fender 5C3 'Tweed' Deluxe (late 1950s). The full reported signal chain and evidence links are listed on this page.
Are the original Josie amp settings documented?
Exact historical knob positions are not reliably documented for most recordings. ToneTwin does not publish generated values as studio fact; it creates playable settings only for the amp and pedals a player selects.
What tuning is Josie in?
The current research record lists Standard (E A D G B E). ToneTwin keeps corrections open when reliable accounts disagree.
How do I recreate the Josie tone on my own gear?
Use the reported pickup, gain character, effects and signal-chain order as the target, then translate that target to your equipment. The matcher models controls for your selected rig rather than copying undocumented studio numbers.
Researched and reviewed by the ToneTwin Research Team.
