Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV Yellow

Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV Yellow review

The Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV Yellow is a straightforward electric guitar built around one bridge-mounted P90 pickup. Its mahogany body and set mahogany neck give it a familiar, traditional layout, while the wraparound bridge keeps the hardware simple. At a listed price of $322, it is aimed at players who want a P90 sound without spending at the level of more expensive single-pickup guitars.

The model has been available since April 2025. Its TV Yellow finish is paired with a black pickguard and chrome-plated hardware. There is no separate top, tremolo, case, or gig bag included. The supplied owner feedback is generally positive about sound, value, and playability, though comments on finish quality are not entirely consistent.

Construction and feel

The body and set-in neck are both mahogany, with a rosewood fingerboard. The neck has a C profile, rounded fingerboard edges, and a 305 mm (12-inch) radius. Its 629 mm (24.75-inch) scale length and 43 mm (1.69-inch) nut width give the instrument familiar proportions. White pearloid dot inlays mark the fingerboard, which carries 22 medium-jumbo frets.

One owner describes the setup and playability as excellent, adding that the guitar sits comfortably in the hands. Another praises the overall finish, while a separate review reports that the finish quality fell short. A buyer also noted a small paint flaw on the neck, which the retailer compensated fairly. These accounts suggest that individual examples may vary, so a close inspection on arrival is sensible.

The available feedback does not provide measurements for weight, neck relief, or action, and those details should not be assumed. The rounded fingerboard edges and C-shaped neck are the clearest indicators of the intended feel, but personal comfort will depend on the player's preferences and the instrument's setup.

One P90, practical controls

The L3 uses an LC Vintage P90 single-coil pickup in the bridge position. There is no neck pickup, so the range comes from the pickup itself, the guitar's volume and tone controls, and the three-way switch. Because only one pickup is specified, buyers should not expect the contrasting neck and bridge sounds available on a two-pickup guitar.

Owners describe the P90 as full and satisfying, with a sound between a traditional single-coil and a humbucker. One reviewer was especially pleased with its output and said the hum remained manageable. The pickup also responds well to the volume control, provided the amplifier is suited to the job. That response gives the player a way to move between cleaner and more driven sounds without relying on a pickup selector to change positions.

The owner feedback points to blues-rock as a strong use case, covering clean tones through breakup and crunch. The guitar is also described as a useful addition for players who want a different voice from their existing instruments. There are no detailed recordings or measured output figures in the supplied information, so these tonal impressions are best treated as player reports rather than guarantees.

Hardware and setup

A wraparound bridge anchors the strings, and LC Standard machine heads handle tuning. The listed hardware is chrome-plated. The specification sheet names a bone nut, while the control layout consists of one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way switch. No tremolo is fitted. This is a restrained setup, with few adjustments or controls to distract from the basic interaction between pickup, instrument, and amplifier.

One owner reports that the factory setup and playability needed no complaints. That is encouraging, although setup can vary between instruments and playing styles. Players who prefer very low action or use heavier strings may still want a professional adjustment after purchase.

Verdict

The Larry Carlton L3 P90 TV Yellow makes a focused case for a single bridge P90: a mahogany body and set neck, a simple control layout, and owner-reported tones suited to blues-rock and general jamming. The most convincing comments concern the pickup's character, the volume control's usefulness, and the value compared with pricier alternatives. Finish feedback is mixed, and there is no case or gig bag in the package.

For a player specifically seeking a one-pickup guitar with P90 character, the L3 offers a direct, uncomplicated option at its listed price. Buyers who need multiple pickup positions, a tremolo, or included protection should account for those omissions before choosing it.