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Babe I'm Gonna Leave You Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin · 1960s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Harmony Sovereign H1260 acoustic (borrowed Gibson SJ-200 possibly used for some parts)
Pickups
None (acoustic guitar, no magnetic or piezo pickups on studio recording)
Amp
None (recorded direct with microphones, no amplifier used for acoustic riff section)
Pickup Position
N/A (acoustic, no pickup selector)
Studio recording, 1968; main riff is acoustic fingerstyle on Harmony Sovereign H1260. Some sources mention a borrowed Gibson SJ-200 (from Mickie Most) possibly used for additional layers, but the Sovereign is confirmed as the primary guitar for the riff. No amp or pedals used for the acoustic riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids3.5
Bass3
Gain1.5
Reverb1
Treble3.5
Presence2.5
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Tone Character
- warm and woody
- clear and articulate
- natural acoustic resonance
- percussive fingerstyle attack
- dynamic and expressive
- rich midrange
- open, ringing chords
- organic, unprocessed sound
- no amp coloration
- no effects or pedal coloration
Notes & Caveats
- No amplifier or pedal settings are relevant for the acoustic riff section; all tone is from the guitar and microphone placement.
- Some sources mention a borrowed Gibson SJ-200, but the Harmony Sovereign H1260 is directly confirmed by Jimmy Page and multiple reputable sources as the main guitar for the riff.
- No effects (pedal or amp) are used on the acoustic riff section; any reverb is likely from the room or mixing, not from pedals or amp.
- Settings provided as 0 to indicate no amp or pedal involvement; not a typical electric guitar signal chain.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Jimmy Page used a clean-to-edge-of-breakup tone for the riff, likely with a Telecaster into a Supro amp, emphasizing British midrange and clarity. The tone is warm but articulate, with moderate bass and treble, forward mids, and minimal reverb as was typical for late 60s rock studio recordings.