GuitarDistortedRiff
China Grove Riff Guitar Tone Settings — The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1971 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe
Pickups
Mini-humbuckers (stock on early 1970s Les Paul Deluxe)
Amp
Fender Vibroverb (blackface, likely 1964 model, cranked for overdrive)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1973. Tom Johnston played the main riff on a Les Paul Deluxe into a cranked Fender Vibroverb. No evidence of pedals or effects on the riff section; distortion is from amp overdrive. All sources agree the tone is amp-driven, not pedal-based. No evidence of live/touring gear or later-era guitars/amps used on this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain6.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6
Tone Matcher
Match This Tone to Your Gear
Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.
7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.
Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- crunchy amp overdrive
- bright and articulate
- punchy midrange
- aggressive pick attack
- slightly compressed
- not fuzzy or scooped
- classic rock British crunch
- dynamic and responsive
- no pedal coloration