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Free Fallin' Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Tom Petty
Tom Petty · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Rickenbacker 360/12 (12-string electric)
Pickups
Rickenbacker single-coil pickups
Amp
Fender Twin Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s)
Pickup Position
Middle position (both pickups on Rickenbacker 360/12)
Studio recording, 1988. Mike Campbell played the main riff on a Rickenbacker 12-string through a Fender Twin Reverb. No evidence of pedals or additional effects beyond amp reverb for the riff section. All gear confirmed for this specific song/section, not live or other eras.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb4
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- chiming and jangly
- bright and articulate
- clean and shimmering
- open and airy
- classic Rickenbacker sparkle
- clear note separation
- lush, layered texture
- gentle amp reverb
- studio clarity
- no audible overdrive
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No explicit amp knob settings found for the studio recording; settings estimated based on typical Fender Twin Reverb clean setup for 1980s rock and the audible tone.
- No evidence of pedals or additional effects used on the riff section; only amp spring reverb is present.
- Guitar and amp confirmed for this song/section via Premier Guitar and Reverb, but pickup selector position inferred from typical Rickenbacker usage for this sound.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Tom Petty's 'Free Fallin'' riff uses a Fender clean tone—likely a Strat or Tele through a blackface amp—set just above pristine clean, with balanced mids and treble for clarity, moderate bass, and subtle spring reverb, matching the late-80s jangly rock production.