Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride) — Don Felder1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo

Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride) Guitar Tone Settings — Don Felder

Don Felder · 1980s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely late-70s, possibly with aftermarket pickups)
Pickups
Single-coil (exact model unknown, possibly Fender or aftermarket Hot Noiseless as used by Felder in this era)
Amp
Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1981. Gear inferred from era, Felder's known preferences, and Equipboard artist page. No direct source confirms exact pickup model for this solo, but Stratocaster with single-coils is highly likely. JC-120 is confirmed as a Felder amp of choice for this period, and its clean headroom and built-in chorus/flanger are consistent with the solo's tone.

Amp Settings

Mids
6
Bass
6
Gain
6
Reverb
3
Treble
7
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Flanger pedal (model unknown) · flanger
  • Distortion pedal (model unknown) · distortion

Fender Stratocaster → Distortion pedal → Flanger pedal → Roland JC-120 (with spring reverb)

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Tone Character

  • singing sustain
  • crunchy lead tone
  • bright and articulate
  • clear note separation
  • modulated sweep
  • liquid sustain
  • chorus-like shimmer
  • flanger swirl
  • medium output
  • dynamic pick attack

Sources