GuitarCleanRiff
Hotel California Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Eagles
Eagles · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson EDS-1275 Double-Neck Electric Guitar (12-string neck for riff section)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (stock EDS-1275 pickups, 12-string neck)
Amp
Fender Deluxe Reverb (Blackface, studio recording, 1976)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup (12-string neck, both pickups on)
Studio recording, 1976. Don Felder played the main riff on the 12-string neck of a Gibson EDS-1275 through a Fender Deluxe Reverb. Mesa/Boogie Mark I and Tweed Deluxe are also mentioned in some sources, but Deluxe Reverb is most consistently cited for the studio version. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain0
Reverb4
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- chiming 12-string clarity
- warm and smooth
- articulate and open
- slightly compressed
- rich harmonic content
- lush and full-bodied
- clean with subtle breakup
- distinct string separation
- studio-polished
- touch-sensitive