GuitarDistortedRiff
Runnin' Down a Dream Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Tom Petty
Tom Petty · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Pickups
Humbucker (likely Gibson PAF-style, stock Les Paul pickups)
Amp
Vox AC30
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1989. Mike Campbell used a Gibson Les Paul Standard into a Vox AC30 for the main riff. Gear confirmed for this song and era by Premier Guitar and Equipboard. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain5.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS808) · overdrive
Guitar (Gibson Les Paul Standard, bridge pickup) → Ibanez Tube Screamer → Vox AC30 (light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and punchy
- crunchy, harmonically rich
- articulate attack
- slightly compressed
- focused midrange
- classic British amp chime
- present but not harsh top end
- full-bodied low end
- dynamic response
- distinct note separation