Riff Tone

Free Fallin'

Tom Petty

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarRickenbacker 360/12 (12-string electric)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface, mid-1960s)

PickupsRickenbacker single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb4

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

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.

Tone Character(10)

chiming and janglybright and articulateclean and shimmeringopen and airyclassic Rickenbacker sparkleclear note separationlush, layered texturegentle amp reverbstudio clarityno audible overdrive

Difficulty

The riff is based on open chords and straightforward strumming, but requires a light, even touch to maintain the clean, chiming sound of the 12-string and avoid muddiness.

Sources

Tom Petty's Mike Campbell: Ultimate Rig Rundown - Premier Guitar Learn To Play: Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" | Reverb News

This tone has been researched 3 times by the community

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