Riff Tone

Hotel California

Eagles

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1975 Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck (12-string neck for riff section)

AmpMesa Boogie Mark I

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock for EDS-1275, likely T-Top humbuckers)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb4

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

delayMaestro Echoplex EP-3

Notes

Studio recording, 1976. Don Felder played the 12-string neck for the main riff section. Joe Walsh played a Fender Telecaster for the other guitar parts, but the riff is Felder on the EDS-1275 through a Mesa Boogie Mark I. Effects confirmed for studio recording only.

Tone Character(10)

warm and lush 12-string shimmerarticulate and brightrich, full-bodied chordsdistinct note separationclassic rock studio clarityslight amp breakup at peaksambient, slightly reverberantno audible overdrive or distortionpristine clean playingsubtle modulation for depth

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to the 12-string guitar's wider neck and doubled strings, as well as the need for precise chord voicings and clean, articulate playing to achieve the signature sound.

Sources

The Gear of The Eagles' Guitarists | Reverb News Eagels Hotel California- what amps? | The Gear Page Don Felder, Eagles Guitarist Gear | Equipboard what amp setting for hotel california : r/guitarlessons - Reddit Don Felders tone on hotel california : r/Guitar - Reddit

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