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

gain4

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

delayMaestro Echoplex EP-3

Notes

Studio recording, 1976. Don Felder played the main riff on the 12-string neck of a Gibson EDS-1275 through a Mesa Boogie Mark I. Joe Walsh played the lead lines on a Fender Telecaster through a Fender 75, but the riff is Felder's part. Effects confirmed for the studio recording include MXR Phase 90 and Echoplex. No evidence of chorus/flanger on the riff section.

Tone Character(9)

chiming and lush 12-string soundwarm and full-bodiedslightly compressed attackarticulate midrangeopen and ringing chordssubtle phase movementclear note separationclassic 1970s studio rock tonenot overly distorted, edge-of-breakup

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate skill due to the 12-string voicings, clean articulation, and rhythmic accuracy, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast passages.

Sources

The Gear of The Eagles' Guitarists | Reverb News Eagels Hotel California- what amps? | The Gear Page Don Felder, Eagles Guitarist Gear | Equipboard

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