Riff Tone

Hotel California (Remastered)

Eagles

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

Guitar1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard

AmpFender Tweed Deluxe (narrow-panel, late 1950s)

PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain5

bass5

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveFulltone Fulltone OCD

compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1976. Don Felder used his '59 Les Paul into a cranked Fender Tweed Deluxe for the main riff and heavier sections. No evidence of additional amp or guitar for the riff section. Settings estimated based on era, amp type, and forum references. Effects chain kept minimal per Felder's interview.

Tone Character(10)

crunchy and warmsinging sustainarticulate attackslightly compressedclassic rock edgetouch of reverbnot super saturatedopen and dynamicfull-bodied midsclear note separation

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level control of dynamics and articulation, with syncopated chord changes and clean, crunchy picking. Not technically advanced, but demands tight rhythm and tone control.

Sources

Don Felder on the guitar gear behind classic Eagles albums | Guitar World hotel california solo tone?? - forum topic what amp setting for hotel california : r/guitarlessons

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