Riff Tone

I Won't Back Down

Tom Petty

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarGretsch 6186 Clipper (tuned to open-G)

AmpAmpeg Rocket

PickupsGretsch single-coil pickups (original to 1960s Clipper)

Amp Settings

gain3.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1988. Mike Campbell used the Gretsch Clipper for the main riff/slide part on the original studio recording of 'I Won't Back Down.' The amp was his longtime Ampeg Rocket, as used on many Heartbreakers recordings. No evidence of pedals or effects used for the riff section; focus is on the guitar/amp tone. All info specific to the studio version, not live.

Tone Character(10)

bright and chimingslightly gritty edgeclear and articulateopen and resonantwarm but not muddyclassic rock jangletouch of amp breakupfull-bodied slide toneno audible effects colorationdynamic and responsive

Difficulty

The riff is straightforward in terms of rhythm and chord structure but requires basic slide technique and good intonation in open-G tuning, making it accessible to early intermediate players.

Sources

Mike Campbell on his many guitars, Heartbreakers and more | MusicRadar Tom Petty's Mike Campbell: Ultimate Rig Rundown - Premier Guitar

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account