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Riff Tone

Long Train Runnin'

The Doobie Brothers

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG (early 1970s, Tom Johnston's main studio guitar)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely studio amp for clean tone, era-correct and widely cited for Doobie Brothers clean tones)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, early 1970s SG)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

Notes

Studio recording, 1973. Guitar is Tom Johnston's Gibson SG with stock humbuckers. Amp is most likely a Fender Twin Reverb for the clean rhythm riff, as was typical for the band's clean tones in this era. MXR Phase 90 phaser pedal used for subtle modulation on the riff. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and amp model due to lack of explicit numeric data in sources.

Tone Character(10)

clean and funkybright and articulatetight and percussivedynamic and responsivesubtle phaser swirlwarm but clearchoppy, syncopated rhythmminimal breakupclassic 1970s Fender cleanslightly compressed attack

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced rhythm skills, fast and accurate strumming, and precise muting to achieve the signature percussive, funky feel.

Sources

Doobie Brothers (Tom Johnston) Amp Settings (gear and tone tips)doobie brothers gear | Guitar Forum Long Train Runnin' Guitar Lesson (The Doobie Brothers)

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Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG (early 1970s, Tom Johnston's main studio guitar)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (likely studio amp for clean tone, era-correct and widely cited for Doobie Brothers clean tones)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock, early 1970s SG)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

Sources

Doobie Brothers (Tom Johnston) Amp Settings (gear and tone tips)doobie brothers gear | Guitar Forum Long Train Runnin' Guitar Lesson (The Doobie Brothers)

Notes

Studio recording, 1973. Guitar is Tom Johnston's Gibson SG with stock humbuckers. Amp is most likely a Fender Twin Reverb for the clean rhythm riff, as was typical for the band's clean tones in this era. MXR Phase 90 phaser pedal used for subtle modulation on the riff. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and amp model due to lack of explicit numeric data in sources.

Tone Character(10)

clean and funkybright and articulatetight and percussivedynamic and responsivesubtle phaser swirlwarm but clearchoppy, syncopated rhythmminimal breakupclassic 1970s Fender cleanslightly compressed attack

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced rhythm skills, fast and accurate strumming, and precise muting to achieve the signature percussive, funky feel.

Create Free Account

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