Riff Tone
Runnin' Down a Dream
Tom Petty
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard
AmpVox AC30
PickupsHumbucker (likely Gibson PAF-style, stock Les Paul pickups)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS808)
Notes
Studio recording, 1989. Mike Campbell used a Gibson Les Paul Standard into a Vox AC30 for the main riff. Gear confirmed for this song and era by Premier Guitar and Equipboard. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchycrunchy, harmonically richarticulate attackslightly compressedfocused midrangeclassic British amp chimepresent but not harsh top endfull-bodied low enddynamic responsedistinct note separation
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise timing to maintain clarity at a brisk tempo. While not technically advanced, the speed and stamina required make it intermediate.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard
AmpVox AC30
PickupsHumbucker (likely Gibson PAF-style, stock Les Paul pickups)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb2
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS808)
Notes
Studio recording, 1989. Mike Campbell used a Gibson Les Paul Standard into a Vox AC30 for the main riff. Gear confirmed for this song and era by Premier Guitar and Equipboard. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio recording.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchycrunchy, harmonically richarticulate attackslightly compressedfocused midrangeclassic British amp chimepresent but not harsh top endfull-bodied low enddynamic responsedistinct note separation
Difficulty
The riff requires fast, steady alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise timing to maintain clarity at a brisk tempo. While not technically advanced, the speed and stamina required make it intermediate.
More Tom Petty tones
- Free Fallin' · riff
- I Won't Back Down · riff
- Love Is a Long Road · solo
- Love Is a Long Road · riff
- Runnin' Down a Dream · clean
- Runnin' Down a Dream · riff
- You Wreck Me · riff