Riff Tone

Season of the Witch

Donovan

Guitarrock1960s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster (exact model unknown, likely mid-60s, as used by session guitarist on recording)

AmpFender Twin Reverb (blackface era, likely studio standard for 1966 UK/US pop/rock sessions)

PickupsSingle-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups, mid-60s)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1966. No direct evidence of pedals or effects other than possible amp reverb. Donovan preferred acoustic, but the riff section is electric and likely played by a session guitarist (possibly Jimmy Page or another UK session player). No evidence of live rig or alternate gear for this song/section.

Tone Character(10)

slightly gritty edge-of-breakupwarm and round low endclear single-coil articulationsubtle amp reverbdynamic and touch-sensitiveorganic, open soundnot compressed or heavily processedclassic 60s British/US pop-rock tonemild breakup, not fully cleanno heavy distortion or fuzz

Difficulty

The riff is rhythmically straightforward but requires dynamic control to maintain the subtle breakup and groove, with some syncopation and feel sensitivity.

Sources

Donovan - Equipboard Donovan - Season Of The Witch (Tab) - Ultimate-Guitar.Com “My producer Mickie Most said, ‘We can’t let a wild boy like Hendrix in there. We have to control the song, Don’”: ’60s icon Donovan tells the story of the “heavy metal folk” song that connects him to Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles | MusicRadar

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