Riff Tone
Victim of Love
Eagles
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Don Felder Custom Gold Stratocaster, likely 1970s build)
AmpFender Tweed Champ (5F1, late 1950s vintage, 8" speaker)
PickupsFender single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain4
bass6.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, Hotel California album sessions, 1976. Felder states in multiple interviews and gear rundowns that the riff was tracked with a Stratocaster into a Tweed Champ with no pedals except possibly an echo unit. No evidence of live/tour gear or other guitars for this section.
Tone Character(10)
molten fuzzy toneboxy and mid-forwardbright and articulatetight and percussiveslightly compressed attackhonky upper midsbig-sounding despite small ampclassic rock crunchpushed clean with edgearticulate rhythm clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its tight, punchy rhythm, precise palm muting, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and crunch. While not technically advanced, the feel and articulation are critical for authenticity.
Sources
Don Felder, Eagles Guitarist Gear | EquipboardDon Felder, Eagles Guitarist GearThe 'Eagles' gear in the 70's? | Page 2 | Guitar ForumInterview: Don Felder - Airborne Again - Premier GuitarThe Eagles are the undisputed masters of harmony lines blending country and rock – this video masterclass unpacks their signature guitar style | Guitar World
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Original Gear
GuitarFender Stratocaster (Don Felder Custom Gold Stratocaster, likely 1970s build)
AmpFender Tweed Champ (5F1, late 1950s vintage, 8" speaker)
PickupsFender single-coil pickups
Amp Settings
gain4
bass6.5
mid6.5
treble6.5
reverb3
presence5
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Sources
Don Felder, Eagles Guitarist Gear | EquipboardDon Felder, Eagles Guitarist GearThe 'Eagles' gear in the 70's? | Page 2 | Guitar ForumInterview: Don Felder - Airborne Again - Premier GuitarThe Eagles are the undisputed masters of harmony lines blending country and rock – this video masterclass unpacks their signature guitar style | Guitar World
Notes
Studio recording, Hotel California album sessions, 1976. Felder states in multiple interviews and gear rundowns that the riff was tracked with a Stratocaster into a Tweed Champ with no pedals except possibly an echo unit. No evidence of live/tour gear or other guitars for this section.
Tone Character(10)
molten fuzzy toneboxy and mid-forwardbright and articulatetight and percussiveslightly compressed attackhonky upper midsbig-sounding despite small ampclassic rock crunchpushed clean with edgearticulate rhythm clarity
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate skill due to its tight, punchy rhythm, precise palm muting, and dynamic control to maintain clarity and crunch. While not technically advanced, the feel and articulation are critical for authenticity.
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