ToneAdapt

Loading...

Back to Community

Riff Tone

American Girl

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster (likely 1950s Broadcaster, as confirmed by Mike Campbell for 'American Girl' studio recording)
AmpFender Blackface Princeton (1964) and 1954 Fender Tweed Deluxe (run together in studio)

Amp Settings

gain5
bass5

Create an account to see all tone details

Create Free Account

Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1976 for debut album. Mike Campbell has confirmed use of his original Broadcaster and the Princeton/Tweed Deluxe amp pairing for 'American Girl' riff. No evidence of additional guitars or amps for this section. No evidence of pedals used for distortion/overdrive on the original recording; amp overdrive only.

Tone Character(10)
bright and janglytight and percussiveslightly gritty edge-of-breakuparticulate single-coil clarityopen and ringingdynamic pick attackpunchy upper midsvintage amp breakupno heavy saturationclassic American rock chime

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, consistent alternate picking and precise timing to maintain the song's driving energy, as well as clean open-string drone technique. While not technically advanced, the speed and stamina required make it intermediate.

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account