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Riff Tone
Love Is a Long Road
Tom Petty
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (Mike Campbell, studio recording)
AmpFender Princeton Reverb (likely studio amp, era-correct, supported by multiple sources)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
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Notes
Studio recording, 1989 (Full Moon Fever sessions). Mike Campbell is known to have used a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Fender Princeton Reverb for the riff section in the studio. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
crunchy and dynamictight, punchy rhythmarticulate pick attackwarm but present midsslight amp reverb depthedge-of-breakup driveclassic rock crunchclear note separationnot overly saturatedresponsive to picking dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires solid rhythm skills and dynamic control, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to most intermediate players.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (Mike Campbell, studio recording)
AmpFender Princeton Reverb (likely studio amp, era-correct, supported by multiple sources)
Amp Settings
gain4.5
bass5.5
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1989 (Full Moon Fever sessions). Mike Campbell is known to have used a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Fender Princeton Reverb for the riff section in the studio. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the original recording.
Tone Character(10)
crunchy and dynamictight, punchy rhythmarticulate pick attackwarm but present midsslight amp reverb depthedge-of-breakup driveclassic rock crunchclear note separationnot overly saturatedresponsive to picking dynamics
Difficulty
The riff requires solid rhythm skills and dynamic control, but uses straightforward chord shapes and moderate tempo, making it accessible to most intermediate players.