rhythm guitar from “i won't back down” by tom petty | ToneDB
i won't back down
tom petty
rhythm guitar
AI generatedv1.0
Tone Profile
A clean, slightly overdriven rhythm guitar sound with a warm, present character. It has a slight twang and bite, indicative of a vintage amplifier.
Gear
- Rickenbacker 660/12instrument
- Reverb$3249Sweetwater
- Vox AC30amp
- ReverbSweetwater
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
Mike Campbell used a Rickenbacker 660/12 twelve-string guitar for the rhythm guitar parts on "I Won't Back Down," which contributes to the song's characteristic jangly, full sound. The recording was produced by Jeff Lynne and engineered by Bill Bottrell at Rumbo Recorders in Los Angeles. The clean but slightly overdriven tone suggests the use of a Vox AC30 amplifier, known for its chimey character and harmonic richness when pushed to the edge of breakup.
Production Credits
Producer: Jeff Lynne
Engineer: Bill Bottrell
Recorded at: Rumbo Recorders, Los Angeles
Signal Chain
Instrument: Rickenbacker 660/12
Amp: Vox AC30
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Rickenbacker or similar guitar with bright pickups.
- Use a Vox AC30 amp model, or set a tube amp for edge-of-breakup clean tone.
- Use chorus to thicken the sound.
Original Gear
- Rickenbacker 660/12(guitar)
- Vox AC30(amp)
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Rickenbacker 660/12
Provides the jangly 12-string sound with bright pickups at a more accessible price point than vintage Rickenbackers
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Vox AC30
Current production version of the classic AC30 with the same chimey character and edge-of-breakup tone
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Vox AC30
While based on Fender amps, can achieve similar clean-to-slightly-driven tones with proper EQ and overdrive modeling
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Rickenbacker 660/12
Can thicken a standard 6-string guitar tone to approximate some of the fullness of a 12-string
ReverbSweetwaterAlternative to: Vox AC30
Smaller, more affordable version with similar Vox chime and EL84 tube character as the AC30
ReverbSweetwaterFrequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!