How to Dial In "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" by Don Felder - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture (1981). Heavy Metal: Music from the Motion Picture is the 1981 soundtrack to the animated film Heavy Metal. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s through a Marshall JCM800 2203, a classic hard-rock pairing, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the bridge pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" Tone
What guitar did Don Felder use on "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)"?
The guitar on "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" (released 1981) isn't documented; the Gibson Les Paul Standard '60s above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)" by Don Felder are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.