Felderfans

Dusan wrote in asking if Don remembers which type of acoustic guitars he and the other Eagles band members used on recordings.

We used many different acoustic guitars on the records. Bernie Leadon had some excellent acoustic guitars and I used mostly my 1965 Martin D-35. Once Bernie left the band my D-35 became the “GO TO” acoustic when we needed one.

Toni wanted to know if Glenn plays anything on the original version of Hotel California or if he’s just singing background vocals.

I really can’t recall what he played but it would have been either a reggae part (which I think Joe replaced) or another acoustic (which Glenn played on stage.)

“There are harmonized (lead) guitars in One Of These Nights (throughout the song) and Too Many Hands (choruses). Who played them? Thanks again,” – Toni

In those days Glenn and I played most of the electric harmony guitar parts.

“Don, I’ve heard some rumors that you played a BC Rich Seagull back in the day – is that true? God bless you and greets from Croatia,” – Luca

I was given a BC Rich Seagull back in the early 70′s. One of my good friends who was very poor but a good player needed an electric guitar so I gave him my BC Rich. It was blue and played great, but I had enough guitars and he didn’t!

“Don, first of all, thanks for many years of enjoyment. On the live recording of Hotel California during the solo, you slid your pick down the strings. Then you hit an “A” chord. That has to be the best tone I’ve ever heard! Please confirm that was a Marshall. My friends don’t think so, but I don’t think a tweed sounds like that. Thanks again,” – Ken S.

I really can’t recall exactly what amp I used in the video. I had been using either a Fender Tweed Deluxe or a Fender Black Face Deluxe (like the reissues they make today) with a Vox Silver Bell speaker. I (also) used a 50 watt Marshall and a 4×12 slant cabinet with 2 12′ speaker taken out for a while.

“On your high gain songs on your records what do you keep the pre-gain and low settings on? Come to Atlanta,” – Scott

On my old recordings I never used a pre-gain amp. Mostly I used an old Fender Tweed Deluxe amp and maybe a chorus pedal or Echoplex. I used one of the new Vox AC 30′s in the studio on my new CD and loved it.

Larry P: Hi Don. There is a picture of you and your daughter playing a live show. What is the model of Fender amp (next to the Marshall amp) you are using? Is there anything special about that particular model?

Don: “This is a Fender Vibrolux Re-Issue with two 10-inch speakers. I had used one in the UK (which is 220V instead of 110V) and it was amazing. The US versions are good but not as “hot” as the UK version.

Phil P.: What year is your old Fender Tweed Deluxe? If you’re not sure, can you tell me if it’s early, mid or late 50′s? I also understand that you play(ed) Blackface Deluxes. Were these reverb or non-reverb (and do you have a preference?) Do you still play these amps, or do you play re-issues of them? Thank you so much for yor patience and kindness with your guitar fans.

Don “I used and still use Fender Tweed Deluxe amps. My favorite one that I used on “Hotel California” and “One of These Nights” is a mid-50′s model. I also played a Blackface Deluxe (non-reverb) with a Vox Silver bell speaker in it.On the road I now use a Blackface Deluxe Reverb (re-issue) as they are very easy to find and can take a beating and keep on ticking.

Paul H.: Hello Don. I am in a 10-year-old Eagles tribute band called Another Tequila Sunrise. “Those Shoes” came out and the talk box parts seem to be so hard to replicate… Did you and Joe [Walsh] do them together, or were the parts done by Joe and overdubbed? Any hints on achieving this sound? Thanks.

Don: “Joe and I played these talk box parts live. As a matter of fact the entire track with exception of the vocals was recorded live with the entire band.My best suggestion for sound is get a small amp and a Frampton Talkbox and tune the gain up a lot so you get MAX sustain but not so loud to hurt yourself. That tone is all about sustain and not volume.