Felderfans

Arjuna De S.: I would really appreciate if you could tell me what guitar effect pedals you used in the “Hotel California” lead solo and if you use any special effects while you play 12-string guitar. Thank you and regards.

No effects pedals on the Hotel California solo. Just my ’59 Les Paul into a Fender tweed mid 50′s Deluxe on 10. I recorded the acoustic 12-string with a microphone and installed a pickup in the “O” hole which was run into a Leslie (organ) cabinet and placed 2 mics on it (left & right) to make it stereo as the horn turns.

Adrian from Toronto: Don, any chance that you once owned a white Ibanez 2402 double neck 6 and 12 (1974) because the one I purchased in California a few years ago also has 2 output jacks. I’ve never seen any others like this as it is wired rather oddly. Thanks!

I’ve never owned an Ibanez double neck. Someone could have seen the logic in having two outputs as I did and wired it accordingly.

Stephen B.: Hi Don. I played with Joe W. in the 80′s. I am used to searing guitar, but I saw you play in ’95 and when you played the intro to “Victim of Love,” I was surprised as you blew my hair back with an incendiary tone from a Strat. What pickups do you use? Are they Lace Sensors and if so, what model?

Those are Lace Sensor pickups but wired with only a single volume pot left in the circuit. All other circuitry has been removed. No tone pots etc., only pickups, pickup selector switch and volume.

Jake McD.: Your 1959 Les Paul Standard with the beautiful Heritage Cherry Sunburst is the MOST BEAUTIFUL instrument I have ever seen. I’m curious where that beauty is today and how often you play it. Thanks, Mr. Felder, for inspiring me.

Thank you for your kind words! My original 1959 Les Paul is safely stored away in a high security location. I still play it quite often and used it on my latest CD “Road To Forever.” I’ve used it on nearly every record I’ve made but no longer take it on the road.

Don, being that you are my favorite guitarist I want a tone similar to yours…I’m looking for a new amp and I’m really unsure what kind of amp I want. I understand that now you use a Fender reverb deluxe. Do you think that is a good amp for me being that I play classic rock? – Evan

The Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 Reissue is a very workable amp. You should play it yourself and determine if it fits your style and tone.
I’ve found often that it’s NOT the amp or the guitar that someone uses but the hands that are playing it and what they are playing that makes it sound great or not. Tone for amps is like picking what kind of car you drive. How much you can afford, how practical (or not) you are, mileage, style, function etc. It’s a very personal choice and you and only YOU should make that decision. Good luck!

Don’s comments last updated: 06 Sep 14

Don is featured in the October 2014 digital edition of Vintage Guitar magazine. Vintage Guitar is offering a free digital download of the issue for desktop, iTunes, Android and Amazon Kindle users.

Don quick references his favorite amps and pedals at Gearphoria.com

Don shares his live show amp and guitar setup in Guitar and Bass (11/2013)

Don picks 10 essential guitar albums via Music Radar. (3/2014)

Hotel California is listed as one of the essential guitar tunes played with a capo. Don explains how it came to that. (3/2014)

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