Tone library / Eagles / Hotel California

Hotel California amp settings — Hiwatt Leeds 25r

The Eagles guitar tone for “Hotel California”, dialed in for a Hiwatt Leeds 25r with a Gibson SG Standard 61. Studio version, Hotel California album (1976) — Don Felder's outro solo tone

Original rig

1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard (PAF humbuckers) → Fender Tweed Deluxe (narrow panel, cranked) → Maestro Echoplex

Warm, singing lead tone with edge-of-breakup compression and tape-delay swell

Amp settings — Hiwatt Leeds 25r

CHANNELNormalBRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	5
Mid	6
Treble	5
Presence	5
Reverb	3
Master	7

Don’t have a Hiwatt Leeds 25r? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Analog Delay (tape-style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. An Echoplex-style tape delay (MXR Carbon Copy, Boss DM-2W, or TC Electronic Echobrain) is essential for the swelling repeat on held notes. Without it you lose 30% of the tone's magic.

Time 4 · Feedback 3 · Mix 4

Why these settings

The Hiwatt Leeds has a tighter, more articulate British voicing vs the original spongy Fender Tweed — it won't sag as sweetly. Compensate by backing treble down 1 point from a Fender setting (5 vs 6) and pushing mids slightly (+1) to restore the fat midrange warmth. Your SG's neck humbucker is hotter than Felder's '59 PAF, so gain stays moderate at 6 rather than cranking it. Roll tone knob to 7 to tame the SG's inherent bite.

PRO TIPFelder's solo breathes because he rides his guitar's volume knob — swelling into notes for the Echoplex to bloom. Practice backing off to 7 before a phrase, then rolling to 10 as you sustain; the Hiwatt's touch-sensitivity will reward this dynamic control.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Hiwatt Leeds 25r. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.