Don Felder & Don Henley & Glenn Frey – Hotel California

This Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck Electric Guitar is infamous for Don's use in "Hotel California". It has been used live, used practically everywhere, in Eagles's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and in concerts with the Eagles and Felder himself.

Don Felder discusses his 1959 Les Paul in this interview, saying, "I used a 59 Les Paul with a Fender tweed deluxe amp. I also had an old echoplex and a boss chorus unit in line."

But in this Gibson article, more details are revealed about his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. "Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder is closely associated with two Gibson guitars in particular, his 1959 Les Paul Standard, and his EDS-1275 - the “Hotel California” guitar. Both instruments have been recreated by Gibson as signature Don Felder guitars. In an interview with Guitar World, Felder talked about working closely with Gibson on artist proofs to get the instruments just right: “The pickups that were in my original ’59 had an unbelievably hot output. The first stab they sent me for the ’59 replica was close, but there were slightly different tonal qualities. So after a couple of attempts, they completely nailed it. All in all, I had about five different artist proofs of each guitar.”"

Also, Gibson attaches the video of a Guitar World's guitar lesson of "Hotel California", which was done with his 1959 Les Paul Standard.

"Of all the guitars in my collection that I love the most, it’s got to be a ’59 Les Paul sunburst. I just loved that guitar when I first picked it up, and I still have it today. As a matter of fact, it’s the one I used on “Hotel California” and many Eagles records, and I still record with it. I don’t tour with it anymore, because I’m afraid it’ll either be lost or damaged or stolen. But I do still love the feel of that guitar." - Roland interview.

Don Felder has used a Takamine CP-132SC guitar, as he says in this Q & A:

"'My question involves the classical guitar you used during the “Hell Freezes Over” tour and the song “Hotel California.” I’m curious to know the make of the guitar and what strings you used for it. If you recommend any brand of strings for a classical, that would be great help too.' 'Sarah, it was a Takamine with CP-132 SC Nylon strings. As far as strings for a classical go, I’d recommend SAVAREZ.'"

On Don Felder's website, he confirms his use of Fulltone's OCD overdrive pedal in this Q & A:

"'What specific pedals do you use for the effects on One of These Nights and Hotel California?' 'For 'Hotel' on stage I use a Boss stereo chorus, Boss echo and an OCD overdrive pedal on the six string neck. I use a boss echo and a leslie for the 12 string neck. The guitar is custom-wired with two output jacks so that when I switch necks it switches outputs to different amps.'"

For Guitar World's interview and lesson how to play "Hotel California" correctly, Felder used the Dunlop Trigger capo.

"Like on “Hearts on Fire,” I used this one little tweed Champ that I also used on the Eagles’ “Victim of Love.” It’s a big-sounding song, but the setup is just a Tele through that little Champ."

Takamine featured this guitar in an article regarding the recording of Hotel California. He used a pre-lawsuit era F400 S (for solid top) which is often confused with a Martin. He used a DeArmond Sound-hole pickup.

[Source: https://www.takamine.com/news?n_id=1048]