Take It Easy

The recording

Recorded in February 1972 at Olympic Studios in London with producer Glyn Johns, "Take It Easy" features Bernie Leadon's lead lines on a clean Fender Telecaster routed through a Fender Deluxe Reverb. The guitar sits above Glenn Frey's acoustic rhythm and Leadon's banjo, with the amp set clean and low gain to preserve the instrument’s natural twang and spring‑reverb shimmer.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1970s Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Bernie Leadon's lead parts were recorded on a clean Fender Telecaster, delivering the bright, twangy voice that sits above the acoustic rhythm on the track.

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb

Amp

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Still made · for the 1970s Fender Telecaster

$400 to $500

Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

Reissue · for the Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb

$1,200 to $1,500

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on the Telecaster for the bright lead tone.
2. 2.Keep the amp gain low and the volume moderate to stay in the clean region.
3. 3.Play with a light attack and let the notes ring, using slight palm‑muting on rhythm chords for definition.
4. 4.Add a touch of spring reverb to emulate the studio ambience.