Riff Tone
AIn't Talkin' 'Bout Love (Live at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT, 8/27/1986) [2026 Remaster]
Van Halen
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarSteinberger GL2T
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 (modded, likely with dummy load and variac, as per EVH's live rig in 1986)
PickupsEMG active humbuckers (likely 81/85 set, as per Steinberger GL2T spec for mid-80s)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5
mid6
treble5.5
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
phaserMXR MXR Phase 90
delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-3
Notes
Live performance, 1986. Guitar is confirmed from video evidence for this tour. Amp is based on typical EVH live rig for this era, with variac and dummy load for power attenuation. Pedals and effects chain based on live usage and audible effects in the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
cranked Marshall crunchtight palm-muted attackbright and articulate highsslapback echo for depthmodulated phase swirlaggressive bridge pickup bitedynamic pick responseminimal ambience/reverbclassic 'brown sound' warmthpercussive and punchy rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires precise palm muting, fast picking, and dynamic control to capture the percussive, articulate feel of the original. While not technically extreme, the combination of speed, muting, and phrasing makes it challenging for intermediate players.
Sources
This tone has been researched 4 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarSteinberger GL2T
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 (modded, likely with dummy load and variac, as per EVH's live rig in 1986)
PickupsEMG active humbuckers (likely 81/85 set, as per Steinberger GL2T spec for mid-80s)
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass5
mid6
treble5.5
reverb0.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
phaserMXR MXR Phase 90
delayMaestro Maestro Echoplex EP-3
This tone has been researched 4 times by the community
Notes
Live performance, 1986. Guitar is confirmed from video evidence for this tour. Amp is based on typical EVH live rig for this era, with variac and dummy load for power attenuation. Pedals and effects chain based on live usage and audible effects in the riff section.
Tone Character(10)
cranked Marshall crunchtight palm-muted attackbright and articulate highsslapback echo for depthmodulated phase swirlaggressive bridge pickup bitedynamic pick responseminimal ambience/reverbclassic 'brown sound' warmthpercussive and punchy rhythm
Difficulty
The riff requires precise palm muting, fast picking, and dynamic control to capture the percussive, articulate feel of the original. While not technically extreme, the combination of speed, muting, and phrasing makes it challenging for intermediate players.
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