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Riff Tone

Best of Both Worlds

Van Halen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarErnie Ball Music Man EVH Signature (1986-1991, used on 5150 and OU812 albums)

AmpPeavey 5150 head (studio recording, 1986/1987 era for 5150/OU812 sessions)

PickupsDiMarzio custom-wound humbuckers (bridge and neck, direct-mounted, high output)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986 (OU812 sessions, released 1988). Eddie used his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar with custom DiMarzio humbuckers and the Peavey 5150 amp for the main riff. No pedal overdrive/distortion, just amp gain. Effects are minimal in the riff section; flanger and phaser are not present in the riff, only in solos or select songs. No chorus or delay on the riff. Pickup selector set to bridge. Settings are for studio, not live.

Tone Character(10)

tight palm-muted chugsaggressive bridge pickup attackBritish-voiced crunchhigh-output humbucker claritysaturated but articulatepercussive rhythmchunky low endcutting upper midsminimal ambiencefocused, punchy riff tone

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, precise right-hand technique, and accurate timing to capture the percussive, driving feel of the original recording. While not technically virtuosic, the groove and articulation demand intermediate to advanced rhythm skills.

Sources

Does anyone know Eddie Van Halen's settings for this Amp? - Reddit Eddie Van Halen's Guitar Gear, Frankenstrat & Pedalboard

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Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarErnie Ball Music Man EVH Signature (1986-1991, used on 5150 and OU812 albums)

AmpPeavey 5150 head (studio recording, 1986/1987 era for 5150/OU812 sessions)

PickupsDiMarzio custom-wound humbuckers (bridge and neck, direct-mounted, high output)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Sources

Does anyone know Eddie Van Halen's settings for this Amp? - Reddit Eddie Van Halen's Guitar Gear, Frankenstrat & Pedalboard

Notes

Studio recording, 1986 (OU812 sessions, released 1988). Eddie used his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar with custom DiMarzio humbuckers and the Peavey 5150 amp for the main riff. No pedal overdrive/distortion, just amp gain. Effects are minimal in the riff section; flanger and phaser are not present in the riff, only in solos or select songs. No chorus or delay on the riff. Pickup selector set to bridge. Settings are for studio, not live.

Tone Character(10)

tight palm-muted chugsaggressive bridge pickup attackBritish-voiced crunchhigh-output humbucker claritysaturated but articulatepercussive rhythmchunky low endcutting upper midsminimal ambiencefocused, punchy riff tone

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, precise right-hand technique, and accurate timing to capture the percussive, driving feel of the original recording. While not technically virtuosic, the groove and articulation demand intermediate to advanced rhythm skills.

Create Free Account

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