Solo Tone
Guitar Solo (Live at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT, 8/27/1986) [2026 Remaster]
Van Halen
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarKramer Baretta (custom, 1986 tour spec, single humbucker, Floyd Rose)
AmpPeavey 5150 (prototype, early version, 100-watt head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinets (Celestion G12M speakers)
PickupsSeymour Duncan Custom Shop '78 (custom-wound humbucker, bridge position)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
phaserMXR MXR Phase 90
flangerMXR MXR Flanger (likely MXR M-117 Flanger)
delayRoland Delay pedal (likely Roland SDE-3000 or similar digital delay)
Notes
Live performance, 1986 5150 tour, New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This is the exact gear Eddie Van Halen used for the solo section in this live show, as documented in multiple rig rundowns and video evidence. No evidence of studio overdubs; signal chain is classic 5150-era live rig.
Tone Character(10)
explosive high-gainsinging sustaintight, percussive attackharmonic-rich saturationaggressive pick attackliquid legato runsdistinctive flanger sweepcrisp, articulate highsthick, mid-forward presenceechoed repeats from delay
Difficulty
This solo is considered expert level due to its high speed, advanced tapping and picking techniques, and the need for precise control of effects and dynamics throughout the performance.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarKramer Baretta (custom, 1986 tour spec, single humbucker, Floyd Rose)
AmpPeavey 5150 (prototype, early version, 100-watt head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinets (Celestion G12M speakers)
PickupsSeymour Duncan Custom Shop '78 (custom-wound humbucker, bridge position)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
mid6
treble7
reverb2
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
phaserMXR MXR Phase 90
flangerMXR MXR Flanger (likely MXR M-117 Flanger)
delayRoland Delay pedal (likely Roland SDE-3000 or similar digital delay)
Sources
Notes
Live performance, 1986 5150 tour, New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This is the exact gear Eddie Van Halen used for the solo section in this live show, as documented in multiple rig rundowns and video evidence. No evidence of studio overdubs; signal chain is classic 5150-era live rig.
Tone Character(10)
explosive high-gainsinging sustaintight, percussive attackharmonic-rich saturationaggressive pick attackliquid legato runsdistinctive flanger sweepcrisp, articulate highsthick, mid-forward presenceechoed repeats from delay
Difficulty
This solo is considered expert level due to its high speed, advanced tapping and picking techniques, and the need for precise control of effects and dynamics throughout the performance.
More Van Halen tones
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- Panama · riff
- Unchained · riff
- Eruption · solo
- Eruption · riff
- You Really Got Me · riff
- Runnin' with the Devil · riff
- Hot for Teacher · riff
- "5150" · riff
- Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love · solo