Riff Tone

Humans Being

Van Halen

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarPeavey Wolfgang (likely Standard or Special, maple top, maple neck, Floyd Rose tremolo, factory humbucker pickups)

AmpPeavey 5150 head (original block letter, 1996 studio recording)

PickupsPeavey Wolfgang bridge humbucker (custom-wound, high output, Alnico II or V)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid6

treble6.5

reverb1.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

flangerMXR MXR Flanger (EVH or M-117)

Notes

Studio recording, 1996. Eddie Van Halen used the Peavey Wolfgang and Peavey 5150 amp for the 'Humans Being' sessions. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this section. No evidence of preamp or boost pedals in front of amp; all gain from amp. Effects are added via pedals and rack units, not amp built-ins.

Tone Character(10)

tight, saturated rhythm crunchaggressive, percussive attackarticulate pick definitionpunchy, focused midshigh-output bridge humbucker bitemodern, compressed distortionclear note separation under gainminimal ambient reverbdense, harmonically rich overdrivefast palm-muted chugs

Difficulty

The riff requires fast, aggressive alternate picking with tight palm muting and precise rhythm, as well as control over string noise and muting under high gain. The syncopated patterns and speed make it challenging for most players.