Riff Tone

Panama

Van Halen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarKramer 5150 (Frankenstrat-style, custom build by Eddie Van Halen)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (run through a Variac, voltage lowered to ~90V)

PickupsSeymour Duncan Custom Shop humbucker (PAF-style, bridge position, wax-potted, high output)

Amp Settings

gain8.5

bass5

mid7

treble7.5

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

boostEchoplex Echoplex EP-3 Tape Echo (used as preamp/boost, not for audible delay)

phaserMXR MXR Phase 90

flangerMXR MXR Flanger (model likely MXR M-117)

Notes

Studio recording, 1983-1984, 1984 album sessions. Kramer 5150/Frankenstrat with single bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose tremolo. Amp is a Marshall Super Lead 1959 run through a Variac. No distortion/overdrive pedals; all gain from amp. Echoplex EP-3 tape echo used as a subtle preamp/boost. MXR Phase 90 and MXR Flanger used for modulation, but flanger is not prominent in the main riff. Effects are mostly subtle except for the occasional flanger in fills. No chorus or octave pedal on this track.

Tone Character(10)

saturated British crunchtight palm-muted chugsharmonic-rich distortionaggressive attacksinging sustainpercussive rhythmcutting upper midswarm yet bitingclassic 'brown sound'dynamic pick response

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, fast palm muting, syncopated rhythm, and precise use of harmonics, making it challenging for intermediate players and demanding strong right-hand technique and timing.

Sources

Does anyone know Eddie Van Halen's settings for this Amp? - Reddit Eddie Van Halen's Guitar Gear, Frankenstrat & Pedalboard | Equipboard Eddie Van Halen's guitar gear: get the tone of the hard-rock icon | Guitar World

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