Riff Tone

Why Can't This Be Love

Van Halen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarKramer 5150 (custom-built, red with white/black stripes, maple neck, Floyd Rose tremolo)

AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 (1968 Plexi, modded, into single 4x12 Marshall cab, miked with Shure SM57/SM58)

PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-5 Custom humbucker (bridge position, direct-mounted)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1986. Guitar and amp confirmed for '5150' album sessions. No evidence of pedal use for riff section; Eventide H949 Harmonizer used for stereo detune/chorus effect in studio mix. Synths (Oberheim OB-8) provide main riff, but guitar doubles riff in choruses and bridge. No evidence of live/touring rig or other guitars for this part.

Tone Character(10)

tight and articulateslightly compressedbright upper midspunchy attackclear note separationmodest gainpolished 80s productionstereo width from detune effectdynamic picking responsenot overly thick or fuzzy

Difficulty

The riff requires tight timing and articulation to lock with the synth, but uses moderate chord shapes and no advanced lead techniques.

Sources

The story of Van Halen’s 5150 | Guitar World Eddie Van Halen goes deep on the playing and tone secrets behind 10 iconic Van Halen tracks | Guitar World Engineer Breaks Down Van Halen's 'Why Can't This Be Love'

Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear

Create Free Account