EVH tone

Rock · 08-22-2006, 06:28 PM

I want to achieve EVH tone.

What Marshall would you recommend me if I do not want to spend a fortune?

I use a guitar with a Seymour Duncan EVH pickup on the bridge.

Thanks,

Rock.

Hell_Tanner · 08-23-2006, 09:20 AM

I achieve a very satisfying brown sound with my JCM800 2203, I bought it used for less than $1170, cab included.

You'll need something like an OD pedal to boost it though (Boss OD-1, SD-1, Ibanez TubeScreamer, Maxon OD-808 and the likes....)

Just depend on how much you really want to spend on an amp.

KM1959 · 08-23-2006, 02:57 PM

What do you consider a "small fortune"? I have a '72 Super Lead and while not cheap, does the EVH thing very well. It does however, require an attenuator (I use a HotPlate) because these things are frighteningly LOUD! No OD pedal is required though. You might want to do a web search though, there are thousands of responses to this question.

Guv'nor · 08-23-2006, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KM1959

...You might want to do a web search though, there are thousands of responses to this question.

yeah.... and a lot of shit as what I call "the variac tale"

jerseydrew · 08-23-2006, 08:22 PM

My Splawn modded Marshall 1987 head definitely does the VH Brown Sound. Sadly I sold it.

Ralle 500 · 08-31-2006, 04:33 PM

Here's something maybe worth listening to... My superlead -68... A couple of EVH clips with me playing... I have done several recordings since these clips... but I haven't had the time to put'em up... so far...
BTW... this is my first visit here... looks to be a cool site :wink:

Guv'nor · 08-31-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralle 500

Here's something maybe worth listening to... My superlead -68... A couple of EVH clips with me playing... I have done several recordings since these clips... but I haven't had the time to put'em up... so far...
BTW... this is my first visit here... looks to be a cool site :wink:

Sounds very cool....

Having a look in your site I have found your gear...

One thing is clear...... You're NOT married or she never goes there

Hell_Tanner · 08-31-2006, 05:49 PM

I love that guitar!

I've built one that looks a bit like yours, a hidden tribute to EVH of course.

And those samples...WOW!!! Tell us your secret!

superleadfixer · 09-05-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock

I want to achieve EVH tone.

What Marshall would you recommend me if I do not want to spend a fortune?

I use a guitar with a Seymour Duncan EVH pickup on the bridge.

Thanks,

Rock.

Edward's amp on the first album was a 12series Super Lead (#12301), early 1968 approx., but you'll pay big bucks for an amp like that and its over 35 year old, you could get yourseft the same basic deal with a cloned/replica 1959 amp for much cheaper

Guv'nor · 09-06-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superleadfixer

you could get yourseft the same basic deal with a cloned/replica 1959 amp for much cheaper

Any suggestion?

wonkka · 09-06-2006, 01:22 PM

Do a search on the other forum, starts with Plexi and ends with Palace. This topic has been a staple there for years with people that have actually seen and disected his amp and his rig. But in short you need: A second hand strat rear loaded with a PAF with a Fender TREM, not a Floyd, into a 67/68 1959 with laydown tranny and some cap changes going into a dummy load...not sure what he used here, a MXR Phase 90, Flange, and EQ, EP3 Echoplex, into several beat Marshall 4x12's with god only knows what speakers, Sunset Sound Studio 1.... I think, Don Landee, and of course Edwards hands, skill and mind. Ralle 500 has nailed it as have others with lesser gear. I think most of it is in the hands.

superleadfixer · 09-06-2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guv'nor

Quote:

Originally Posted by superleadfixer

you could get yourseft the same basic deal with a cloned/replica 1959 amp for much cheaper

Any suggestion?

With the proper transformers, Cerrem (Merren audio) makes the best irons for those years (for 1959), you will need one of his 1.5" Dagnall OT his laydown PT set on 460(B+), the 1968 circuit (12series ones with the caps all inside the chassis except the phase inverter one, affects the flux...) with real Philips caps (Mustard), Sylviana 12ax7WA for the pres, and those big bottle 6CA7 also from Sylviana, RFT 12ax7 is as good IMHO for pres and xf2 (Mullard for the power section also), Ralle uses JJ, so go figure :?

Speakers, a few G12H30 the real ones (55hz and 75hz), a few G12M20 or 25w....that will count for a good 25%+ of the tone...amp is the other 25%, the difference will be in your hand that is a 50% of the tone right there.....

Tom Holmes's PAF copy or a Pearly Gate, EVH from SD is all great...a PAF type P/U...

I could build a 12series type amp with EVH specs in.....

coldsteal2 · 09-22-2007, 01:57 PM

Robbin Crosby my old guitarist at the time in 1980 bought four stacks
from him Eddie after a tour (Ps thats a great time to by equipment by the
way! lots of touring bands will totaly sell half thier equipment aftet a tour for
dirt cheep). The amps were Plexis that had been rewired and had oversized
transformers, and added master volume and effects loops in back, some were
metal faces some plexi.

clutch71 · 09-26-2007, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralle 500

Here's something maybe worth listening to... My superlead -68... A couple of EVH clips with me playing... I have done several recordings since these clips... but I haven't had the time to put'em up... so far...
BTW... this is my first visit here... looks to be a cool site :wink:

What did you do to "remove" Eddie's track? I've been looking for a way to do that for practice.

kelly · 06-06-2008, 10:40 AM

Coldsteal, did you say Robin Crosby was YOUR old guitarist? Like RAT Robin Crosby?
KD

coldsteal2 · 06-06-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelly

Coldsteal, did you say Robin Crosby was YOUR old guitarist? Like RAT Robin Crosby?
KD

Yes, check out my myspace photos
played in three bands with him pre Ratt

Robbin in the upper left, im in the upper right, we were roomates
and band mates for three years starting in San Diego then we moved
to LA in 81, right after our last band split he joined up with Mickey Ratt
which later became Ratt
He was the best freind i ever had (RIP Cabber)

kelly · 06-06-2008, 10:57 AM

Right on dude!

Read your bio, You gotta a helluva resume.

Nice!

nice to meet ya!
Kelly

coldsteal2 · 06-06-2008, 11:20 AM

Just a regular guy

wkcchampion · 01-30-2010, 04:56 AM

I "resurrect" this old thread to share a thought I had yesterday.
A local Rock radio broadcast "runnin' with the devil" while I was coming back home, and I noticed the following.
First I thought it was my car audio system which was either broken or poor quality (hey it's a car radio) or teh broadcast was nto good enough, but going home I checked. I noticed that on the first Van Halen album, the rhythm guitar is almost completely panned on the left. On teh right, there are vocals and solos when present.

I'll do experiments in my DAW, but my sensation is that this influences the sound a lot. By leaving a small part (let's say 10%) on the right channel, an unique phasing effect is created, therefore giving the sound that very particular trebly edge.
Expert audio engineers know that just by changing the stereo image, the sound changes radically.

Let's hear yours.

ken361 · 01-30-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldsteal2

Robbin Crosby my old guitarist at the time in 1980 bought four stacks
from him Eddie after a tour (Ps thats a great time to by equipment by the
way! lots of touring bands will totaly sell half thier equipment aftet a tour for
dirt cheep). The amps were Plexis that had been rewired and had oversized
transformers, and added master volume and effects loops in back, some were
metal faces some plexi.

of Ratt? Oh i see yeah you knew him, good guitar player R.I.P

LPMarshall hack · 01-30-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldsteal2

Just a regular guy

Just curious...what 900 did you use?

Wilder Amplification · 01-30-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkcchampion

I "resurrect" this old thread to share a thought I had yesterday.
A local Rock radio broadcast "runnin' with the devil" while I was coming back home, and I noticed the following.
First I thought it was my car audio system which was either broken or poor quality (hey it's a car radio) or teh broadcast was nto good enough, but going home I checked. I noticed that on the first Van Halen album, the rhythm guitar is almost completely panned on the left. On teh right, there are vocals and solos when present.

I'll do experiments in my DAW, but my sensation is that this influences the sound a lot. By leaving a small part (let's say 10%) on the right channel, an unique phasing effect is created, therefore giving the sound that very particular trebly edge.
Expert audio engineers know that just by changing the stereo image, the sound changes radically.

Let's hear yours.

So does this mean you have to position your amp on one side of the room/stage to get EVH's tone?

wkcchampion · 01-30-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilder Amplification

So does this mean you have to position your amp on one side of the room/stage to get EVH's tone?

I dididn't exepct such a lame answer by you

No, of course it means to mix almost every track of the rhythm guitar on one channel, leaving just a little on the other. It MAY be a contributing factor. I'll do experiments, it's interesting.

rjohns1 · 01-30-2010, 02:29 PM

His tone on the album is not a good representation of how his amp sounded. I have several quality bootlegs from 77-78, and his tone is more mellow than the album on those. It sounds just like a plexi turned up. A lot of that album's tone was the magic of Don Landee with some eq's, plate reverb, and several mikes in the room. Edwards tone is overly bright on the album, and he has said in interviews that it was too bright for him, he likes it darker. It' s amazing, the guy who made that famous sound doesn't even like it, yet all of us chase it.

rjohns1 · 01-30-2010, 02:32 PM

The sound on the right channel is a room mic, approximately 10-20 feet away from the amp, with a plate reverb on it. At least that was what Don Landee said it was in some old article I read. but yeah, the sound is made to sound huge with that trick, and it definitely changes it.

wkcchampion · 01-30-2010, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjohns1

The sound on the right channel is a room mic, approximately 10-20 feet away from the amp, with a plate reverb on it. At least that was what Don Landee said it was in some old article I read. but yeah, the sound is made to sound huge with that trick, and it definitely changes it.

Yup there was something I was thinking about. Actually, Landee has the merit for the sound, not Eddie. Eddie is in fact too stupid and knows NOTHING of electronics... see what mess he did to his guitar

I also have to say that I don't like that sound at all, he's too cutting, too dirty and confused. But it's interesting too see how those genius engineers create sounds that make history like this.

Apart from the supposingly Variac'd Plexi, what cabinet did he use? And what mikes? A question that will probably never have the true answer....

I think that Eddie used a standard (nno Variac'd) Plexi live, as high voltage from the Variac may lead the amp to blow in any instant and obviously an amp may run for hours live...

And finally: was the Variac used to run the Plexi at higher or lower voltage? Iv'e read both in different articles. I think that "low" is the answer, starving the tubes delivers more gain... or not? I'll never try it of course....

core · 01-30-2010, 11:47 PM

Don't know how much you want to spend but David Bray does amazing amp mods and nails early VH sound. Check out all his clips.

David Bray Amps

ant_riv · 01-31-2010, 04:28 AM

wkchampion, Variacs are a very touchy topic with some people.

re: Use of the Variac. I don't know how Eddie used his Variac, as he has been known to "exaggerate" the truth - liberally sometimes - as to his gear. He used to say he boosted the Variac above 120v. This will make your amp run hotter, and probably with more gain until it catches fire or something worse. If you are lucky, you will just fry your OT and ....

I used a Variac with a 2203 and 2204 plugged into the same one at the same time for about four straight years in the early '80s. I reduced the voltage to just above where the on/off lights would stop working. (The amp would still work when there was not enough voltage to light the lamps.) I had as much crunch as those amps would put out, at manageable volume levels. Also, reduced power tube consumption!

I suspect that if Eddie used a Variac with his amp, this would have been how.

Maybe Jon will chime in on this topic.

drolaw · 01-31-2010, 11:05 PM

Check out this guy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Guitarwa...18/ixQpOyl35VY

sahlomonic · 02-01-2010, 07:22 AM

Absolutely! That guy has the 2nd best convincing EVH tone with a 5150. Top dog in my opinion goes to vhoholic:

VHoholic

You can grab a 5150 combo for $400 if you're patient enough and scour Craigslist. Bought my 5150 head for $375, bought a XXX for $350, a Carvin Legacy for $250, and my 2203 for $250, all within the last 2 years. No bullshit. Be patient and always keep an eye out for deals.

Also . . . a DSL can get very close as well. If you want the ultimate budget brown sound, go buy . . . .

. . . a Crate GFX212. Seriously. Check out JFRocks.com and report back. He does all of his "Vin Heutin" lessons with a solid state Crate amp and it nails it. Convinced me to buy one years before I got my 5150.

08-22-2006, 06:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rock Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	EVH tone I want to achieve EVH tone. What Marshall would you recommend me if I do not want to spend a fortune? I use a guitar with a Seymour Duncan EVH pickup on the bridge. Thanks, Rock.

09-06-2006, 01:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
wonkka Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 5	EVH Tone Do a search on the other forum, starts with Plexi and ends with Palace. This topic has been a staple there for years with people that have actually seen and disected his amp and his rig. But in short you need: A second hand strat rear loaded with a PAF with a Fender TREM, not a Floyd, into a 67/68 1959 with laydown tranny and some cap changes going into a dummy load...not sure what he used here, a MXR Phase 90, Flange, and EQ, EP3 Echoplex, into several beat Marshall 4x12's with god only knows what speakers, Sunset Sound Studio 1.... I think, Don Landee, and of course Edwards hands, skill and mind. Ralle 500 has nailed it as have others with lesser gear. I think most of it is in the hands.

09-22-2007, 01:57 PM	#13 (permalink)
coldsteal2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,908	Re: EVH tone Robbin Crosby my old guitarist at the time in 1980 bought four stacks from him Eddie after a tour (Ps thats a great time to by equipment by the way! lots of touring bands will totaly sell half thier equipment aftet a tour for dirt cheep). The amps were Plexis that had been rewired and had oversized transformers, and added master volume and effects loops in back, some were metal faces some plexi. __________________ Playing Marshall's since 1969 Vintage Modern 2266, JCM-800, JCM-900,1960A(G12H's), DSL-401,AVT-50combo , CLASS 5 Head,Orange Rockerverb 50, and cab My Youtubes......ColdSteal II on Soundclick.com Last edited by coldsteal2; 09-23-2007 at 04:55 AM.

06-06-2008, 10:40 AM	#15 (permalink)
kelly Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Collinsville, IL. Posts: 15	Re: EVH tone Coldsteal, did you say Robin Crosby was YOUR old guitarist? Like RAT Robin Crosby? KD

06-06-2008, 10:57 AM	#17 (permalink)
kelly Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Collinsville, IL. Posts: 15	Re: EVH tone Right on dude! Read your bio, You gotta a helluva resume. Nice! nice to meet ya! Kelly

Today
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08-23-2006, 09:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hell_Tanner Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 37	I achieve a very satisfying brown sound with my JCM800 2203, I bought it used for less than $1170, cab included. You'll need something like an OD pedal to boost it though (Boss OD-1, SD-1, Ibanez TubeScreamer, Maxon OD-808 and the likes....) Just depend on how much you really want to spend on an amp.

08-23-2006, 02:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
KM1959 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 10	What do you consider a "small fortune"? I have a '72 Super Lead and while not cheap, does the EVH thing very well. It does however, require an attenuator (I use a HotPlate) because these things are frighteningly LOUD! No OD pedal is required though. You might want to do a web search though, there are thousands of responses to this question.

08-23-2006, 08:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
jerseydrew Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7	My Splawn modded Marshall 1987 head definitely does the VH Brown Sound. Sadly I sold it.

08-31-2006, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Ralle 500 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 1	Here's something maybe worth listening to... My superlead -68... A couple of EVH clips with me playing... I have done several recordings since these clips... but I haven't had the time to put'em up... so far... BTW... this is my first visit here... looks to be a cool site :wink:

08-31-2006, 05:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Hell_Tanner Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 37	I love that guitar! I've built one that looks a bit like yours, a hidden tribute to EVH of course. And those samples...WOW!!! Tell us your secret!

06-06-2008, 11:20 AM	#18 (permalink)
coldsteal2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,908	Re: EVH tone Just a regular guy __________________ Playing Marshall's since 1969 Vintage Modern 2266, JCM-800, JCM-900,1960A(G12H's), DSL-401,AVT-50combo , CLASS 5 Head,Orange Rockerverb 50, and cab My Youtubes......ColdSteal II on Soundclick.com

01-30-2010, 04:56 AM	#19 (permalink)
wkcchampion Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 2,241	Re: EVH tone I "resurrect" this old thread to share a thought I had yesterday. A local Rock radio broadcast "runnin' with the devil" while I was coming back home, and I noticed the following. First I thought it was my car audio system which was either broken or poor quality (hey it's a car radio) or teh broadcast was nto good enough, but going home I checked. I noticed that on the first Van Halen album, the rhythm guitar is almost completely panned on the left. On teh right, there are vocals and solos when present. I'll do experiments in my DAW, but my sensation is that this influences the sound a lot. By leaving a small part (let's say 10%) on the right channel, an unique phasing effect is created, therefore giving the sound that very particular trebly edge. Expert audio engineers know that just by changing the stereo image, the sound changes radically. Let's hear yours. __________________ *Marco* http://pregnosplatter.altervista.org/index.html The Brown Sound is HERE: http://www.marshallforum.com/cellar/...ally-here.html Marshall gear : - JMP-1 midi valve preamp - 1981 JCM800 1959 SuperLead - 1983 JCM800 2203 - 1987 Silver Jubilee 2555 - 1969 Basketweave replica with Celestion Pre-Rola G12M 25W T1221 Guitars: 2008 Parker Fly Mojo, 1995 Fly Deluxe "Eldy", 1959 pre-CBS Strat and 1993 ObG 1959 Les Paul replica

01-30-2010, 02:29 PM	#24 (permalink)
rjohns1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,019	Re: EVH tone His tone on the album is not a good representation of how his amp sounded. I have several quality bootlegs from 77-78, and his tone is more mellow than the album on those. It sounds just like a plexi turned up. A lot of that album's tone was the magic of Don Landee with some eq's, plate reverb, and several mikes in the room. Edwards tone is overly bright on the album, and he has said in interviews that it was too bright for him, he likes it darker. It' s amazing, the guy who made that famous sound doesn't even like it, yet all of us chase it.

01-30-2010, 02:32 PM	#25 (permalink)
rjohns1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,019	Re: EVH tone The sound on the right channel is a room mic, approximately 10-20 feet away from the amp, with a plate reverb on it. At least that was what Don Landee said it was in some old article I read. but yeah, the sound is made to sound huge with that trick, and it definitely changes it.

01-30-2010, 11:47 PM	#27 (permalink)
core Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1,321	Re: EVH tone Don't know how much you want to spend but David Bray does amazing amp mods and nails early VH sound. Check out all his clips. David Bray Amps __________________ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ ♠ Aces & 8's

01-31-2010, 04:28 AM	#28 (permalink)
ant_riv Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 143	Re: EVH tone wkchampion, Variacs are a very touchy topic with some people. re: Use of the Variac. I don't know how Eddie used his Variac, as he has been known to "exaggerate" the truth - liberally sometimes - as to his gear. He used to say he boosted the Variac above 120v. This will make your amp run hotter, and probably with more gain until it catches fire or something worse. If you are lucky, you will just fry your OT and .... I used a Variac with a 2203 and 2204 plugged into the same one at the same time for about four straight years in the early '80s. I reduced the voltage to just above where the on/off lights would stop working. (The amp would still work when there was not enough voltage to light the lamps.) I had as much crunch as those amps would put out, at manageable volume levels. Also, reduced power tube consumption! I suspect that if Eddie used a Variac with his amp, this would have been how. Maybe Jon will chime in on this topic.

01-31-2010, 11:05 PM	#29 (permalink)
drolaw Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 34	Re: EVH tone Check out this guy. http://www.youtube.com/user/Guitarwa...18/ixQpOyl35VY __________________ www.irisrocks.com Life's a garden - dig it.

02-01-2010, 07:22 AM	#30 (permalink)
sahlomonic Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 87	Re: EVH tone Absolutely! That guy has the 2nd best convincing EVH tone with a 5150. Top dog in my opinion goes to vhoholic: VHoholic You can grab a 5150 combo for $400 if you're patient enough and scour Craigslist. Bought my 5150 head for $375, bought a XXX for $350, a Carvin Legacy for $250, and my 2203 for $250, all within the last 2 years. No bullshit. Be patient and always keep an eye out for deals. Also . . . a DSL can get very close as well. If you want the ultimate budget brown sound, go buy . . . . . . . a Crate GFX212. Seriously. Check out JFRocks.com and report back. He does all of his "Vin Heutin" lessons with a solid state Crate amp and it nails it. Convinced me to buy one years before I got my 5150.

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