Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound

pittbull · 10-27-2009, 04:51 PM

Who in your opinions does the best marshall mod to achieve the van halen 1 sound(first album sound).

Benito · 10-27-2009, 06:28 PM

IMHO this is a slippery road into mental distress!!!!!!

I am sure that many many people claim to offer the Source of the Tone!!!
but surely without the Microphones and recording desk and outboard gear and actuall room that Eddie used not to mention Ted Templeman turning up to set the controls for you......I am dubious to say the least as to how close you will get man.........
Lets be honest even Ed himself has been unable to achive the sound again!!!! lol

But I agree it's a truely truely awesome tone and deserves to be hailed as the classic it is, but hey if you ever get there pls let me know as I would love to haver it myself!!!!!

Happy hunting!!!!!

HOT TUBES 70 · 10-27-2009, 06:35 PM

VOODOO or FJA

his tone was also done by using alot of other devices , not just a modded amp .
and if i remember right , was his amps not stock !!

80's Rocker · 10-27-2009, 06:40 PM

I believe on that one he used a Marshall Plexi maybe? I also believe I read that he turned all his settings to 10 somewhere but I am not sure. Remember on alot of his songs he recorded with Les Pauls and dubbed in whammy bar parts. Sorry its not more info or about the mod but I thought I would at least share that.

Richman1 · 10-27-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benito

IMHO this is a slippery road into mental distress!!!!!!

I am sure that many many people claim to offer the Source of the Tone!!!
but surely without the Microphones and recording desk and outboard gear and actuall room that Eddie used not to mention Ted Templeman turning up to set the controls for you......I am dubious to say the least as to how close you will get man.........
Lets be honest even Ed himself has been unable to achive the sound again!!!! lol

But I agree it's a truely truely awesome tone and deserves to be hailed as the classic it is, but hey if you ever get there pls let me know as I would love to haver it myself!!!!!

Happy hunting!!!!!

Man you are right about Eddie never nailing that same magical sound again. No other album was as huge sounding...

Richman1 · 10-27-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pittbull

Who in your opinions does the best marshall mod to achieve the van halen 1 sound(first album sound).

Go to Legendary Tones.com and they explain the whole deal...Eddie's 1968 100watt Plexi was not modded...

wkcchampion · 10-28-2009, 06:24 AM

huge +1.
Same for Brian May and many others guitar idols.
The audio engineers are often overlooked, but they are the main magic to the recorded tone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benito

IMHO this is a slippery road into mental distress!!!!!!

I am sure that many many people claim to offer the Source of the Tone!!!
but surely without the Microphones and recording desk and outboard gear and actuall room that Eddie used not to mention Ted Templeman turning up to set the controls for you......I am dubious to say the least as to how close you will get man.........
Lets be honest even Ed himself has been unable to achive the sound again!!!! lol

But I agree it's a truely truely awesome tone and deserves to be hailed as the classic it is, but hey if you ever get there pls let me know as I would love to haver it myself!!!!!

Happy hunting!!!!!

wkcchampion · 10-28-2009, 06:26 AM

ah in case.... you can't get that exact tone. No way.
It's impossibile to recreate the same studio situation and equipment.

I think that to get a good Van Halen tone you should crank your Marshall with a good attenuator and use uhm... perhaps a Shure SM57 or two to mike it up (unsure about mics to use)

Don't overlook mikes! Brian May often used strange mic placements to get his tones (We Will Rock you for example). And many others did.

Wilder Amplification · 10-28-2009, 08:54 AM

According to "The History Of Marshall" book by Brian Doyle, they show a pic of his early plexi and noted that contrary to popular belief, that amp was NOT modified in any way and that it had a "laydown" power transformer with the filter caps under the chassis, which points to the fact that the head is actually a '67 plexi. Rumor has it that this plexi was a "12000 series" plexi, meaning that the serial number of these amps was 12XXX, with the X's representing the rest of the serial number that is unique to every amplifier.

Get a cab with original G12M-25 pre-'74 Celestions (i.e. Greenbacks). Another thing contrary to popular belief, people speak of the "pre-Rola" Celestions when fact is that even though Rola and Celestion merged in the late '60s, they did not change a thing about the speakers up until '74 when they came out with the greybacks, black backs, etc etc...so you'd actually be looking for pre-'74 Celestions.

MXR Phase 90 - absolute essential item to have for the VH1 lead tone.

Build a Frankenstrat.

Custom wind your own DiMarzio humbucker.

Cut off EVH's hands and have your orthopedic surgeon sew them on for you.

Richman1 · 10-28-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilder Amplification

According to "The History Of Marshall" book by Brian Doyle, they show a pic of his early plexi and noted that contrary to popular belief, that amp was NOT modified in any way and that it had a "laydown" power transformer with the filter caps under the chassis, which points to the fact that the head is actually a '67 plexi. Rumor has it that this plexi was a "12000 series" plexi, meaning that the serial number of these amps was 12XXX, with the X's representing the rest of the serial number that is unique to every amplifier.

Get a cab with original G12M-25 pre-'74 Celestions (i.e. Greenbacks). Another thing contrary to popular belief, people speak of the "pre-Rola" Celestions when fact is that even though Rola and Celestion merged in the late '60s, they did not change a thing about the speakers up until '74 when they came out with the greybacks, black backs, etc etc...so you'd actually be looking for pre-'74 Celestions.

MXR Phase 90 - absolute essential item to have for the VH1 lead tone.

Build a Frankenstrat.

Custom wind your own DiMarzio humbucker.

Cut off EVH's hands and have your orthopedic surgeon sew them on for you.

Hey Jon, Was the 67 plexi very much different from the 68 ? Just curious....

wegman · 10-28-2009, 09:37 AM

I read some where that his tone actually came from the type of tubes he used. Supposedly he still has pallets of those tubes stored in a warehouse.

He then ran them out of phase or something like that to get that sound. I also read he used to blow up alot of amps.

Whether this is true or folklore is left to speculation but it is what I read.

RiverRatt · 10-28-2009, 09:46 AM

I've heard that he used G.E. 6CA7s. I read an interview with him not too long back where he said that the reason he went with 6L6 tubes in the 5150 III was that he couldn't find any more of the 6CA7s.

PaoloJM · 10-28-2009, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverRatt

I've heard that he used G.E. 6CA7s. I read an interview with him not too long back where he said that the reason he went with 6L6 tubes in the 5150 III was that he couldn't find any more of the 6CA7s.

Eddie is notorious for making up stuff in interviews for his own amusement, I would take that with a pinch of salt.

AFAIK, Eddie was quite drunk during the design of the 5150. My guess is that it's more likely that Peavey, being American, could get plentiful supplies of 6L6 cheaply. It's certainly clear from having played a few 5150s they sound absolutely nothing like the early VH tone so I don't know where the VH influence was. They're great for metal though

Wilder Amplification · 10-28-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richman1

Hey Jon, Was the 67 plexi very much different from the 68 ? Just curious....

Running valves out of phase? WTF? EVH was most certainly drunk off his ass if he made this claim.

IIRC, the '67 used lower value filter caps than the '68 circuit, where they went to the above chassis 50+50uF filter caps. There may have been a cathode bypass cap missing and a couple of treble bypass caps missing as well...I believe '67-'68 was a sort of transition period for Marshall as they were very inconsistent in a lot of their parts values as well as whether certain "non-electrically critical" parts were even used, which leads to the "every Marshall sounds different" and "you have to weed through a pile of them to find THE ONE that sounds great" phenomenons.

And X2 on EVH spewing misinfo in regards to how he got that album tone. Something tells me he doesn't even know anymore.

janarn · 10-28-2009, 01:53 PM

It's impossible to use the year for different Marshall values.

The 100w came out with different transformers, filter values,
different caps and resistors, and different tubes during the two first years.

At least 7 different versions from Nov. '65 to Nov. '68, when the 12000 series had started.

EVH's amp was 12301, I had 12304 for many years, still have a lot of pictures.
Some places say that it was a '67 instead of a '68,
but I'm 100% sure that my 12304 was a '68.

wegman · 10-28-2009, 01:54 PM

Here's some good info. He used a variac

Exploring Edward Van Halen's Early Legendary "Brown Sound"

Buggs.Crosby · 10-28-2009, 01:58 PM

I remember reading may times that he used a Variac to lower the voltage going to his amp...Jon will have to say if this works
but past knowledge of installing car stereos tells me that it could. IE:small gauge power and grounds can cause the amps to fry from lack of current
or what i learned as a brown out...could that be the real meaning of Brown Sound?

Wilder Amplification · 10-28-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buggs.Crosby

I remember reading may times that he used a Variac to lower the voltage going to his amp...Jon will have to say if this works
but past knowledge of installing car stereos tells me that it could. IE:small gauge power and grounds can cause the amps to fry from lack of current
or what i learned as a brown out...could that be the real meaning of Brown Sound?

OK I was seriously hoping someone wouldn't bring the variac out of the woodwork on this thread but since it's now been mentioned...

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AGAINST USING A VARIAC ON ANY VALVE AMP! Here's why -

When you drop the mains voltage, you're not only dropping the high voltage, you're dropping EVERYTHING in the amp, bias AND heater voltage. The bias WILL NOT be right, and the heater voltage will be too low. Not low enough to make the amp not work, but low enough that the cathodes get stressed due to a high positive voltage trying to literally rip electrons off of a not-so-hot cathode. The cathode has to be heated above a certain temperature to efficiently emit electrons and if it's lower than this temp, you will have cathode stripping.

This is one of those areas where now you start to compromise the electrical integrity of stuff in the amp. They were not designed for this...the valves were not designed for this. And what can hurt valves can hurt OTs too since the valves directly meter the current flow through the OT.

If you read some of Eddie's articles you'll find that Eddie's amp was constantly in the shop all the time...it's this kinda shit that made this a necessity. So unless you can afford high amp shop bills, I highly suggest not doing this.

There are in fact other ways to drop JUST the HT voltage without dropping the heater voltage and keeping the bias voltage in the range for the plate voltage. We deal special power transformers that are made specifically for this.

MajorNut1967 · 10-28-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilder amplification

ok i was seriously hoping someone wouldn't bring the variac out of the woodwork on this thread but since it's now been mentioned...

I highly recommend against using a variac on any valve amp! Here's why -

when you drop the mains voltage, you're not only dropping the high voltage, you're dropping everything in the amp, bias and heater voltage. The bias will not be right, and the heater voltage will be too low. Not low enough to make the amp not work, but low enough that the cathodes get stressed due to a high positive voltage trying to literally rip electrons off of a not-so-hot cathode. The cathode has to be heated above a certain temperature to efficiently emit electrons and if it's lower than this temp, you will have cathode stripping.

This is one of those areas where now you start to compromise the electrical integrity of stuff in the amp. They were not designed for this...the valves were not designed for this. And what can hurt valves can hurt ots too since the valves directly meter the current flow through the ot.

If you read some of eddie's articles you'll find that eddie's amp was constantly in the shop all the time...it's this kinda shit that made this a necessity. So unless you can afford high amp shop bills, i highly suggest not doing this.

There are in fact other ways to drop just the ht voltage without dropping the heater voltage and keeping the bias voltage in the range for the plate voltage. We deal special power transformers that are made specifically for this.

yes please no variac's

Wilder Amplification · 10-28-2009, 02:29 PM

And since this is an EVH 1 thread I feel it appropriate to post this vid cam recorded (excuse the poor audio quality) clip of one of my old bands doing Atomic Punk through a '69 Super Lead through a Power Brake and '73 G12H-30s, Les Paul w/EMG-81/85s and an MXR Phase 90. Bias set to 34mA @ 495V B+ = 67% dissipation.

http://www.wilderamplification.com/s...icclassic2.mp3

donkost · 10-28-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benito

IMHO this is a slippery road into mental distress!!!!!!

This statement pretty much sums it up. There are guys on the Metroamp EVH forum who seemingly devote every spare moment to chasing this VH1 tone. IMO it is the album where Ed had the least amount of control over his sound and the producer had the most control. In retrospect, I think this was the best way for Ed to operate, allowing him to fully focus on the music and his playing. Even his live tone in that era didn't sound like the VH1 album (I saw a few of the early shows). Of course the acoustics of the arena had a lot to do with that.

With the MXR Phase 90- it should be the script (not block) logo, battery operated, no led version from that era. The reissues don't really nail it exactly (EVH version with script button pushed in is in the ballpark), and he ran it in front of the holy grail Plexi or between the Plexi and the Marshalls he used as power amps, depending on what you read.

Does anyone else remember when this album came out? I began playing in '76 and in '78 I was in a Beatles cover band! We began learning other rock/classic rock songs, the usual Led Zep, Jethro Tull, Boston, Foghat, etc. and I could get by pretty well. Then VH1 came out- I bought it and as soon as I finished listening to "Eruption" and "I'm the one" I thought I was screwed. Almost made me hang it up... But we did end up covering "Runnin' with the devil", "You really got me" and "Jamie's Cryin'". I could squeak by on those at the time. I was using a Peavey Deuce 2 x 12" combo with some sort of Electro-Harmonix preamp stomp box in front of it back then. haha

pittbull · 10-28-2009, 02:44 PM

OK im back,ive done my homework on van halens tone(van halen 1 sound first album)i have owned many original plexis,reissue plexi,modded plexis and have owned and tried amps(different brands from A to Z)NO stock marshall plexi will achieve the crunch-distortion-compression that Ed achieved on van halen 1 unless a modifcation or a distortion-overdrive pedal was used in front of the amp to achieve that.(go back and listen to van halen 1-first album carefully)It sounds like Eds tone on van halen 1 is beyond high gain if you know what i mean,he did use sylvania big bottle 6ca7 tubes(American version EL34),he never liked or used EL34 tubeS(european style),If you listen to van halen 1 vs. the rest of the van halen albums, van halen 1 is the most aggressive out of them all,i believe there was something in front of the amp or a modification was done,Ed likes to bullshit people when it comes to his sound,and all the early interviews(late 70s-80s) i take with a grain of salt....The mxr phase 90 and the mxr flanger Ed used are just coloration pedals they dont add drive-distortion plus he only used them for soloing or intros.Van halen 1 came out in 1978....

Buggs.Crosby · 10-28-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilder Amplification

OK I was seriously hoping someone wouldn't bring the variac out of the woodwork on this thread but since it's now been mentioned...
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AGAINST USING A VARIAC ON ANY VALVE AMP!
.

Oh...i was not implying to use one by any means....just adding what i have read about his tone
P.S i might have a trade in the works for a 16ohm HotPlate..any opinions on this
i only ask because of another thread were you posted wanting the Schematic on it...if it works out maybe i can ship it to ya so you could make one
and see about the switchable mod you mentioned

Wilder Amplification · 10-28-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buggs.Crosby

Oh...i was not implying to use one by any means....just adding what i have read about his tone
P.S i might have a trade in the works for a 16ohm HotPlate..any opinions on this
i only ask because of another thread were you posted wanting the Schematic on it...if it works out maybe i can ship it to ya so you could make one
and see about the switchable mod you mentioned

The problem with first making things as I'm sure you're fully aware is not as simple as getting a schematic and a bunch of parts and building it. You gotta know the physical dimensions of each part used and design a noise free layout for those components, then design the chassis that will fit everything into it. Then there's the prototype build and hopefully everything works first shot go...then come the tone tweaks...blah blah blah. It can be very time consuming, which is why I don't prefer to do a full on custom built amp due to the high turnaround time involved. However, I would love to get a schematic of these units in hopes of being able to design this mod for them so if you're willing to loan out a Hotplate for the cause I'd be more than happy to reverse engineer the unit for this purpose.

Now as far as tonal opinions, I have no prior use experience with them but I've heard nothing but good reviews of the Hotplates from those who have. Most of them seem to prefer those over the Marshall Power Brake. They also have a couple of cool features that you won't find on the Power Brake as well as other soaks. I also deal them from my online store as well since they seem to be a popular item.

Who knows? Maybe one day I'll consider developing a power soak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkost

There are guys on the Metroamp EVH forum who seemingly devote every spare moment to chasing this VH1 tone.

Ain't that the damn truth!

zslane · 10-28-2009, 04:08 PM

The methods used back in 1978 to get the Brown Sound are not only shrouded in mystery, but are both impractical as well as unnecessary for recreating that sound today. A 5150III and a couple of MXR pedals, all dialed in just right, will get you 80% of the way there. The right humbucker on the right kind of guitar will get you another 15% of the way there. That last 5% will come down to matching Eddie's phrasing and unique note choices.

monsterwalley · 10-29-2009, 07:12 AM

anything you could ever want to know. These guys have come incredibly close.
Rockstah, has just about nailed it. Good info.

MetroAmp.com Forum • View forum - Eddie Van Halen

Adrian R · 10-29-2009, 03:18 PM

Straight-up...GOOD LUCK!

EVH to guitar in 1979 was what Hendrix was in 1969. Only thing different is that a few 'other' guitarists were able to come very close to Hendrix's tone..

EVH...well...an ENTIRELYdifferent subject..

Far too complex, you'd be better off developing your OWN tone and using Eddie's brilliance for mere inspiration...

As I've said before, 90% of an extremely original, gifted player's tone like EVH is in his own hands..

zslane · 10-29-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian R

EVH to guitar in 1979 was what Hendrix was in 1969.

Agree completely.

The intriguing thing is that those two were a mere decade apart, but it has been three decades since Eddie hit the scene and there hasn't been another guitarist since then who has had the kind of influence on rock guitar playing that he (and Hendrix before him) has had. Anyone care to venture a theory as to why that is?

LesBalls · 10-29-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsterwalley

anything you could ever want to know. These guys have come incredibly close.
Rockstah, has just about nailed it. Good info.

MetroAmp.com Forum • View forum - Eddie Van Halen

I agree. The guys at the Metro forum are THE source for the EVH tone.

If you follow some of their suggestions, you can get pretty close.

Benito · 10-29-2009, 04:15 PM

I heard that Eddie actually used Dave Lee Roth's sweat as a string lubricant and switch cleaner and had stockpiled it over several years of touring, it seems he used to wring out the towels DLR used to leave next to the drum riser, This is the true secret to his tone, only after many many years Eddie finally exhusted his supply and had to ask DLR to rejoin, It turns out the attemps to synthesise a replacement 'Tone Rug' from Michael Anthony's chest hair proved a resoundidng failiure.

this is all recounted in my book The Tone Secrets of the Stars (from someone who has no actual connection with anyone famous) available from my website Hook Line and Sinker a Nautical Solutions Website

10-27-2009, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
pittbull Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 90	Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound Who in your opinions does the best marshall mod to achieve the van halen 1 sound(first album sound).

10-27-2009, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Benito Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 21	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound IMHO this is a slippery road into mental distress!!!!!! I am sure that many many people claim to offer the Source of the Tone!!! but surely without the Microphones and recording desk and outboard gear and actuall room that Eddie used not to mention Ted Templeman turning up to set the controls for you......I am dubious to say the least as to how close you will get man......... Lets be honest even Ed himself has been unable to achive the sound again!!!! lol But I agree it's a truely truely awesome tone and deserves to be hailed as the classic it is, but hey if you ever get there pls let me know as I would love to haver it myself!!!!! Happy hunting!!!!! __________________ I love it when a plan comes together.......... 1981 JCM 800 4010 Vox Valvetronix LE Gibson LP Studio..tweeked Gibson Nighthawk Special

10-27-2009, 06:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
HOT TUBES 70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SASKATOON Posts: 3,373	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound VOODOO or FJA his tone was also done by using alot of other devices , not just a modded amp . and if i remember right , was his amps not stock !! __________________ ************************* PEDAL MODS & CUSTOM PEDAL BOARDS WWW.ONFLOORAUDIO.COM ONFLOORAUDIO@HOTMAIL.COM ************************** Marshall 6100LM ! Marshall 1960 w/ G12H-30`s ! OFA BOSS SD-1 TUBE BOOST PLUS OFA BOSS SD-1 GREEN GIANT OFA BOSS DS-1 HOT BRIT PLUS OFA BOSS BD-2 VINTAGE MOD OFA BOSS MT-2 NOVA MOD OFA BOSS CS-3 COMPRESSOR OFA DUNLOP GCB95 WAH PEDAL BOSS TU-2 TUNER BOSS GT-3 MULTI F/X BOSS FS5U FT SWITCH ERNIE BALL VOLUME PEDAL

10-27-2009, 06:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
80's Rocker Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: stuck in the 80's! Posts: 476	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound I believe on that one he used a Marshall Plexi maybe? I also believe I read that he turned all his settings to 10 somewhere but I am not sure. Remember on alot of his songs he recorded with Les Pauls and dubbed in whammy bar parts. Sorry its not more info or about the mod but I thought I would at least share that. __________________ 80's Rocker Epiphone Les Paul Stantard Marshall JCM 800 2204 1960 Cab Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Charvel Model 1 '87 Kramer Baretta Rock On!

10-28-2009, 06:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
wkcchampion Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Italy Posts: 1,619	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound ah in case.... you can't get that exact tone. No way. It's impossibile to recreate the same studio situation and equipment. I think that to get a good Van Halen tone you should crank your Marshall with a good attenuator and use uhm... perhaps a Shure SM57 or two to mike it up (unsure about mics to use) Don't overlook mikes! Brian May often used strange mic placements to get his tones (We Will Rock you for example). And many others did.

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10-28-2009, 09:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
wegman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Not far frome the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field Posts: 334	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound I read some where that his tone actually came from the type of tubes he used. Supposedly he still has pallets of those tubes stored in a warehouse. He then ran them out of phase or something like that to get that sound. I also read he used to blow up alot of amps. Whether this is true or folklore is left to speculation but it is what I read. __________________ Ian St Ian says "If your not playing Gibson and Marshall your a wanker!" Marshall JCM 800 2210 (1989) Marshall MG CD10 (hi guys!) Gibson Les Paul Custom (1981) Mackie 24x8 mixing console Alesis ADAT HD 24 digital recorder Shure KSM 27 Visit me and check out my tunes at Acid Planet! http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp...=286989&T=2378

10-28-2009, 09:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
RiverRatt Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Between Memphis and Nashville Posts: 1,309	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound I've heard that he used G.E. 6CA7s. I read an interview with him not too long back where he said that the reason he went with 6L6 tubes in the 5150 III was that he couldn't find any more of the 6CA7s.

10-28-2009, 01:53 PM	#15 (permalink)
janarn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 581	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound It's impossible to use the year for different Marshall values. The 100w came out with different transformers, filter values, different caps and resistors, and different tubes during the two first years. At least 7 different versions from Nov. '65 to Nov. '68, when the 12000 series had started. EVH's amp was 12301, I had 12304 for many years, still have a lot of pictures. Some places say that it was a '67 instead of a '68, but I'm 100% sure that my 12304 was a '68.

10-28-2009, 01:54 PM	#16 (permalink)
wegman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Not far frome the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field Posts: 334	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound Here's some good info. He used a variac Exploring Edward Van Halen's Early Legendary "Brown Sound" __________________ Ian St Ian says "If your not playing Gibson and Marshall your a wanker!" Marshall JCM 800 2210 (1989) Marshall MG CD10 (hi guys!) Gibson Les Paul Custom (1981) Mackie 24x8 mixing console Alesis ADAT HD 24 digital recorder Shure KSM 27 Visit me and check out my tunes at Acid Planet! http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp...=286989&T=2378

10-28-2009, 01:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
Buggs.Crosby Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: S.Jersey Posts: 3,867	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound I remember reading may times that he used a Variac to lower the voltage going to his amp...Jon will have to say if this works but past knowledge of installing car stereos tells me that it could. IE:small gauge power and grounds can cause the amps to fry from lack of current or what i learned as a brown out...could that be the real meaning of Brown Sound?

10-28-2009, 02:44 PM	#22 (permalink)
pittbull Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 90	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound OK im back,ive done my homework on van halens tone(van halen 1 sound first album)i have owned many original plexis,reissue plexi,modded plexis and have owned and tried amps(different brands from A to Z)NO stock marshall plexi will achieve the crunch-distortion-compression that Ed achieved on van halen 1 unless a modifcation or a distortion-overdrive pedal was used in front of the amp to achieve that.(go back and listen to van halen 1-first album carefully)It sounds like Eds tone on van halen 1 is beyond high gain if you know what i mean,he did use sylvania big bottle 6ca7 tubes(American version EL34),he never liked or used EL34 tubeS(european style),If you listen to van halen 1 vs. the rest of the van halen albums, van halen 1 is the most aggressive out of them all,i believe there was something in front of the amp or a modification was done,Ed likes to bullshit people when it comes to his sound,and all the early interviews(late 70s-80s) i take with a grain of salt....The mxr phase 90 and the mxr flanger Ed used are just coloration pedals they dont add drive-distortion plus he only used them for soloing or intros.Van halen 1 came out in 1978....

10-28-2009, 04:08 PM	#25 (permalink)
zslane Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 475	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound The methods used back in 1978 to get the Brown Sound are not only shrouded in mystery, but are both impractical as well as unnecessary for recreating that sound today. A 5150III and a couple of MXR pedals, all dialed in just right, will get you 80% of the way there. The right humbucker on the right kind of guitar will get you another 15% of the way there. That last 5% will come down to matching Eddie's phrasing and unique note choices. __________________ JCM2000 DSL-100 head + 1960A 4x12 cab 30th Anniversary 6100 head JCM2000 DSL-401 combo Les Paul Standards ('96 Goldtop, '99 Ebony, '03 Honeyburst) Les Paul Custom ('04 Alpine White w/ gold hardware) Les Paul Supreme ('07 Trans Black w/ black hardware)

10-29-2009, 07:12 AM	#26 (permalink)
monsterwalley Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound anything you could ever want to know. These guys have come incredibly close. Rockstah, has just about nailed it. Good info. MetroAmp.com Forum • View forum - Eddie Van Halen

10-29-2009, 03:18 PM	#27 (permalink)
Adrian R Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Far North Chicago Burbs' Posts: 613	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound Straight-up...GOOD LUCK! EVH to guitar in 1979 was what Hendrix was in 1969. Only thing different is that a few 'other' guitarists were able to come very close to Hendrix's tone.. EVH...well...an ENTIRELYdifferent subject.. Far too complex, you'd be better off developing your OWN tone and using Eddie's brilliance for mere inspiration... As I've said before, 90% of an extremely original, gifted player's tone like EVH is in his own hands.. __________________ Adrian R. Amplification: Marshal JCM900 MKIII 2100 Marshall JCM900 MKIII 2100 (#2) Marshall JCM900 4100 (mods) Marshall MG15 Micro Stack Marshall 1960A 4x12 Cab. Marshall JCM800 1960A 4x12 Cab. MXR/Maxon Fx. Guitars: Gibson LP Standard (95') Gibson Flying-V 67RI (06') Gibson Flying-V V98 SE (01') Guild DV 6 Acoustic (00') "Only two tones apply: loud and LOUDER"

10-29-2009, 04:15 PM	#30 (permalink)
Benito Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 21	Re: Marshall amp mods for van halen 1 sound I heard that Eddie actually used Dave Lee Roth's sweat as a string lubricant and switch cleaner and had stockpiled it over several years of touring, it seems he used to wring out the towels DLR used to leave next to the drum riser, This is the true secret to his tone, only after many many years Eddie finally exhusted his supply and had to ask DLR to rejoin, It turns out the attemps to synthesise a replacement 'Tone Rug' from Michael Anthony's chest hair proved a resoundidng failiure. this is all recounted in my book The Tone Secrets of the Stars (from someone who has no actual connection with anyone famous) available from my website Hook Line and Sinker a Nautical Solutions Website __________________ I love it when a plan comes together.......... 1981 JCM 800 4010 Vox Valvetronix LE Gibson LP Studio..tweeked Gibson Nighthawk Special

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