Comments on: The Final Word on EVH’s VHI Setup?

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:02:58 +0000

He may be using the old No.1 SLP again – its been in at Dave Friedman’s shop so you have to ask why Ed has had it looked over. Here’s hoping he uses it (or another old marshall again)

By: Towers McQuestion

Towers McQuestion — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 23:34:45 +0000

Since it doesn’t seem Ed is using it right now, I agree with Roth Zealot 78, enshrine that amp in the Smithsonian and make it Mecca for all us VH freaks.

By: Bill New

Bill New — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:31:15 +0000

I saw Van Halen play in front of the book store at Glendale College around 1975. After their set, I was checking out their “flash pots”. Eddie walks up to me and gave me a tour of his setup. He showed me his one 100 watt Marshall and told me he pulled one of the power tubes out to give it more distortion. I asked if Anthony’s SVTs would drown it out. He said no. He had a BLOND FENDER BANDMASTER amp for his backup then.

By: Myron T. Philpot

Myron T. Philpot — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:27:19 +0000

Yeah, he played a Steinberger with a TransTrem for Pleasure Dome’s lead and main riff but there’s a barritone doubled underneath. Same with Top of the World, the barritone is under it all and somewhat hidden by Mike’s bass. Funny that the main riff for TotW is the outro riff from Jump. The Kramer 5150 was outfitted with a bass A string for the low E which was a common trick when detuning 1/2 step for Dave. The custom Runaround Tele was a gift from Fender who were courting him at the time. I guess their patience won in the end!

Not sure on the Balance guitars since at that time I eschewed hard rock/heavy metal in favor of the Blues. Fortunately, I’ve rejoined the fold.

By: Matteau23

Matteau23 — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:33:02 +0000

Great info Tom, Thanks. Still love the tone of the Musicman.. both live and in the studio. Gorgeous looking guitar too.

Check out the vids on Youtube from the John Stewart show in
’95 and tell me that Musicman wasn’t smokin’….

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:32:59 +0000

On Carnal,he used the Steinberger for Pleasure dome.The old 58 Flying V was used on Top of the world.He used the Kramer 5150 on Judgement day,possibly the last known recording he did with that guitar before switching ovet to the Musicman.On Balance,it was the Musicman except on Big fat money,where he used an old Gibson 335 on the solo.And the acoustic on Take me back,which was some old guitar he wasnt even sure of the make lol.He has always used many different guitars in the studio,sometimes he said it in interviews,sometimes not .We guitar players are left to scratch our heads and wonder how he achieves so many tones out of one guitar lol.He also has said he has used Hiwatts and Voxs here and there to get different tones as well.But live,he keeps it simple as can be so if there is a problem,it can be solved as easily and quickly as possible.The show must go on