EVH TONE DEEP DIVE feat. DAVE FRIEDMAN and PETE THORN/GUITAR SUMMIT 2020

All things EVH tone! 6CA7's, Variacs, negative feedback loops, the FX, mics, speakers, recording gear, and playing tips... we get geeky. Thanks to Guitar Summit, for the idea to make a vid! Check out Guitar Summit here: webcamp.guitar...
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[@RickBeato]

Great video Pete! Love the attention to detail.

[@guskalogeros9021]

Pete and Rick. You both have done great videos about a plexi style amp going through a variac to give the amp that sag or spongy feel. My question is, instead of using a variac, what if someone switches the voltage switch on the back to 220v??? If running here in Canada or the US, wouldn’t it have the same effect?? Keep up the AWESOME work guys!

[@gill2675]

Rick another legend that I love just listening to I’m sure even Edward would be like “yea keep talking I’m interested” I love this cause I understand all it. What is Dave’s shop number? I would love to take my slp for a mod? Thanks

[@ryanschoenhals2071]

@@guskalogeros9021 that’s how Eddie had got the idea on dropping the voltage. He said that he had got a marshall and it was super quiet but it sounded amazing, and he realized that it was a UK one with the 220.

[@guskalogeros9021]

@@ryanschoenhals2071 do old plexis have a voltage switch from 220-120 v?

[@racrboy]

You can't fake tone (especially EVH) with fake modelers. That's why I feel like I should be a drummer with all the gear I gig with 🤣🤦‍♂️

[@samcomfort6564]

This has to be the best “brown sound” video I’ve heard.

[@javyalayon]

Not only the best Brown sound, the BEST sound, man! Blew me away, reminded me how legendary Eddie's sound was and always will be.

[@bengottard7698]

This is dead on the sound, Pete Thorn and Dave Friedman have nailed it 😎

[@dalstar925]

Everything Pete does sounds incredible. I’m convinced he could play a one string guitar made out of a box and a stick and it’d sound better than anything I’ve ever played. And I ALWAYS get compliments on my tone...still can’t touch Pete lol

[@jimmybailey7198]

It's missing some high end, a pair of JBLs would fix that

[@markesquivelarvizu6942]

Jason Deraps has Ed down cold. I thanks its more in the hands than gear kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOXpqeNrceiodE

[@joecoombsguitarist]

This is the closest I’ve heard to Eddie other than the man himself, incredible work Pete! The attention to detail has not gone unnoticed!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

@@PeteThorn two things not discussed on this piece is Ed's tuning, (Eb), which definitely adds to the shear meat of his tone, it just adds that deep sense to it if that makes any sense. Also, metal picks, in the early days he used copper and brass picks, and I have tried these and although they eat strings in about 5 min flat, boy of boy does it add a bite to the sound! Amazing video Pete, god bless! Joshua

[@mhoff7722]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX Hmm interesting I had some of those picks back in the day and couldn't get used to the feel. Will have to revisit those...the chase for tone continues 🤘🤘🤘

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

@@mhoff7722 I still use them but rip through strings like hot cakes..if you go to my channel, I uploaded a snippet of me playing some VH a while ago and I am using a copper pick. Ty for replying!

[@mhoff7722]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX Thanks man I'll check it out.

[@addicted2tone349]

Dude! This wasn't an attempt at the Brown Sound, this was a trip back in time to one of the greatest tones of all time. You nailed it 💯!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks for watching!

[@ts31966]

@@PeteThorn what milliseconds is the delay set at in your video?

[@sunsgettingreallow8318]

300ms

[@gustavobarrancos1233]

30:25 - that was scary, it felt like the original recording isolated guitar track

[@ImpostorModanica]

Word

[@raylewis1355]

Gotta give the dude mad props. That was weird. Pretty much the only dude on KZbin that nailed it. Great dude, good guitarist... wish we could here a sick guitarist play through this.

[@jorgemery5568]

totally agree, never seen anyone nail it like him

[@TheDmonet]

Yeah, it's basically indistinguishable. The mystery is basically solved, stuff that as kids we all couldn't figure out why we couldn't get with Crate amps and Boss distortion pedals. :) I wonder what happens if you give the same variac/dimed treatment to an AC 30 or a Fender or a Mesa on the clean channel.

[@giorgosk2884]

Holy shit that's it yes the TONE is identical

[@Polentaccio]

Maybe this could be the beginning of many deep dive vids .. Randy Rhoads live tone, Schenker's UFO tones, Lynch, Demartini, Jake. Think about it! Really geek out on it

[@1tdillon]

(I'll second the Randy live tone "Deep Dive." Don't know how much of the Tribute tone is studio enhanced (post production), but it is an absolutely KILLER tone.

[@Polentaccio]

@@1tdillon A bit of it is in terms of them hyping the highs but there is a fella on youtube who used to know Randy who was able to get almost all of his live show bootlegs or recordings off the desk during the tour and that core tone is massive. It cuts but is much beefier than what finished on Tribute. Both are great but going for that raw live tone would be magic. cascaded 1959, EQ, MXR Distortion +, MXR Chorus, DSD, Altecs. But putting it all together, I know Pete is the man to do it!

[@ScottyBrockway]

I third the Randy deep dive!

[@1tdillon]

@PeteThorn - There ya go Pete...Your next Deep Dive. We helped you avoid all the unnecessary contemplation. And by ALL means, get Dave Friedman involved to help solve and understand Randy's live amp and speaker setup.

[@ScottyBrockway]

@@1tdillon Too bad Dave doesn't really like Randy's tone that much, he's a Jake guy.

[@TheGuitologist]

Great video. I'm not exactly into tone chasing to sound like anyone in particular usually, even the great EVH, but I really appreciated the detail and geeky focus on the tech. That is exceptionally rare on KZbin among guitar channels. Usually you get one or the other, rarely both. Also, I don't think many people will ever understand the sheer amount of work that goes into producing a video with this much audio and video editing. Really, really great job! One of the best vids of 2020 in my book dude.

[@PeteThorn]

Thank you!!!

[@michaeltobin643]

You would know, Brad...thanks for all you do too (other than the political stuff - start a new channel for that stuff). That said: I wholeheartedly agree, this an extrordinary outcome - it says a lot if I can say I learned from this, and I did. I've studied EVH technical lore for over forty years, this ranks in the highest echelon of info dissertation using clear comparative analysis of the variety of little bits that apparently contributed to the end product that 'is' the so-called brown sound. And BTW, thanks for not calling it that; even though it's accepted terminology now (generally), the man himself was always puzzled as to why people associated it with his sound, when it was Alex's drum tone he was describing when he made the reference. Hmmm...maybe a good example of how misinfo can get propagated, huh? Cheers!

[@GearGasms]

I agree with Brad! I was initially scared off by the length, but glad I checked it out on his recommendation

[@mhoff7722]

@@michaeltobin643 +1 on the political stuff

[@truescotsman4103]

go for the sound in your head. go for your own sound.

[@jeshely]

We don’t have to wait “down the road”. You are pretty inspiring yourself Pete and you have a special reach thru this youtube medium.

[@PeteThorn]

🙏

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Incredible video Pete! \m/

[@blakjack3053]

I concur,, and he even gave some very useful tips on how to play EV riffs the right way!

[@bernardshakey9107]

I fucking love “Beautiful Girls”. That riff always makes me smile like a Cheshire Cat.

[@PeteThorn]

So great. No one swings like that anymore.

[@ricardorodriguez5549]

@@PeteThorn you nailed it. EVH swung like a motherlover and that’s a time feel that seems to be slipping away from the player culture. My band mates and I joke that VH was essentially a big horn swing band translated to a rock world. His guitar parts always strike me as essentially horn charts repurposed to a guitar neck. Plus, there was that whole once in a generation genius thing.

[@joemars41]

Great analogy

[@raxxtango]

EVH CREATED HIS "SOUND" BY PIECING TOGETHER AND INTEGRATING THE AVAILABLE PARTS OF THE DAY..43 YEARS LATER, ITS STILL THE HOLY GRAIL OF TONE

[@JanisKlinnert]

its so satisfying to hear someone play the Eddie riffs correct haha! usually people don't play with enough attitude and miss the little details but you nailed them!! Loved every second of the video!! By the way im really gasing on your Floyd Strat! I want one too sooo bad! anyway great tones even greater playing and thanks for he killer content Pete! stay Healthy! Cheers from Germany

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Janis!

[@eightstorywindow]

This video needs to spark a full “dive in” series. I would binge an entire season in one night!

[@david_a_uno]

Take it to Netflix!!

[@eightstorywindow]

@@david_a_uno right? I’m sure these are a lot of work but I would watch Pete break down a ukulele rig

[@hardypahardypa1]

And I would too!!!!!

[@eightstorywindow]

@@jimshorts125 that’s a great record. I think that’s the point we are trying to make, the possibilities for a Dive In series would be endless and I’d watch any...especially late 70’s, early 80’s stuff

[@Twominutedevotions]

Or a collab series with Pete and James Santiago re-creating full signal paths of classic songs with the original gear? YAAASSSS!!!!!!!

[@kendallivy8922]

Pete, you are the only one I’ve ever heard who’s nailed Eddies playing on a DNA level, intonation, feel, ‘the intuition of his fingers’, I mean really I’ve heard everybody play his shit from rookie to professional and NOBODY nails it like you do. Yes you technically nailed his ‘Brown Sound’ gear wise, but it’s not ‘it’ w/o his fingers. You do. Dam. Good job and great video. Best one ever. Period.

[@PeteThorn]

Thank you so much Kendall

[@tednugentlives]

I give Doug Steele (aka John Sanders) a close 2nd, but Doug is is own beast.

[@chopperdeath]

I agree with this.

[@Ar41e]

Check out Mr. Toshi Yanagi, you'll be surprised.

[@officialmetalwill]

Literally anyone with a guitar and a Marshall style amp can nail Eddie's playing and tone very easily.

[@kmlconsolidated]

Pete…the level of detail and accuracy you put into this video is absolutely awe inspiring. The details captured and demonstrated behind just the pick scrape and slide alone was incredible! You make our homeland proud!!

[@PeteThorn]

🙏🇨🇦

[@ToneScavenger]

Damn. Just the opening riff “Ain’t talking ‘bout love” already got me convinced!

[@budgetguitarist]

Yeah, it's absolutely spot on. It's tough to play it that well, and it's tough to dial a flanger in perfectly like Pete did. I'm still trying.

[@lorryriff6613]

This was way too complicated for me, I've never heard or used most of the stuff we see here. But, it didn't matter, I watched the whole thing, cause, man, what a pleasure to hear you play those riffs !!! You really nailed them : sound / rhythm / feeling / effects settings / little tricks....You're by far the one guy on the Internet who can get the closest to what the GOAT did back in the day. Congrats to you, that was awesome !

[@Hoscitt]

This is bloody superb! Honestly this is the most I've enjoyed a video this year. Thanks Pete 👍

[@giovannimazarim6276]

What Impulse Response should I use to get closer to VH one sound?

[@NickNitro]

since 2008 I've seen millions of these evh clone tone videos man, it was always scooped distortion w/ high treble on a heavy body with some muddy phase focused on cheap generic humbucker pick ups, on anything from ibanez to gibson knock offs. the nuances of the tone were not exact, but maybe that's because it's not drowned in reverb like the recordings. anyway to the point, you're the closest I've ever heard! gg dude! (that gear must have been expensive af, gg on that too xD)

[@Chef_Jeff69]

I have such a Man Crush on Pete. “The Immaculate Nerd”

[@PeteThorn]

😂🙏

[@christopher.k.guitar]

That’s the best compliment ever 😆

[@harrypalmer3481]

Hot For Peter!

[@RoccoPezzin]

By far the BEST video on Eddie's tone on all KZbin! Thanks Pete and Dave, this is pure gold!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@massapower]

Your best to date was Playing with the Steve Stevens band on "HOT FOR TEACHER" on a LES PAUL.... FRKN AMAZING !!

[@luvsic35]

Hot for teacher was recorded on a 1958 Flying V - fun fact

[@francispariseau7562]

Pete this was amazing !! I think I smiled for 45 minutes straight...I'm officially a nerd !! Now how about a part 2 video to Eddie's Balance and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge ??? Thanks man loved it. .. Cheers

[@6nosis]

We must give big “ups” to the “genius” Mr. Dave Friedman!! Just amazing engineering sir!! Never stop!!

[@Stashmanfpv]

He’s a genius FOR SURE! BUT - What scares me is his weight. Folks his size seem to have many health problems as they get older and don’t realize they need to lose a few Lbs in order too remain among us… Best! 🔥

[@qua7771]

@@Stashmanfpv Yep. I'm having to loose weight too. It's harder when you get older, and metabolism slows down.

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

Well this is the new go to video to get that Van Halen tone. You and Dave did an amazing job getting close to Eddie’s tone, amazing! I’ve been down this rabbit hole creating his tone on my Axe-Fx III, I think I got quite close. Awesome job Pete, you never fail to disappoint.

[@warrborn_official]

The Suhr is perfect middle ground. What a great sounding amp. The playing is of course what really makes all these amps shine. Making Eddy proud Pete, there is no doubt.

[@MedalionDS9]

I think how I even found this channel is his early tutorials on how to play Eruption... I was very impressed with how he played it that sold me on this channel overall

[@Cymbaline713]

That was my intro to Pete as well. I was hooked from then on!

[@satchrules101]

Medalion. That happened to me Too. Pete is Great!

[@crazyb3fan]

Same. How long ago was that? For some reason I thought I'd be game at trying to learn eruption LOL. I stumbled on the Pete Thorn vid tutorial series for it and have been a huge fan ever since.

[@mikew9788]

That is where I found this channel also. Great stuff

[@warrenyoung7503]

I love that 45 years later the genius of Edward is being studied. Great video.

[@SrDeMaFp]

DUDE, this NEEDS to be a series! You're a monster, Pete!

[@jackbutler2732]

Incredible molecular knowledge Pete has to get that tone - and the chops to get it done. Really enjoyable. Keep going Pete!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Jack!

[@billytremoloband7456]

Jesus that intro is literally like listening to the isolated guitar track......! And I’m only 1minute 30 into the video.....!

[@bones2532]

... exactly my first thought, when I watched the live chat premiere yesterday! Pete just nailed it.

[@eddiejr540]

Agreed... I thought the same thing!!!

[@josephculver7341]

I actually bought this amp off Dave a few months ago after this video, easily the best sounding Marshall I’ve had. Love the video Pete, I’m probably responsible for nearly 1,000 of the views! Love the channel

[@3500ton]

ATBL intro sounded too thick in the mids and lacks like 10K freq. To me it lacks just a tad of overdrive but the biggest issue are thick mids. Just compared it to vinyl version. Could be cutting mids in the post but it just doesn’t sound like the same circuit amp. Original sounds more like a fender circuit regarding mids. The difference could be Jose master in that hole at the back, reamping or CM bass circuit theory or all three together. The hole had something in it and that something was white and it had a purpose. The playing could not be better so it’s not just magic hands.

[@3500ton]

Why would he use a frown curve in front of a mid heavy amp like super lead? Frown eq curve was always used in front of a fender tone stack for rock sounds. Super bass has a fender tone stack and basically is a bassman

[@macdaddyblues1]

Aint gonna lie... gotta a little teary eyed... He was such a damn genius!!!!

[@rockinchippy]

You are doing gods work PT!

[@PeteThorn]

Thank u!!! 🙏🎸

[@scriptphase]

I absolutely loved this, Pete! Perfect timing too, as I just finished my EVH inspired board: Analogman buffer, 70s MXR Flanger, old script Phase 90, Catalinbread BED, and Boss GE-10... sent to a Suhr SL68. Keep up the great work! Always inspired by your videos and livestreams!

[@gregparker8349]

Intro gave me goosebumps. A lot of people really butcher the intro and am/g chords, you got it down to the flanger timing and right amount of slap back delay...reverb..awesome sounds just like Vh1. Nice tone and playing good job mr. Pete!

[@RonEMarks]

I had no idea you were such an EVH fan! I have never seen anyone play so many of his parts so perfectly. Not just tone or notes. Full on technique in every aspect! Brilliant!!

[@mrb740]

Wasn't the whole "Jose Arredondo modded Eddie's amps" thing a lie told by Eddie to help Jose out with his business? And that in fact Jose did not do anything to his amps? Genuine question, here.

[@michaelponce7326]

I've read where eds plexi was stock

[@FriedmanAmplification]

Jose serviced and make some little changes to stock amps.. Like better impedance selectors and such.. I have been in many of the amps he used..

[@Qdraw]

@@FriedmanAmplification Hey Dave, what exactly is the V2 fat cap?

[@anmolatwal]

Guitar Summit couldn't have chosen better people for this....dream team Friedman-Thorn!! The power duo that specializes in the greatest tones of the 80s. You both are just Killers at this!! Great playing Pete!! Cheers brother!!

[@PeteThorn]

Thank you Ammol!

[@forestgreenman]

I think you and Dave came as close as anyone could practically come to getting that EVH sound. Great work and a great collaboration.

[@innnews6299]

The beginning tone and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” riff were just spot-on. The perfect beginning to an awesome video. Please do more on Van Halen’s tones throughout the years, including the Sammy Hagar era.

[@bobilly]

Makes most sense to me that Ed liked the Super Distortion, but it's such an immediately recognizable pickup - double cream bobbins, hex screws - he wanted an "undercover" pickup to use in his main guitar that wouldn't give away the secret. The Seymour Duncan "Custom" looks like a plain-Jane old PAF but is overwound with a big ol Ceramic magnet just like the Super Distortion, and I don't think that's a coincidence. As the guitar changes over the years and gets Floyd Rose trems, the Alnico 2 mag of the "Custom Custom" (which is simply a "Custom" with alnico 2 replacing the ceramic mag, supposedly close in spec to the Duncan Custom Shop "Frankenstein" pickup from the 2007 Relic and current aftermarket product) warms it up a bit and that's what lives in the guitar ever since. Probably many other tweaks and changes in between but that seems to make the most sense to me.

[@thomasholly1455]

Those Sylvania Tubes is what Eddie had in his amps at the time.. I new Jose when he was working with ed, you can totally here it when those tubes are used in the amp...

[@mopartony7953]

NAILED IT! wow. Best EVH tone replication I’ve heard.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

As a huge die hard fan of “King Edward” and a fellow guitar geek/nerd, this video was so cool that 45 minutes just flew by! I’ve watched 10 minute videos that seemed to take all day and lost my interest. This video seemed short in comparison. Well done dudes! Bitchin’ insight and info!

[@ashave9100]

Hi all ,Your sound is near dead on ! - Have you ever looked into the schematics of the Pevey 5150.When the amp first came out I got a copy of the preamp section from Pevey and in the high gain section there is a bandpass filter ( just a few resistors and capacitors) starting from the signal path to earth, brown sound filter ? hope this may give a different direction into how the sound was developed. Regards

[@RichardA5150]

The new Guitar World is excellent also, I was highly disappointed with the Premier Guitar Issue though. I am fully climbing down the rabbit hole, I was always in awe of Ed but never bothered to learn anything as I wasn't capable at the time guitar wise. Im still not lol, im better and I am enjoying the process though.

[@ICACJ]

"Ed with the Destroyer before he destroyed it. " lol. RIP Eddie.

[@davidkorb4444]

I love the fact that you showed the world how to play the main riff to “Somebody get me a doctor” accurately! Thank you Pete! I was curious why you did not address the use of a dummy load in the signal chain. Eddy basically invented an effects loop running parallel before the amp builders figured it out. Eddy was such a tone innovator! RIP Eddy.

[@admarhermans1]

Great video!! 🙏 Man, I almost love the 50 watt Marshall and the Suhr even more! In a way their sound is more clear and open, wich I personally like. Mr. Friedman is an extremely knowledgeable teacher, and a nice humanoïd. 🙏 🖖

[@Ontariosound]

I remember reading an article in a recording magazine years ago, at least 20, where Eddie said that the API console EQ was a part of his sound. Makes sense.

[@shorerocks]

Fantastic. But remember, Pete is playin' it damn close to Ed, that also helps getting it 'right'.

[@semdallinga69]

List of the specs they mentioned, and some other things to consider: Amp: Fat cap V2 (perhaps added by José) Negative feedback resistor: 47k on 4 ohm tap (if I interpreted that one right), the resistor value is at the very least higher than normal, to decrease negative feedback "ruining" the signal. Mid pot 50k Array of resistors between the primaries of the output transformer, although not mentioned in the video, there are rumors about this(will probably kill your amp) 6ca7 tubes (same as 6550?) Of course the variac (variable transformer) was used to lower the mains voltage going into the amp. The variac was set up to put out 90v instead of 120v, or 175-180v in Europe (with 230-240v mains). The bias was set to max, but max settings might vary from amp to amp. To bias your amp to Ed's specs, you'll have to get the amp running on 90v/175v/180v (mains), and set the bias to give each tube about 50mA of current. *Don't try running these samesettings on the normal voltage, cause you'll burn your tubes out with about 80mA each.* The whole varia thing might not suit the 1987 circuit, since the tubes run on a lower voltage already (if I remember correctly). In the old days Eddie also had an AC30 head as a backup amp, although it's not certain if he recorded anything with it, he is seen in the studio with it, holding his black and white Frankie (there's a picture on Equipboard, if you click on the Marshall 1959slp). There's a chance Ed used the power amp section of the Vox, while plugging his guitar into the Marshall pre amp. I am not sure if Eddie's Marshall had a FX loop, but since he used all of his pedals in front of the amp, this is very unlikely. Even though this scenario is unlikely, it could also explain some of the fizziness on the first album, the power section of a Vox AC30 tends to saturate a lot, even at low volumes. Perhaps I'll be able to find more on EVH and slaving amps. Speakers G12M Greenback 75Hz(?) I've read stuff about G12H's as well since they'd keep up better with the volumes. There have also been some rumors circulating about the use of Blackbacks, supposedly he only started using those since the recordings of Fair Warning, but I'm not sure if that's the case. Blackbacks sound really good on a VH1 style tone as well. JBL D120, almost certainly only on VH1, from VH2 and onwards these high frequencies were nowhere to be found in the guitar tracks. (4 Blackbacks G12M 75hz speakers were used in this video) Guitar: Frankie: Dimarzio Super Distortion or (probably) Mighty Mite 1300 pickup. Rewound PAF (Duncan Custom) was installed in '79 possibly. Ibanez Super 70's in Ibanez Destroyer (shark guitar) On VH! Eddie used a '57 vintage style Fender Stratocaster tremolo On VH2 he might have used the Mighty Mite brass trem system (1133BR), (edit: Looking back on this: I read that Eddie used his "Charvel" Bumblebee a lot on the second album) Signal chain: Boss GE-10 equalizer (quite rare), buffers the signal and drives the amp a bit. The preamp/compressor on the Echoplex ep-3. Not sure if Pete mentioned this, but the preamp from the Echoplex unit drives the amp as well. I believe due to a design flaw, the dry signal from the guitar was boosted as well instead of only boosting the repeats. Very important to run the echo/delay unit in front of the amp. Strings: 9-40 Nickel strings (like the old days), perhaps the custom 9-40 set with the G-string being a 15 I'll definitely add some more to this comment, until then, fill me up on anything I missed.

[@alexstone7252]

11:54 Pete, this guitar actually is the frankie. At the time when boogie bodies were selling guitar bodies, they came in a select few finishes. A lot of people don't really know this but the frankenstein was actually originally bought as a finished sunburst body (with a knot on the lower cutaway. If you notice the wood/wear on the lower horn, it matches at the exact area where the frankenstein's wood shows. Ed sanded the crap out of the clear coat, played it as an unfished body, then sanded it again before painting it black which explains a lot of scratches you can still see on today's version. He kept that guitar black for maybe a year, and THEN striped it. This same picture is in the 2006 Guitar World Fender Frankenstein Replica issue. This guy absolutely nerds out about Ed's guitar and its paint job history: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJTGqnt4YtmXapY

[@PeteThorn]

Good info!

[@deepspacetheater]

@@PeteThorn Pete, I believe that was the guitar I saw Eddie play in one of his last pre-signing club gigs . . . at the Whiskey, I think. Anyway, I didn't know stripes from skunks at the time, but his black Strat-type had a single pinstripe--gold, I think--around the perimeter. There was also a bombshell standing onstage, and every few minutes he'd stick his into it. This was a gig my buddy compelled me to see, and the band was hot-hot-hot. Loved it.

[@coldacre]

wearing masks when neither has covid. crazy, paranoid times! great video Pete, that gold Fender has the right stuff going on.

[@marcel_satyagraha]

It would be great if there’s a deep dive analysis on Van Halen Balance Tone as well 😊🙏🏻 Thanks for making the geek out video like this, really appreciate your effort 👍🏻👏🏻

[@alteroccatv]

I can see when you play, you are 11 years old again... I was when VH1 came out... hoooooooooo the memories.... (HUGE ***sigh***) RIP

[@PeteThorn]

🙏🤟

[@iamamish]

This is the closest I've ever heard anyone get to the famed EVH tone, really nice job.

[@oyster7746]

Pete, I got the guitar chills on this vid. This has to be your absolute best yet buddy!!!

[@Miami_1984]

Do you HAVE to get the black backs or can i use green backs or cream backs? I think my wallet as a 16 year old student would much rather get one of those. Btw extremely nice video mate, keep it up

[@RiffLair]

Watching this for the 2nd time now. This is amazing! Thank you for all the work and research.!

[@hugofolch876]

The fact that you are making that type of video are the undisputable proof that YOU are the G.O.A.T. youtube guitar related content creator

[@andihentschel899]

Absolutely fantastic! Besides the very cool gear related insights this shows how important the playing technique, what people call “the hands”, is in order to get close to the original recordings. And rarely does anyone nail the essential EVHisms, like his amazing dynamics and most importantly the unbelievable swing, like you do here. For a long time EVH fan and an admirer of your work, this is truly a joy to watch and listen to.

[@garyh35]

I think you got as close as your gonna get to the SOUND. Nice! That last 10% is the attack and feel coming from his heart. There is only one EDDIE, he did it.

[@guywhoisaguy67676]

I just started watching and noticed right away you are sticking to the rules. Don't when playing Eddie. You open with "Aint talk'n" and play it waaaay too stiff and super slow. but it is correct. Training will do that to ya. Now I'll run your ads and watch the rest.

[@slpsteve2618]

When you started playing your JMP 50w, the recording really sounded great. Like EXTREME HI FI tone…. ⚡️😎 ⚡️

[@wea69420]

Ok i just started laughing and swearing loudly when the intro came in. If I wasn't paying attention I'd be sure you were miming to a track. Amazing.

[@PeteThorn]

😎

[@vincemendoza28]

I think it is safe to say you gentlemen have pulled the sword from the stone. Excellent work.

[@stuartredd8876]

Keep on Deep-Divin' guys, and don't feel like you need to shy away from rabbit-holes. Probably why most of us are here! Epic video.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@clintjames7327]

9 MONTHS LATER AND IM BACK FOR MORE

[@flashy5150]

I really thought that the fat cap made the biggest difference all together. I can really hear a fatness change and mild volume change. So many other things go into EVH’s sound too, like what pedals he was plugged into, what inputs/outputs, patch cables etc. I love the way EVH’s sound is really sensitive but is very, almost clean, and edgy on the lower notes. It’s basically like plugging into the clean channel of an amp, getting the best, clearest clean tone, then cranking it up to get speaker distortion.

[@overtone85]

Funny how this comes out just when I am tinkering with almost exactly the same setup!!! 41:12

[@Polentaccio]

Ha! I think we all are ..not trying to ace it but currently trying to slave and mess with this bugera 1960 I picked up to get in the ballpark.

[@Polentaccio]

Ha! I think we all are ..not trying to ace it but currently trying to slave and mess with this bugera 1960 I picked up to get in the ballpark.

[@schrodingcheshirecat]

Mr. Thorn, Eddie is smiling down right now. Phenomenal.

[@michaelmcauliffe638]

Maybe you have already done this , but if not , I would like to see a deep dive comparing Eddie's tone side- by-side with Randy's on Tribute.

[@nordic2112]

Thanks for putting the work in to make this video. Even I learned something 😂. I own the '71 superlead that used to belong to Brett Garsed.

[@gregeaster2479]

Pete, I know you don't have a clue who I am man, but I'm a big fan of your channel, and I am THE biggest EVH and VH fan on planet Earth 🌎, I know I am I have been since I heard them on vinyl in 78 . My kids, grandchildren, and every person that knows m, knows that fact about me. This is kinda like ELVIS impersonator's, they usually go over the top and put too much into it, or not enough, there's always something missing . Brother you fuck'n nailed it, seriously I'm 54, and VH has been the soundtrack of my life since they're 1st album, 11 concerts 5 DLR yrs 6 Sammy yrs and never heard it from anyone else or anywhere else till now. THANK YOU

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks Greg!!

[@jorgemery5568]

You're a lucky person, i'm 15 and i got into VH since Eddie passed, and man, i would fucking pay anything to born in the 60's and go to every concert of VH, unfortunately im from latinoamerica and there's no possible way to see VH live😔😔😔

[@latonpowers5356]

Like how you played Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing” towards the end. JK.

[@deanofrankenstein6391]

This is officially one of my favorite videos I've ever watched on youtube. Well done, Pete & Dave!

[@jamesrickmanguitar]

I still watch this all the time. Best vid you ever made, next to the vai and mick mars jose marshalll vids. WE NEED MORE OF THESE

[@curtisrichards1903]

You’re the best Pete! You really are helping everyone see that we can all emulate EVH and while yes he was a wizard there are some clear steps that can be taken to get us mortals one step closers.

[@TechMetalRules]

As someone whose first exposure to Van Halen "gear" was from the Curt Mitchell instructional VHS... ...this is incredible.

[@xray5niner1]

Man….. great video!! What a fantastic deep dive into the legend’s tone. What a fitting tribute to a man that has inspired so many of us.

[@jayjayripoff]

Coming back to this, after Wolfgang played at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute show. 45 years after the recording of, 11 years before I was born, and still here I am, chasing it .....

[@WillKellyHardKnocksGtrs]

I think you missed a big variable, the "slanted" humbucker ... it sounds different tonally than a straight perpendicular mounted humbucker ....

[@robschaller9061]

The one thing I truly appreciate about your vids is that you clearly understand that your ability as a player comes from the MOST important things. Your hands, your heart, and your mind. You can have 2 equally skilled players playing on the exact same setup and they WILL NOT sound the same. As Carlos Santana has famously stated, sound comes from your hands, not your gear. Because of that TRUTH I've NEVER understood why some players get really weird about other people knowing what their setup is, what gear they use etc...

[@underskillednunderpaid]

It’s both. Of course I can’t argue with sound coming from your hands but the amplifier and the guitar you use definitely makes a difference in how The sound is perceived

[@rickamadeo4187]

Absolutely fantastic. We hear talk about the gear and the mods, but to actually hear the sound on the plexi demoed individually and together. Most importantly, it's played brilliantly!

[@PeteThorn]

Thank u

[@SamLibman]

This is the absolute best possible “tribute” to the king. The attention to detail and clear explanations and examples make this video just stand above all else. Thank you so much did this brother. Edward would be very proud. 🧡

[@PeteThorn]

Thank you Sam!

[@barrymiller2272]

Wow, i must be a super geek! Watched the entire video. Totally/tonally cool. Pete...great playing!

[@MaciejStelmach]

Please clone this sound using kemper profiler and sell me those profiles!!!! It's historical achivement what you've done! Wooow! Congratulations

[@JimSlimjimCassi]

Being a long time player, and a EVH fan from day 1 in 78", I would like to say great video. My 1st impression would be that the 50 watt head sounded the best, and although both Marshall's were halla noisy, so were Ed's as you can here in the live Pasadena Civic Center recording. 1st time hearing this recording, i couldn't believe how noisy his rig was. The Boss GE-10 did seem to make a big improvement to the overall tone, and the Sunset Sound verb was the icing on the cake. I also own a 1976 Marshall 4x12 with the black backs, and it sounds amazing, and use old DiMarzio SD 100's in my 80's Kramer guitars. one is a late 70's and the other is a early 80's model, both sound great, but the 70's version is a bit more bright. Not sure if it's my ears but, some parts sound to me as if he used a Strat with single coils on some of the rhythm parts, ( I know he didn't ) ... lol it sounded very Strat snappy, poppy tone, not sure if it was just the maple neck or what, but sometimes i can get a very close EVH tone using my Strat on some of the rhythm parts. Anyways, sorry for the ramble, and Thanks again for the upload, I know KZbin did this audio an injustice.

[@PeteThorn]

He occasionally did use a strat! I think "women in love" intro was a strat... "Finish What Ya Started:"...

[@JimSlimjimCassi]

@@PeteThorn Great that you responded, I would love to have a buddy close to home to sit and chat VH tones and what not. I was talking about a slight Strat single coil tone on the 1st LP, I know he played about everything under the sun on later recordings.

[@jatin7361]

Tremendous job, Pete. Your admiration, respect, and even reverence for EVH is so evident in your passion for the art he gifted us all. You honor him with your contributions to the guitar community and that inspires me to keep grabbing my six-string and cranking it up. Rock on, Pete, and long live the memory of the master.

[@PeteThorn]

Thank you!

[@tristanavakian]

Dammit that is perfect. Not possible to get any closer, it’s like standing in the room with him while he was recording it.

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks man!

[@aaronarchermusic]

Excellent job all the way; tone chasing, playing, editing. I got to the part where you switch on the Sunset Sound verb and said out loud "Facking 'ell!" 😆

[@steelwarrior105]

Ain't talking about love is such a nasty heavy riff

[@UndersackitchFungalbollock]

From what ive read Eddies left toenail was left uncut affecting his balance which ultimately effected his tone.

[@joeloschiavo1237]

This is SUPERB AWESOME INSANE PETE FREAKIN THORN

[@joeloschiavo1237]

Still watching A Year Later Brother Nerd

[@odgeUK]

I've put Super Distortions in two Alder-body strats and on both occasions it's transformed the attack on those guitars to something that immediately makes me think of the 1st VH album. There's a sizzle, and a tightness thing that happens on the low-e string that is recognisable to me.

[@paulcowart3174]

Yeah I like alder Ash(swamp) can be thin sounding but w a hot pick up sorta fixes that maybe But yes alder and Mahagoney for me

[@curtisprice9806]

Should have sounded like Dave Murry in an alder strat and stock Marshall Superlead...to the "T"!

[@stevestarr6395]

Agreed. There's a certain attack and sizzle with ceramic magnets!

[@maripido]

Now, please capture all that goodness into a Kemper profile and share! Hehe

[@timburle4980]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@traditional50shightech30]

Please

[@totc6196]

Please