The “Brown Sound" Quest Van Halen II

A deep dive into the guitar sound on Van Halen's 2nd album - guitars, pickups, amplifier, speakers, and recording techniques.

[@willdenham]

Jim, what you call 'Rambling' I treat as gold. There is nothing in any of your brown sound vids that is unnecessary content or in need of edit. This is advanced art history.

[@jegauss]

Ha! Thank you, Will!

[@jamesstewart1794]

​@@jegausshow do you keep the black and white guitar in tune so well.

[@jegauss]

@@jamesstewart1794 I actually did a video about that. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJi2Zpp3nraGi9E

[@freegee3503]

​​@@jegauss I agree with Will! But could you play Ed's licks and melodies for an hour... (It's okay if you repeat phrases) and post it so us Ed nerds could have some non-stop audible bliss? I will pay you! 😉👍

[@mikefiedler8813]

I think this is clearly the Holy Grail of recreating the brown sound. You've done an outstanding job and I can't thank you enough.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Mike! Very much appreciated, and thank you for watching!

[@scootscoot4694]

Nice gt40 pfp

[@humanactivated1017]

Definitely the best recreation of the brown sound including of Pete thorn . Too many people think they get one if those new EavH Frankenstein copies and a 5150 amp which isn’t even close

[@crsantin]

Jesus dude this is as close as I've ever heard. Playing and tone. Spot on. Incredible man. I love your stuff.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Carlo! I really appreciate it. And, thanks for watching!

[@robbrooks693]

There used to be a dude name Ralle from the Marshall forums (or maybe it was the Metro forums) that got the closest that I've ever heard. Then a dude that went by the username rockstah (guitar player for Jefferson Starship) in the Metro forums got obsessed and got really really close as well but unfortunately, he passed away. Jim, this is a level of dedication to tone that I haven't seen in a long time. Congrats, the tone sounds fantastic!

[@jegauss]

@@robbrooks693 Thanks Rob! very much appreciated.

[@Murphy_R9]

@@robbrooks693 Ah yes Mark abrahmian(Rockstah)was such a talent! That guy had the touch on a guitar! for the old VH tone don't forget a dude Named "STRAT 78" from metro forums. I still have his clips and he got really close.

[@frankrichards3089]

Really close

[@willdenham]

I just love that soft interlude on 'Light Up the Sky'. I used to pick up the needle on my vinyl copy and replay it over and over.

[@jegauss]

Me too!

[@michaelmarquis1824]

I played that part so wrong when I was a teen.

[@johnfatorich3494]

Had to watch again! This is pure gold. JIM YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THIS. You've done Ed proud. Would love to hear Wolf's take on this👍👍

[@jegauss]

Thanks John! Very kind words...I appreciate it.

[@bls8959]

Who cares what wolf has to say...he'd pry whine and cry my father's legacy blah blah

[@IggyB-Music]

@@bls8959 hate bait

[@johncalderon6225]

Once again Jim, you’ve hit nail on the head with your playing, tone and swing! Ed would be proud. Thus, I really enjoy your videos for the broad sense of information you possess on EVH, his playing, gear and tech. Thank you very much, sir.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, John! Thanks for watching my "stuff." Very much appreciated!

[@donnievazquez3319]

Dude! I LOVE this deep dive! Unlike most, you seem to have cracked the code. Lots of people get close, some are just delusional, you are on point! Subscribed and dying for a Fair Warning video.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Donnie! Fair Warning is in the works. Lotsa new stuff to go over with that one...

[@allboutthemojo]

@@jegauss you play EVH's stuff so well. Do you do " how to play instructional video's "?

[@jegauss]

@@allboutthemojo Thank you! You know, I don't do any of the "how to play" videos. I'm probably a rotten teacher...😉. Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll touch on some of this...

[@jamesfrisa2043]

Great job!You've obviously spent thousands of hours on this stuff,which is appreciated.EVH fanatic since 78'.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, James!

[@scottdunn2178]

I think Jim could use a few thousand hours in therapy...

[@Keepmelevel]

I’ve listen to Van Halen all my life and when you play these riffs my ears light up Edward Van Halen was a master at his craft and when I hear these rifs I hear the real genius in his playing. All the VH albums from 84’ down I love all the songs and love too hear them… Your playing sounds just like him! Hell yeah! Keep up the good work!✌🏽

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Steve! Very much appreciated!

[@cmcken1]

I used to play in Diver Down - VH Tribute band out of Boston. During the time spent building amps in Framingham with Bedrock, what we were told was that, on VH2, Ed said that he dumped the loads (dummy) that Jose had built due to their being a nasty x-fmr buzzy / fizzy sound. Ed told a guy in LA that he ran the stack normally - without the dummy load setup. It's a fully, more woody-toned / full cabinet thump type of tone. Then on Women and Children First and Fair Warning - he'd dumped the Jose resistor load box and began running the Palmer rack mount speaker simulator that I used and still use for even my own rig setup with my own heads that I made. I've been running load boxes myself since the 80s so that, even as a teen, I could dime the amp and not have the police show up to practice sessions. Somewhere, there's an excellent interview in one of the old 80s guitar magazines sporting Ed's comments on using a dry, cranked amp setup on the second album along with some changes / mods. Cheers, CM

[@stephenmiller5023]

I think I just stumbled onto one of the most informative and best EVH videos about how he played & what he played through EVER!! Thanks Jim for taking the time to put this all together & post it . Sorry it took me a year to find it …🤨. 😆👍. R.I.P. Eddie , & thanks for some really great tunes & memories. May your guitars always be just enough outta tune to be “ Tuned right for you in the hereafter “

[@jegauss]

Hey Stephen! Thank you and thanks for watching! If you get a chance, check out the VH 1, WACF and Fair Warning videos, too. I've got some additional "addendum" videos that go along with those, also...currently working on 1984, so hopefully, that one will be out sooner than later. Thanks again!

[@monkeyfinger7949]

You blew my mind! I feel like I went to a college master class of the Van Halen sound. What a fantastic demo! Thank you!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@mydebaser3336]

The most enjoyable class I've ever taken. Sincerely, thank you, Professor "Tone."

[@jegauss]

Ha! Love it! "Professor Tone." Thank you for attending class!

[@100chuckjones]

My favorite VH album. As a fellow guitar player, I'm really digging your videos man. Super accurate (sonically speaking).

[@bgibson70]

Glad I found this channel! You are a genius on getting his tone and an awesome player. Sounds exactly like the original recordings !

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very, very kind words. Thank you for watching!

[@stevethormod6279]

Very impressive! Across the board. Tone spot on My favorite album as well. His darkest vibe and best tone imo. You really nail the feel which , as we all know, is the hardest part! 👏🏽

[@stevethormod6279]

I meant the fair warning post you did! Duh. Sorry, I dig all the deep dives !

[@joshramsey6893]

Gorgeous bumblebee in the background. Awesome video.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Josh!

[@joshramsey6893]

Jim, could I ask if I could use the opening lick in your video for a video I’m making about a set Van Halen door handles I made from steel? I would of course give you credit and link to your great video.

[@jegauss]

@@joshramsey6893 Sure....no problem.

[@rosamercuri6033]

Your sound is practically identical, the best I heard ever & you can definitely play! Thank you so much for posting!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@1DerekMiracle]

@@jegauss Best down the best tone i've heard anyone recreate! You're a genius Jim!! This is incredible!

[@jegauss]

@@1DerekMiracle Thank you Derek! Very kind words! If you haven't done so already, go check out my other Brown Sound Quest videos - you might get a kick out of those, too. Thank you for watching!

[@frankrichards3089]

Women In Love is a brilliantly written and plated song. Taps, arpeggio intro, interesting voicings. Awesome great job on this video Jim!

[@razeeirad976]

Thank you for posting these videos.This is the best series I have ever seen on the brown sound. Your playing and feel is spot on. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and research !!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! And, thanks for watching!

[@billknudson7895]

I had major surgery a few weeks ago. These videos have provided a wonderful escape during my recovery. Back in the mid-eighties I lived in central NJ and got to spend a lot of time chatting with the legendary Ken Fischer in his shop. He had some amazing insights into Ed’s sound. I was never a pretender to the Van Halen throne. My playing style went in a different direction. But listening to that amazing tone and his virtuoso playing was always inspiring regardless of what style I was playing. These videos have given all of us the chance to “crawl around” inside of the components that made up Ed’s captivating sound. In the end, though, it’s all in the hands, and that’s what really makes these videos such a pleasure to listen to. Thanks, again, for taking the time to share your research.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Bill! I would've loved to hear Ken Fischer's take on Ed and his tones...😉 Pretty cool stuff! Hope your recovery is going well, and thank you for watching!

[@maxmenius9839]

A superb technical breakdown & song demos. Jim is a serious expert on the Van Halen sound.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Max!

[@ruggie.74]

for the love of god please ask a subscriber to buy you a tonex so that you can capture these sounds for us. your curation needs to be shared with everyone. this is important art history. you have done otherworldly work with this and i am speechless. please get tonex.

[@warmoth68]

Amazing, You’ve found the tone at the end of the Rainbow! Fascinating to say the least..👍

[@jegauss]

Thanks, Scott!

[@thomasgwilliams7957]

Great job Jim! I have Ed's tones ingrained in my head and you have gotten very close on analog gear listening through my monitors. Thanks man!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Thomas! Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@michaelwade379]

Nerd level is x1000! Jim this is absolutely fantastic, could watch this series all day. Such a fun look into Ed's magical tone and the ins and outs of achieving it (or any cool tone really). Great stuff!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Michael! I appreciate it, and thank you for watching!

[@jamiew.lacroix7055]

HOLY SH*T BATMAN JIM'S DONE IT AGAIN, you sir a true devotee to the Van Halen legacy I just can't thank you enough for all your hard work. Your deserve a great big AWESOME Thank You from us all.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Jamie! Very kind words - I appreciate it!

[@rdmkeytohwy]

Women In Love is such a great song. What your work is showing all of us is how good all of the songs were on the first six albums. Some of the best rock music ever and his tone and sound were very distinctive and unique. What you are doing is such a treat to see and hear. Not sure thank you is enough. Great stuff!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Thanks for watching and thanks for the feedback. I very much appreciate it!

[@jjcollins]

Hi Jim! I saw you on Tone Talk with Marc and Dave a few days ago. I've never seen any of your videos until yesterday, but man, I gotta tell you, your playing, tone, gear etc is SO on point! For all the VH nerds that have been on the "tone quest" for decades, believe me, we THANK YOU : ). Honestly these have been some of the closest sounds, tones and tips that I have seen! Thank you for doing what you do!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, JJ! Thanks for checking out all of the videos...that's a lot of my rambling to sit through 😉 !

[@cscoioscscoios2768]

Amazing job, Jim! Really enjoyed both Brown Sound deep dives. You are a wealth of information. I thought I knew a lot about EVH, playing guitar for over 30 years; Ed has been an inspiration for so many of us. You playing, equipment, and knowledge is spot on!! Would love you to continue this series and see more with the next two albums, Women and Children and Fair Warning. Thank you for your time in sharing this with us all.

[@jegauss]

Thank you so much! I very much appreciate the kind words. Stay tuned, I'm working on the Fair Warning video...

[@dustinscott5628]

I just found your series.. I love what you've done here, this is all gold. Thank you for being so meticulous!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Dustin! Thanks for watching!

[@ronnienose8608]

Beautifully done and the closest anyone that I've heard get so close to Ed's sound. Nice one mate!

[@jegauss]

Thanks, Ronnie!

[@richards6065]

This is the best channel on KZbin hands down!!!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks again, Richard!

[@SWhite-mb4ow]

Damn man, I haven't heard anyone get as close to the sound and technique as your doing! Excellent job! I've been trying for years off and on to get close to his sound. Obviously miking the cabinet and running it through the mixes is the only way to get it close, pretty much sums it up. I've figured that for awhile now. Wished I could run straight into head and out of the cab get that exact tone, LOL! Again, excellent job man!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very much appreciated! And yes, although there isn't a lot of "studio magic" that happens, in addition to the sum of all of the parts before the signal hits the mics, the way the mics "hear" it, is different than how our ears hear it. Therefore, getting that sound "in the room," can be done, but it you try to play with that sound live, it won't come out of the PA the same way...it's a vicious circle! 😉 Thanks again for watching!

[@carlossalazar4508]

I made a fractal preset using your advice on the amps and Sonics and I must say it’s pretty darn close. Thanks again!!

[@enzzthefink]

The sound is fkn amazing !! You totally nail the tones in these videos like nobody before. I commend thee for the time and the effort you put into these killer videos and also on cost the that must have gone into your enviable gear collection. Thanks again 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Love watching your videos! I'm learning lots! Thanks!!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks, Greg! Thanks for watching!

[@charliepille9600]

Please keep posting about this stuff!!!!

[@jegauss]

I will. I'm working on some Fair Warning "stuff" right now....

[@qua7771]

I never thought that you ramble. All of the dialogue was pertinent, and on topic. Well presented!

[@jegauss]

Thanks A.R., I appreciate that! I have to edit these things, so.....let's just say there's a lot of that "rambling" that might end up on the cutting room floor." 😉

[@qua7771]

@@jegauss Not many tech videos hold my attention this well. With my short span of attention, I was able to stay glued to the content (that is saying a lot, lol). Therese a nice mix of music, and data that keep it entertaining. Keep up whatever you are doing.

[@tomkrell3402]

killer TONE!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Tom!

[@danvolpe6609]

Jim, you absolutely kill it! Another great vid, great research, and great playing!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Dan! Very much appreciated, and glad you liked it!

[@markdade1250]

You really did it man! Nice work. This is the best most informational educational complete video that covers all the VH inside methods, equipment and little known VH custom modifications and trade secrets on You Tube. How incredibly amazing! Wow man really appreciate you sharing your incredible knowlege and experience with all of us. Thank you for your inspiration and contribution to the world of music and keeping Eddie Van Halen and rock n roll alive and well. How long did it take you get those van halen songs down like that? No easy task. You're awesome! 🤘😎

[@jegauss]

Thank you Mark! Very, very kind words! As far as how long it took to play this stuff...well, I started trying to learn his stuff back when it first came out in '78. So, it's been a long, long time (of course, I was learning how to actually play the guitar, too). I grew up with Ed's style, and with him at he forefront of guitar playing, so you could probably say that I've been "heavily influenced" by almost all that he's done - I do have other influences, but he's the main one. Thanks again for watching! I don't know if you checked out my Van Halen 1 video, but if not, it's loaded with more good info. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b362pGeeZbOifpo

[@joelrosenau4505]

Been watching youtube videos since the beginning. This is far and away one of the very best ever. The amount of time and effort puting together the equipment, practicing and the money to get to the point even before the video was created is practically immeasurable. Then the video compresses literally years of work into mere minutes of fantastic viewing pleasure. Great job and thanks for creating these videos. Superb!!

[@jegauss]

WOW! I very much appreciate the kind words, and of course, your recognition as to what goes into something like this! Thank you so much, and thank you for watching!

[@ToneNerdPickups]

I subscribe the speculation of it being rewound hot around 14k like the custom Line that Seymour originally offered as the EVH recipe, but with the original magnet from a 61 PAF that would have had a high probability of being a short A5 magnet. The short A5’s have the clarity of the long A5 but warmer and more mids.

[@jegauss]

Agreed 100%. I didn't want to get too technical (I rambled a lot, but left out some of those details), but that's what I put in that old Dimarzio Super D. It's a rough cast, short A5.

[@BRaymondVan]

Someone on youtube has a video where they took a photo of the shark guitar. They blew it up to life size and measured the magnet because you could see it. Then they got a gibson chart that measured or showed the length of the different magnets short verse long. The magnet is the long magnet. It may have been an A8 From the super 70 or an A5 . Who knows! Look for the video and if you find it post it here. I hope this helps.

[@5150show]

Absolutely brilliant thank you

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@timgosselin6984]

Wow, fantastic Jim - thanks much! The harmonizer truly adds that unique dimension, super cool to hear that effect off and on. I thought Beautiful Girls sounded nearly exact. Did you change the Marshall’s bias for the 71 volts or roll with the same bias adjustment from the VHI videos?

[@jegauss]

Thanks Tim! Yep, the Eventide H910 is a huge part of the Van Halen Sound, from Van Halen II on. As far as the Marshall bias - no, no change. It stays the same. I do believe that the "cold bias" that the low voltage setting creates, is an integral part of how that amp sounds...thanks again for watching!

[@blindwhitey9189]

Thanks for asking about the biasing. I was going to ask the same question. 👍

[@nice-guit-ride]

Thanks for show us. Nice tones and tricks.

[@AndyK.23]

Amazingly accurate playing and tones! I personally think the second album was even darker than the tone you are getting. Almost like Ed was in the mixing room and said "lower the presence more". Just night and day different from the first album. I also wonder if a master volume was added in there (that photo of the amp in the studio recording the second album with that knob on the back), further darkening the tone?

[@jegauss]

Hey Andy, Thank you! And Thanks for watching...If you made it through to the "recording process" section (I know, that's a big ask - it's at the end of my ramblings, and takes a chunk of time to get there), I address that I might be a bit too bright. I demonstrate approximately a 1db drop on the "high-end" and the tone darkens (in my opinion) considerably, with just that minor change. So much of this is subjective, depends on the vinyl version vs the digital (itunes) version, speakers / earbuds you're listening to, etc...for example, when I listen to this with my apple airpods, it's almost too dark, but in my Sony studio headphones, it's too brite - the flat studio monitors sound about right, and the Klipsch reference monitors I have in the room, sound a little too dark, the car stereo sounds pretty good....anyway, what I'm trying to say, is that I'm really making a compromise and a judgement call...a half inch move in a microphone would achieve the same thing. So, although I always like that theory of the white knob on the back of the amp, I don't think there's any hint (tone-wise) of a MV. I almost think that white plastic "post" sticking out of the back of that amp, looks more like a wall dimmer you'd find in your house. I've always wondered if he was trying to install a dimmer in the amp, to replace the variac. He's stated that he tried a light dimmer before he went to the surplus store to get the variac....but, who knows?! More about the brightness - I sort of touched on why I may have erred on the brighter side - I downloaded some backing tracks (without Ed), and played with them, and in the mix when I was messing with blending my guitar with those original backing tracks, you'd be amazed what that 1db bump in the high-end did to make the guitar fit better in the mix - I should've included that in the video, but I was already getting to that 45 minute mark...and again, all of this is really subjective on my part. But hey, we're having fun, right? I very much appreciate the feedback and your thoughts...stay tuned, I just started messing with the Fair Warning tones...😉

[@curtisprice9806]

I thought the same...but when I turned my Stylo3 phone pointing away from my ears to the blankets on my bed..the overt brightness and fuzziness went away....just as I thought. Moving the microphone (the author of this vid recommended) achieved the same sonic results. My two cents input to this post that I agreed with...peace

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

Very interesting- for me the Logic Recording info is extremely helpful. Nice work Jim - I will be sure to check out your other post

[@tonyv5202]

Man you have blown me away. You have captured the tone and the feeling of Eds music. It's beautiful. I'm beaming with ❤😁

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Tony! Very kind words - I appreciate it.

[@jack63bentt]

Excellent job Jim with "Women In Love" absolutely flawless !!!!!!! wow. So damn jealous is me, lol

[@jegauss]

Ha! Thank you, Daniel!

[@scottrap]

Listening to you play Eddie’s licks brings a smile to my face. Thank god I saw VH live on eight different occasions. The first time being the 1980 Invasion and the last was the Jimmy Kimmel show

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I'm glad...I saw them in '79 on that first, headlining, world tour. It was life changing for me. Twice on the Fair Warning tour in '81, 1984 & F.U.C.K. - So, I think it was only 5 times for me.

[@scottrap]

@@jegauss I saw them on Fair Warning as well at the Los Angeles sports Arena. Probably their most amazing show! I also went two nights in a row for Diver Down, 1984, 2007 and 2012 reunions with Dave, and the Kimmel Show. I definitely started playing guitar because of Ed. I always sat on his side of the stage and studied him thoroughly. He did many of those trademark jumps right in my face. I can still remember how young he was in the early days. It’s hard to believe he’s gone

[@jegauss]

@@scottrap Great stuff! They were amazing live...loved every minute of it.

[@ChrisLeaton.]

I’ve really enjoyed watching these. Thank you sir for sharing them with us.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Chris! I'm glad you watched!

[@stillchasintone_oldschool6862]

I have an original 78 super distortion in my bridge and a PAF in my neck position.. in a stealth black Jackson dinky with a ebony fingerboard and fu toned.. it’s all that 80’s thing and more .. loved your video and good heart

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very kind! You're taking me down memory lane! First the Mesa and now the Dinky! Another instrument that I sold off.......

[@20cenctstyle]

Anyone remember a 1975ish guitar player article where S.Duncan says his J. B. (jazz-blues) was made from a diagnostic evaluation of Jeff Becks blow by blow Les Paul he did ?

[@jegauss]

I remember a story something like that, but I don't think it came from the Les Paul. I thought that Seymour had his JB prototypes on that "Tele-GiB" that he gave to Jeff Beck...? But I do know, or have read that Jeff Beck was definitely involved in the JB story....

[@longotown]

Jim - THANK YOU SO MUCH! absolutely love it - you nail it all so well with great explanations & detail narrative. I totally appreciate the "rambling" - its not rambling to us - it is golden information. I have been on the EVH trail since 78, tracked down Jose and had a 68 plexi modded by him in the mid 80's. Quite a story, and took me 9 months to get my amp back, but i was in line behind some pretty known players. Anyway thank you again, because only tone chasers truly understand the effort it takes to do what you are doing here. We all benefit greatly! THANKS AGAIN - Ralph

[@jegauss]

Thank you! And you're absolutely welcome! And yeah, I see the my "ramblings" before I edit them...you should see the stuff that ends up on the "cutting room floor" - that's probably why I call them what I do 😉 But seriously, thanks for watching! The only Jose amp I ever owned was a 1970, metal face, 1959T. It had the diode clipping, Jose master volume "thingy" installed. It was all encased in a blue shrink, tubing and then filled with epoxy. It was cool, and it was really useful, but I think now, that I would find it way too "fizzy?" I guess through the years, I've moved further and further away from "gain mods." The more I've recorded over the years, I've learned that cleaner comes off on "tape" so much better than the more gainy type of tones....anyway, I think that's cool that you did the Jose route - I know that after Ed mentioned him in that Guitar Player interview in 1980, It was next to impossible to get work done - I've heard quite a few stories, and now some other guys that went through the long wait like you did... - jim

[@JimWinstrand]

NAILED it! Very good playing as well. thank you for doing this Jim.

[@jegauss]

Thanks, J Dub! Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!

[@marko6831]

I came across you due to the Tone Talk vid and followed you across and instantly subscribed. Great research and stunning playing. Total respect.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Mark! Thanks for jumping on, and thanks for watching!

[@freddyhoooh65]

really gratelly fascinating you know i feel i have been whatching a grate moovie astonishing!!

[@puppet-m]

yep been down that rabbit hole!!! even tracked down and bought original emt 140 plate reverb that was used in sunset back in the day! had 7-8 old marshall amp heads 2 echoplexes and 2 of the other echos which I came to find out were used on on fire for the echos. wish he had used sunset and all that old stuff on his last album! you have to also find the older flanger with bias adjustment in it. and adjust the phaser 90 bias in it to.

[@knightfall9394]

I like what you did with the outta love again solo, had your own take on parts of it and still kept the vibe. Thats still in the spirit of evh too because you went for it in the moment

[@jegauss]

Thanks! Yeah, it's a "wing-it" kinda take...thank you for watching!

[@gsmeeuwsen]

Amazing job, Sir!!! Your playing, craftmanship, and research are incredible!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Greg!

[@doug.heartstringssound]

Holy Cow Jim! This deep dive was fantastic, a great follow-up to #1. Women in Love was my 1st favorite song of Eddie's! I'm so glad you went into the deep details on this song. This sounded spot on again. Your research and knowledge of this material and all the equipment is absolutely amazing! Thank you for your work here and I can't wait to hear the next.

[@jegauss]

Thanks again, Doug! I really appreciate that you're watching my "ramblings."

[@doug.heartstringssound]

@@jegauss yes, but your ramblings are music to my ears. You should have seen my wife's eyes roll when I shared with her my excitement coming across your videos and Eddie content. Even though she "tolerates" my love for Eddie's playing and skills, she still manages to give me wonderful gifts like Van Halen complete song catalog with tabs and notes for each song and Christmas she gave me a great framed Eddie plaque. I can't get enough of him. I'd love to be able to play his riffs and licks like you.

[@jegauss]

@@doug.heartstringssoundHa! as far as the wife goes, mine rolls her eyes at my playing all the time. Whether, doing mine own stuff, or the VH thing, or whatever...it's ok, they just don't understand what drives that side of us...all good. 😉

[@vedodesantis4414]

Same here Jim I don't mind to rambling I don't care if it's 2 and 1/2 hours long it's golden information it sounds great by the way thanks a lot for what you do and bringing us the Eddie Van Halen sound thank you

[@marcobiolcati]

Most accurate VH sound ever!!!!!!! Great video and playing!!!!!!!

[@tandlerguitars3721]

Very well done and cool playing! Concerning the Duncan pickup: as far as I can remember from some 80's advertisements the original Duncan serial "EVH" pickup had been the "Customcustom" - means a Duncan Custom with an AlnicoV instead of the Ceramic magnet of the Custom. I myself played this pickup for about 30 years and can tell it has less compression compared to an JB pickup. To break it down: PAF bobbins, AlnicoV magnet, about 12,5k resistance with a 43 gauge wire. The JB's measure around 17k. Concerning the original Frankenstrat pickup I still have an EVH interview in a 1980 or '81 German magazine done by Steven Rosen where Eddie claims that he himself rewound his original PAF wit a 43 gauge wire up to the brim.

[@chandlerclement1365]

Wow, I learned so much from this video that I’ve never even heard of before. Never knew he used a wireless unit in the studio. And I gotta get me a JB now. Thanks so much!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Chandler! This is the only album, of the original group (I think) that he used the wireless on. And, if you get the JB, make sure you get the "Antiquity JB. It makes a difference. The standard production version is kind of over the top, and just "too much" of the JB sound.

[@chandlerclement1365]

That’s good to know, thank you. Also loved seeing the mixing / backend side of things this time around, super helpful for me.

[@jegauss]

@@chandlerclement1365 Glad you liked it!

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

You done it again Jim, amazing!

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@chuckn3579]

Congratulations Jim. This is by far the best I've seen for representing the VH sound. I've heard others try on utube but they never got this close. Great job. I wish I lived closer so I could check out your band.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Chuck! Very much appreciated! If you get a chance, and have some time (I know these videos are long), you should go check out my other Brown Sound Quest videos. You might get a kick out of those, too. I have one for the first album and Fair Warning - and should have WACF completed fairly soon!

[@rastadarrin]

@@jegauss " and should have WACF completed fairly soon! " Jim, that WACF video release timeline info is exactly why I'm here😎 How long exactly is "Fairly Soon" ??? Sorry for being a pain, but I completely enjoy your playing, your VH album videos, and all the nerdy/geeky VH guitars, amp & recording info🤘 Really looking forward to WACF!!!

[@jegauss]

@@rastadarrin Damn! I'm sorry....I know, I'm so far behind where I wanted to be on this one...life kinda got in the way these past couple of months...but, I have been working on it. I've got a lot of the video / audio complete, and I've been doing a ton of testing / experimenting...this one has been really tough. There's something very, very different about the guitar sound on this album. Trust me, I've tried every configuration, amp / tubes / speaker / guitar / pedalboard / voltage / mic placement / etc., Anyway, again, my apologies. I'm getting there - I have the acoustic stuff done, the keyboard thru Marshall done, the reverse tape tora tora done (with explosion), simple rhyme intro done, I'm just really down to fine tuning the "electric guitar tone." I won't give you that time line, but I'm really close!

[@rastadarrin]

@@jegauss Thanks for the update…I know it’ll be great when you’re finished with it🤘🏻

[@VanHalenIsolated]

I’ve probably commented so many times on your videos (as my name before I created my Van Halen iso tracks channel) but I just have to say one more time: thank you for showing how it’s really done. The variac lower than 80 volts (65-75 volts) makes a world of difference. I thought that there was never enough gain on a Plexi for the brown sound until I went to 68 volts. There’s almost too much gain lol. It helps having a proper pickup, and proper speakers (greenbacks will never do you wrong with Van Halen; I have the g12m 20 watt and JBL for VH1 tone and the g12h 30 watt 75hz for the Van Halen 2 and Fair Warning tone). I can’t wait for a 1984 tone Brown Sound Quest (Skip Diver Down for now please lol). I think 1984 is the first true album he does the wet/dry/wet or wet/dry but with way less detune than the Hagar years wet/dry/wet tone. There’s so many theories as to what pickup was used in his guitar. Seymour Duncan ‘59? Also, every song is standard tuning except Panama. Flying V On non-tremolo songs, and recently I heard that he used the Frankie for trem songs and not the Kramer (that was for live shows). But again, who knows.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I very much appreciate it! And, I'm glad you listened to me about the variac - it makes a huge difference in how the amp behaves. Most are stuck on the 90 volt thing that's been talked about forever, but as you know now, that probably wasn't the case...the 1984 video is going to be out in days now. Not weeks, but days...so, I should answer most of your questions on '84 with that new vid....stay tuned!

[@gregceltorius4962]

Your videos, ear, knowledge and skills are quite up there brah. Very informative videos on Edweird’s tones. Thanks for the content.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Greg!

[@hlyangel1]

That was stellar! My favorite parts are seeing you play👍 Encore

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Joe!

[@adamkorzon2972]

yes it was bright but I do have mine up a little.For playing with backing tracks.

[@jegauss]

Yep - it's generally a bright tone, overall...

[@vikingmike8139]

Totally in-depth cool, outrageously excellent and the whole nine yards. Best part is, the EVH quest/hunt/reveal will go on as long as there are electric guitars on Earth. Thank you, and thanks to EVH. Cheers!

[@MRTHUDTV]

I think you are right again, with the JB on this one and Dimarzio SD on first album. Just great content here, watched it end to end and will do so again with a couple of friends as a topic at our weekly studio nerd day hahah.. We dont use computers, so almost all analog (with exception of Alesis HD24XR as our multitrack recorders). So much of what you are doing is great input for us.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I'm glad you and the fellow nerds (me included) are getting something out of these videos. I'm working on the next one, although, it's just at the beginning stages. Stay tuned!

[@20cenctstyle]

I love your work on this Ed touched our lives so much! I got the ‘75 destroyer that’s on reverb on my wish list. Just because , ya know 🤘🏼

[@aaronholland5183]

Awesome ! Love the deep dive on all of your vids. Your attention to detail and ability to replicate the tones is truly remarkable. It’s good to know I’m not the only Eddie nerd out there, and thank you for making these videos. I bet the toughest one to nail would be 1984!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Aaron! Yes, you are correct - 1984 is going to be a major challenge!

[@john2357]

Amazing… not only is the sound spot on but you really manage to imitate the extreme ferocity of young Eddies playing, which was particularily pronounced on VH2

[@jegauss]

Thanks again, John! I really do appreciate the kind words! And thanks for watching!

[@doak1851]

I liked the video immediately within the first 30 seconds. Great information and playing. Cheers

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@doak1851]

@@jegauss look forward to watching more.

[@jegauss]

@@doak1851 Working on one for Fair Warning, right now. Have you seen the one for the VH1? If not, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b362pGeeZbOifpo

[@AppleOno]

Great job on this video - I still love VH II as much as the day I first heard it, and you have managed to add a whole new dimension to it! This is like the missing bonus material from the VH II boxed set that should exist. (Now if someone would just make the equivalent companion pieces for drums, bass & vocals!) Just watching the guitar parts played without backing, I am hearing many things I never noticed before, it's totally brand new. And I am even more in awe of Ed's writing & playing. This makes me want the multitrack version of the album more than ever (with not just each instrument, but each track in its own speaker).

[@jegauss]

WOW! Thank you! Very kind!

[@AppleOno]

@@jegauss Are you going to cover any more of their records? If at all possible please do! I think people would want to hear 1984, but I'd love Women and Children First & Diver Down!

[@jegauss]

@@AppleOno I'm almost done with Women and Children - - it's been a beast, and that's why it's taking so long...

[@peterierardi8016]

spot on sound Jim !

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Peter!

[@superbug1977]

Darn fine playing. I am a humble trombone player--but I listen to every instrument on any given song. You obviously have a musician's discernment. And, to the extent that it matters, being nimble on the fretboard in a way that approaches Ed's abilities and style is an awesome thing, really above the norm, fantastic to see and hear. Thanks for the video.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, superbug1977! Those are mighty kind words, and I very much appreciate the words and the understanding / sentiment of your thoughts. It's always great when we fellow musicians recognize those qualities in others - Thank you! And, anybody who describes themselves as a "humble trombone player," is probably that horn player, in that tight horn section, that makes a great band, a killer band! Man, I miss playing with killer horn section - always a blast - but I digress...thank you, again!

[@samg9982]

excellent. you’ve done your work. thank you for sharing.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Sam!

[@jamiegustkey2573]

Man... I knew someone like you existed! 👏🏻 This is how =VH= breakdowns need to happen... 🤟🏻❤️👍🏻

[@jegauss]

Thanks!

[@petercampisi4449]

Just to add to what Jim has shared. I have been doing some pickup swapping in my Ibanez destroyer with a very similar setup as heard in the video, and I am really impressed with the Super distortion and Mighty mite 1300 (ceramic magnet). However, a Mighty Mite 1800 in the same guitar has more push and is woodier. My favorite of the 3. It is definitely a pickup worth checking out. It has that Women in Love woodiness.

[@MaxFury_Official]

This was the guitarsound i was imagining while i did my original song for Eddie, unfortunaly i had to stick to an ampsim. One day perhaps one could reamp.

[@jegauss]

Yeah, amp sims are good for a lot of things, but it's hard to beat the real thing...re-amping could probably be done. Thanks for watching!

[@danielabilez3619]

A great imitation. A sincere approach. A knight on a quest. Thank you for the information. And the Ed music. Journey well sir

[@jegauss]

Thank you, again, Daniel!

[@danielabilez3619]

@@jegauss a pleasure to watch you work sir. Always. A lot of effort, time, and dedication. I am more inspirated

[@BrettVaughn]

Much respect for the passion and dedication that went into this series! Tone and playing are phenomenal! I wish someone would do the same thing with Randy Rhoads studio and live tone. Lots of mystery in that department as well.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Brett! I very much appreciate that! Randy would be a great deep dive, but he's probably a bit out of my wheelhouse. I knew a lot about Ed and his gear and playing style going in to these videos. You'd need an equal "tone fanatic" to do Randy justice....

[@BrettVaughn]

@@jegauss I'd be a good candidate, since I have the RR Marshall, and vintage Altec speakers.. but seeing your videos I'd have to quit my whole life and dedicate a solid month to it haha! Thanks again

[@nicktrierweiler3690]

Great job dude! Pretty much nailed it. My favorite VH album

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Nick!

[@lucabiolzi1767]

Wow, this is awesome! 💥😍 You get into so much detail, and cover every component of His sound. And you're an amazing player as well! You nailed everything not only technically, but... emotionally. I close my eyes and your takes have that FEEL, which is the hardest thing about Eddie as we all know! Do I have to rate these videos? Allright... 10/10. 🔝😉👍🏻Hat down my friend, keep doing it please!!

[@jegauss]

Hey Luca! Thank you! Very kind words and very much appreciated! Thank you for watching!

[@lucabiolzi1767]

@@jegauss you totally deserve each and every word! 👏🏻🔝 And, of course, you earned a new loyal follower! 🤟🏻😉

[@wolfgang5150akevh]

Your sound and performance are cool

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@DavidRodriguez-mp9nh]

Great video. The Schaffer-Vega system was secret sauce for Angus Young as well.

[@jegauss]

Yep. It makes a difference for sure!

[@cbx1168]

Amazing information

[@jegauss]

Thanks for watching!

[@jackhammer893]

Man this sounds wonderful:) Nice work!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@EBMMEVH]

Very cool. Best music ever created. You do a wonderful job both playing and tone. Ed was the GOAT!

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@customx00]

Remarkable. You nailed it! 👏🏻

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@johncecilia4517]

What was the level on the 949 harmonizer on Women in love? Great channel

[@jegauss]

Hey John! Thank you! Hmmmmm....the level on the H910 is kinda hard to relate to something that you can just say "yeah, the knob was at......such and such..." I run it as a send - so it gets it's own effect bus, and then I send the guitar / reverb channels to it. So the "effect" is 100% in the bus, no dry mixed in. I would say the channel send controls are probably set to about -5db and the bus level is probably set to about -18db...I just "feather it in to taste." Too much and it gets to be really, really obvious, and doesn't sound good. Hope that helps?

[@johncecilia4517]

@@jegauss yes thanks

[@angeltorresrodriguez409]

Saludos desde Puerto Rico...excelente presentación...un abrazo respetuoso.

[@MarshallAmpMan]

Thanks so much for your vids! You are the high priest or the Pope of Van Halen world of sound!!!

[@trollguy223]

your setup is so awesome bro i wanna have all of that one day

[@jegauss]

Yeah, there's a lot of "stuff" there....my wife would probably be happy to sell it to you! 😉

[@KoolKatDave]

Great work, Jim, plus I LOVE your wallpaper back there! ;p-)

[@jegauss]

Thank you, KC-Dave! Yep, that's really nice "sound deadening wallpaper." 😉