The Brown Sound Quest

A deep dive into how to achieve the Van Halen 1 Guitar Tone. A detailed account of guitars, amp, speakers, pedals and recording techniques.

[@troygrady]

Man, the tone and vibe are spot on and the playing is fantastic - needs more views!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Troy!

[@RichardFriendartist]

huge compliment when Troy pops in! haha Hi Troy going to sign back up for your site this January! thanks guys. Great community we have pursuing skill and tone!

[@ookookook]

@@jegauss yes, what Troy said. Completely agree. Great stuff!

[@62mlmt]

That's what i was going to say!!!!! sounds spot on!!

[@jegauss]

@@62mlmt Thank you!

[@Magik1369]

No one has taken it to this level. I thought Pete Thorn was the EVH guru until I saw this. Wow...holy shit man. You nailed it.

[@tobysemain]

Of all the renditions of Eruption I've ever seen, that was the cleanest, most honest, and best tone. Holy crap! Kudos.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Toby! Very much appreciated!

[@jimmyz2098]

Yeah Man. This Cat is GOOD! He really is. He's gotta be one of the best, of not the best on the Tube - in terms of the Van Halen thing.

[@derek9658]

It was also more me the most accurate.

[@heyjarrod]

@@derek9658 Definitely not that, he would even admit it. But yeah, great tone, and he is great. He could nail it if he really wanted to. Not a lot of people want to, or have time to sit down and get it note for note. But he does a great job. 🤘🏻😝🎸🇺🇸

[@davehendrix671]

@@jegauss you nailed it man

[@CentaurusRelax314]

That is easily the best _You Really Got Me_ tone I’ve ever heard. The key is that really aggressive metallic attack. Perfection.

[@jegauss]

Thanks! I appreciate that!

[@briandietrich1373]

Very nice! Here we are in out 30's, 40's, and 50's still trying to do what Ed did as an 18 year old.... WOW!!! Very nice video Sir!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Yep. It's wild...he recorded this when he was 22? Amazing!

[@grumpyoldrockers1048]

Your accuracy in playing It's so spot on. It's like Eddie never died! Your tone is incredibly spot-on also... Nobody, I repeat nobody has come as close as you have! Inf****** credible

[@jegauss]

Thank you, very much! Very kind words! I appreciate it!

[@heyjarrod]

Slow down, speed racer, ha ha. Yes, the tone was good. But the playing was nothing like Eddie-obviously. I’m sure he would say the same thing. I think people forget how fast some of those solos were. These were played a little bit in slow motion. Put on Eruption, and play along to it (correctly… and with swing and technique), you’ll see what I mean. The isolated tracks for all of these are available, not sure how old this video is. So you can hear how Eddie really plays songs like Runnin,’ or You Really Got Me. Plus, a lot of live footage to watch also. It’s a lifetime process to really nail these songs and solos (if ever), keep up the good work!😝🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸

[@Thomas-vs8ff]

What a stupid comment.

[@rdmkeytohwy]

I will be honest with you here……I got emotional hearing these riffs and tones and it is almost like you are in the room with Eddie recording these things for the first time. The tones, the nuance, the ballsy loud sound……this is incredible! I subscribed immediately. I saw you on Tone Talk with Dave Friedman and thought I should check this out. Very glad I did. Talk about a deep dive. This is just killer and your chops are very, very good. You captured a lot of the swing in his playing, too like on “I’m The One.” Looking at the tubes, amps, effects, guitars, and even the cables was interesting. The only thing you are lacking here is a few empty Pabst cans laying around on the floor and an ashtray with a lit cigarette laying in it. Maybe a cold Pabst can sitting on the top of a Marshall cabinet. I’m in for all the videos you do on this subject. On behalf of all of Ed’s fans, thank you!!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'll have to get some Schlitz Malt Liquor "Tall Boys" and start smoking again! That actually sounds like what we used to do when we were younger...😉 Thank you again, and thanks for watching!

[@yd6492]

A lot of KZbinrs with 300K followers does not have your sound ... THIS is Eddie's sound ! This is THE brown sound ! Amazing !

[@jegauss]

Thank you Y D!

[@maxmenius9839]

What a great video. Jim, I have huge respect for your insight into the VH sound. The tone you get is incredible. When you launched into Runnin' With The Devil, it sounds indistinguishable from the original recording. Thanks for your hard work on this. The vid is a permanent goldmine of engineering info.

[@jegauss]

Thank you Max! Those are some pretty big compliments. I very much appreciate it. I just may have to start messing with the next batch of albums 😉

[@benburnett8109]

Jaw dropping. Playing this against the guitar stems and they sound identical. Excellent work.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Ben!

[@kennycarpenter7782]

You've definitely nailed it better than anybody I've ever heard.

[@jaggercrumpton1440]

The tone and the playing here is UNBELIEVABLE. there is next to no differentiation from you and ed. Bravo my friend, Bravo!!!!

[@billknudson7895]

Well, that was among the best half-hours I’ve ever invested in! The was an exceptional guided tour. Thanks, Jim, for your hard work and for being such a gracious host!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Bill! You're very welcome, and thank you for watching!

[@billknudson7895]

You know it’s especially encouraging to see a grey-haired guitarist blowing everyone’s mind with world class playing. Not long after watching your video, this balding, grey-haired guitarist grabbed a guitar, plugged into my Spark practice amp (maybe not a Brown Sound machine-perhaps Beige?) and spent a peaceful hour jamming away, playing whatever came to mind. I had major surgery three weeks ago, and I’ve found that spending quality time with your instrument definitely promotes healing. Thanks for the inspiration to get back to mining for a few gold notes.

[@user-ge8xk6eq7c]

THAT TONE FOR ERUPTION IS AMAZING!!

[@Deadite8593]

I just found your channel and binge watched this entire series. Great work all around, the playing, the research, the audio production value, it's all fantastic. Cheers!

[@nickh1933]

Incredible, very authentic. For those of us with sensitive dog ears, all the little tonal details and nuances of the early albums are present here.

[@jegauss]

Thanks Nick!

[@darrenwillis9611]

Jim, this is just another amazing video you have produced! The first one I saw was on the Fair Warning sound and it was absolutely fantastic! This one was equal to that. You are not only a great player, but also great at explaining what exactly is going on to get the tones you are shooting for. Thanks for an amazing video!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Darren! Very much appreciated, and thanks for sitting through "my ramblings."

[@markchristian7377]

Best rendition of Eruption I've seen on KZbin. All things considered. Great job.

[@dattoboy1]

I only just discovered your channel but I’m hooked. Subscribed immediately, damn dude that tone and playing is spot on!!!

[@55Diddley]

Cool stuff! Thanks for keeping the EVH history signature sound alive!

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@paullaughton3440]

Sounds fantastic, I can see you have spend countless hours mastering the tone and licks. Thanks for sharing!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Paul! Thanks for watching!

[@gsmeeuwsen]

Your playing and research are incredible, Jim!!! Thank you for these videos!!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Greg! Very much appreciated! Thank you for watching!

[@jjones8817]

Thank you for this incredible video. Your knowledge on this subject is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@MAG-li5jo]

Awsome playing, gear and video!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! And, thanks for watching!

[@kimblelisenby8537]

Spot on, really nice to capture the reality of what Ed was doing back in 77-78 and prior, thanks for sharing this in great detail. Obviously a tremendous amount of hard work here. Thanks my man, you have the wizardry…

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Kind words....I appreciate it! Thank you for watching!

[@joshww2339]

Incredible tone chasing , so happy I found this! I've watched pretty much everything on this subject and it was cool to hear your input on the volume discussion. I think that first record just has a one of one , unmatched tone. Fantastic 🙏

[@jegauss]

Thanks Josh! Yeah, I love this album's tone. I think we all did. Ironic how Ed always said he hated it....go figure? But, he was always chasing, and I think he thought this was too bright...Thank you for watching!

[@Leo_Safko]

Fantastic video! This ch a literall goldmine since I discovered it..thanks Jim!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Leo!

[@SWhite-mb4ow]

Excellent work man! Sounds 99% just like Ed! Appreciate you putting this out there to help all the early EVH tone seekers like me! 👍

[@jegauss]

Thanks again! All of this has been a lot of fun, and hey, a guy needs a hobby, right?

[@emitchsr]

This has been fascinating I’ve watched the Pete Thorn vids as well I really appreciate the tone you are getting the tiny details all add up I love this

[@jegauss]

Thank you, and thank you for watching!

[@reneotten7376]

Great videos and what I enjoy most about them is your perfect playing.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Rene!

[@ski5150]

By FARRRR....FAR, the best re-creation of the Master's tone...I've seen countless videos...that was utterly WONDERFUL. The hair on my arms stood up. Thank you! That was insane. Brought me back to that 8 year old kid that got goose bumps on an 85° day in '78, when I first heard The King. Wow...

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I appreciate it! Very kind.....

[@ski5150]

@@jegauss Hey Jim... just giving credit where credit is due. I mean it. That was AWESOME. Most importantly, you are an excellent player. Thank you so much for selflessly sharing your knowledge....there is hope for me to achieve that tone after all!!!

[@jegauss]

@@ski5150 Well, thank you...I really do appreciate it. And yes! you can find that tone! 😉

[@drsts000]

thanks for taking on these projects. i hope no one overlooks this exceptional, authentic playing. fantastic job all around.

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@derek9658]

Got the whole way through the video now. Absolutely outstanding. This is the closest I have heard to VH.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I know....they are long. And it's a lot of me "rambling," but hopefully some good info for those looking for it.

[@ketrchy]

This is the first time I see evh tremolo picking! The sound is amazing and your play is astonishing ! About the sound, fact is you have to crank up the volume to get that overdrive scream out of the box. ✌️thanks man

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very much appreciated and thanks for watching!

[@spkay31]

Great video Jim. You really nail the tone and the VH style perfectly.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Scott!

[@gordonpritchard4088]

Man,you got the playing and the tone down.Impressive.Total dedication has brought you to this point.I have learned a lot from your videos.Thank you for all the hard work.

[@jegauss]

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

[@MuvoTX]

Wow... millions of EVH tone / secret sauce vids on YT, yours is the best I've heard. you even got eds tremolo picking technique too.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very kind words - there's lotsa talent out there, and a "gazillion" videos! Thanks for watching!

[@superf7]

Your tone is second only to the legend himself. Helped along (in no small part) by your spot on playing! Awesome work!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very much appreciated!

[@supertal6074]

Unbelievable Jim - You certainly are the very BEST! Always enjoy everything you do.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Les!

[@Cpt_Adama]

I subbed to your channel after seeing a later series video of this. Awesome playing dude, hopefully your touring with a tribute band. Your graciousness for laying this out for the rest of us is appreciated. Eddies legacy should be preserved for future generations and your documentary videos are just gems.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! we were doing some tribute shows, but we're too spread out these days...I may have to start that up again! Thanks for watching!

[@GuyNarnarian]

Man you have the tempo of these songs down perfectly in your head. I'm the One is a tricky song, I think I play it just a little slower than it should be. I also need a flanger to really finish the setup but the tone you are getting is out of this world. I hope your neighbors appreciate it as much as we do! Seriously cool technical info as well, signing up for the PhD now.

[@jegauss]

Thanks again! Fortunately, my neighbors are pretty far away...otherwise, they'd probably need to enroll in the PhD course, too! And yes, I'm the One is a monster guitar song - it's actually a monster drum part, too. My brother (the drummer I've played with since we were kids), calls it "Hot for Teacher lite." It's got that same shuffling, double kick thing going on.

[@chandlerclement1365]

Man, I’ve been snooping around for info on Van Halen’s sound for years and years and this is probably the best video I’ve seen. You are nailing it! This videos deserve more attention. I would love to hear more about the outboard gear / plugins. Especially would like to see your Pultec settings! Also what are your thoughts on Eddie using the MXR 6 band EQ? Do you think he used it all on the record? Thank you for making such a killer video. The amp information was very interesting.

[@jegauss]

Wow! Thanks Chandler! Thank you for the compliments - much appreciated. I'll be happy to send you a screen shot of the Pultec settings. Just send me an email address that I can send it to. As far as the MXR six band goes, no - I don't think it appeared on the record. If it did, it was only to better match/boost the signal because of the impedance mismatch of the Univox EC80 echo that was used for the very end of Eruption. That's essentially all he used it for live, too. But, I have my doubts that they even used it in the studio for that purpose. I'm not even sure the EC80 appeared on the record. The studio had many tape machines echos that could've achieved that "ending growl"/ runaway echo at the end of Eruption. When he went a wireless unit live (probably mid-78 tour), he may have used it to boost the signal at that point - that's what the 10-band Boss EQ did for him after he retired the noisy 6-band...I'm currently working on the VH II sound/video. I'll show more of the recording process in that one....stay tuned!

[@cesarcros]

@@jegauss That's an awesome video indeed! Definitely learned new stuff with the Pultec EQ and the volume rolled back a bit for recording! I'd love to see your Pultec EQ settings aswell, I'd suggest you doing a short video on the subject to show it, comparing with and without, the unit you're suggesting etc. This would definitely be helpful to a lot of peoples as using the Pultec EQ to get that sound is kind of undocumented imho.

[@jegauss]

​Hey@@cesarcros , Thank you! As to the Pultec EQ - I'm currently working on the VH II video, and I'm going to focus a lot more on the actual recording interface / compression / eq / reverbs, etc...It will use the Pultec again, but it's going to have slightly different settings than the VH1 settings...maybe I should offer a comparison of the two settings, considering almost everything else is the same between the two albums (except the guitars, amp mod, pickups, etc... - but the recording side is almost identical). Let me stew on that one. In the meantime, I'd be happy to send you a screen shot of the VH1 Pultec settings. I'd just need your email (unfortunately, I can't attach anything to these comments).

[@kevzed927]

You did an amazing job demonstrating how to get the classic VH sound. Great playing also. I have all of the pieces, now I need to put it all together and practice. Thanks for the inspiration,

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Good luck in your quest!

[@cainm8808]

The tone is spot on and so is your playing. Awesome job

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Cain!

[@axslayer71]

Wow, BEST VH geekery I have ever seen/heard(by far) I love what you're doing man please keep it up. So glad youtube sent me your way......BTW you ever thought about profiling(Kemper) some of these tones. I think you would do VERY well with that, I for one would love to see/hear them out there

[@jegauss]

Thanks Jimmy! You know, somebody else mentioned that I should profile these for the Kempers....I haven't looked into that yet, but I'm starting to think about it 😉 Thank you for watching!

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Those profiles would finally make me buy a Kemper for sure 👊

[@davemcafeeguitar]

Incredible analysis and playing man 👏, this and your VH II video are like an encyclopedia.. Would you mind sharing who built your Super Lead clone and where you bought the orange head cab?

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Dave! I'm not really sure who built that amp, or where the head cab came from - I found it on ebay a number of years ago, and it had "good bones" (transformers, sozo & mustard caps, vintage carbon film resistors, etc.). It wasn't the Van Halen 12,000 series circuit then, but more of a hybrid. I've since dialed it in, and made the changes to make it what it is today...

[@longbow6245]

Very impressive. I think you nailed it! Definitely deserves more views.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@dr.paulcollins]

What in the actual fk...no words man...maybe one...interstellar because you were able to transport me back to 1979. Fantastic. Loved every second. Need way more videos like this! I can only hit the like once unfortunately. Eddie's spirit is in us all.

[@lawrencet83]

You are really good!!!!

[@AndyK.23]

Wow! This is the brownest brown sound ever! Well done! I have to figure that vintage EP3 adds/subtracts something to the tone to get it closer to EVH spec. And, you get that great low-end thump - is that part of the Pultec EQing?

[@jegauss]

Thanks Andy! Yes, that old EP3 does add a little something, but the whole signal chain adds subtle little things - kinda like the "sum of the parts..." So, I wouldn't say it's "critical" to get there, but it's certainly part of it. As far as the low end thump goes, it's there, coming straight out of the speaker, but it's not as defined. The Pultec is actually doing some attenuating at 100hz, and then adding a little back in (sort of unique to the Pultec). So, we're not really adding thump, it's all there, we're "sculpting" it a little to define the thump. If that makes sense....?

[@johnjohnson6672]

Lots of fun, Nice job and you presented the video real well with breaks in between so its not just playing and playing.

[@mikemccourt6225]

Spot-on, Jim. I’ve been really enjoying your videos

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Mike!

[@chandlerclement1365]

You have some incredible hummingbird tremolo picking going on there, would love to hear about you got that down. I’ve been trying for a long time, but no dice.

[@jegauss]

Thanks again, Chandler! You know, it's hard to remember when, or how, I finally got that picking style down. I've been working on it since I first saw him use that technique back on the '79 world tour. I do remember getting the back and forth "pivot" going, and then using my left hand to guide it into the strings...weeks / months of that. But, it's easier with a thin pick - you can practice that way, and remember, Ed rarely used anything other than a Fender medium - at least in the early days - so, a thinner, lighter pick helps, and maybe make sure you've got you index finger on the side of the pick, to keep it from rotating with the thumb and middle finger grip. You kind of "stabilize" it with your index finger, if that makes sense....? Anyway, it takes time, and less tension is good. If you get too tense, you won't be able to do it. The forearm won't rotate like it needs to. Anyway, hope that helps. Good luck!

[@chandlerclement1365]

@@jegauss thank you, this is helpful! Glad to know I'm not wrong going with Fender medium picks. I probably have too much tension in my arm.

[@craigharrison5406]

In all honesty this is closer to Eddie's sound than Pete Thorn and Dave friedman achieved in their brown sound video...Very impressive. I have a 5150 Kramer copy that I threw a Dimarzio super distortion in and through an EVH 50 watt Stealth I can get close to Eddie's sound but not nearly as close as you.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Craig! I very much appreciate that!

[@emanueleomodei6596]

Man, you re so amazing! The King would be proud of you!!

[@jonahtompke5210]

This video was absolutely amazing!

[@jeffglass7348]

Ha!! The guy sounds great! And super similar to Eddie!!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Jeff! Much appreciated!

[@clammaster4]

Your playing is WAY too good for this video quality

[@jegauss]

Ha! Thanks (I think) - I put the video together, too - although, I'm more guitar player, studio guy, than video production guy 😉 I should probably find somebody who knows how to shoot a video!

[@JustAdude291]

Great work Jim! Enjoyed what you did here

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@leeadams908]

Thanks for the great video and great sound and nice job playing guitar!

[@rolsguitars]

Every plexi I've had clone or real just sounds like complete shit with everything on 10 or the vol 1 and 2 turned down. Variac or not attenuator or not , I don't get it , green backs , jbl. All just sound like crap didn't get the tone till I bought a kemper

[@jegauss]

Sorry to hear that...I've had good ones and bad ones, but I could almost always get a workable / good sound out of them. I think the Kempers sound great, but I just don't like how they "feel." You don't get the same give and take that you do with a real tube amp. But, to each their own! I'm glad you found your tone.

[@peterschaefer1665]

Also, the right speaker and cab make a world of difference.

[@jegauss]

@@peterschaefer1665 Very true.

[@Andrew-pk9vz]

Just found you today and man these are amazing. I just live this stuff❣️ First heard Ed 1980 WACF, named my son Edward lol. Anyway huge kudos to you and thank you ever so much for this massive deep dive🔥🤘

[@jegauss]

Thanks Andrew! And, thanks for watching. Make sure you check out the "addendum" to this video (Super 70 or Dimarzio in the Destroyer), and then the Brown Sound 2nd album video. Currently working on Fair Warning. I hope to have that one done in the next few weeks. Lots of unique info in that one, too. Stay tuned....

[@kernowcalli3312]

This is great!!! Just got a studio vintage can’t wait to try this stuff! Love this early VH sound THANKS!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Thanks for watching, and good luck!

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Holy Candlesticks! I already loved your playing and tone but this is just insane.. Much respect.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Very much appreciated!

[@ttown918]

I would say you've pretty much nailed the Brown sound. Sounds great.

[@natashanyxx9486]

You have taken guitar geekdom to a new level. Thank you for doing what you do!

[@jegauss]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@chrisnekvinda]

Holy shit. This is incredible. You’ve completely recreated that sound!

[@Jarrodpimental]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Thanks so much.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Jarrod!

[@andrewwilkins4113]

Outstanding site!!! Great work here!! Definitely here the 10,000 hours put in ! Hear tons of players come really close me included but this is almost dead on!! Damn!!🎼🎶🎵

[@jegauss]

Thanks Andrew! Much appreciated!

[@leadershiphelpdesk510]

You are over the top!!!!! Really. I started learning VH stuff with "Star Licks" or something. I remember traveling from TN to OH in the family station wagon learning VH and Rhoads licks the whole way. I was about 15, now 53.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I remember that Star Licks series....I checked them out, but never used 'em. I'm not a good learner when it comes to that technique. I'm better at just listening (most of the time), and my wife would probably tell you different 😉

[@doug.heartstringssound]

Jim I stumbled across your videos today and just wanted to thank you so much for doing this! Thank you! I have been as many, on an Eddie binge since his passing. Your tones are spot on! I love all the deep dive details and breakdowns of everything! All the secrets and little known facts you share are so great to hear. I hope you will continue these deep dives into all his albums and his evolving tones from each album to the next. Eddie lives in your knowledge and playing.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Doug! Very much appreciated! If you haven't done so already, make sure you check out the VHII and Fair Warning videos. Lotsa "stuff" included with those. And, yes, I am working on WACF right now. In the experimenting, and tinkering stage right now, but I'll be coming out with something...😉 Thank you again, and thank you for watching!

[@doug.heartstringssound]

@@jegauss thank you, I plan on catching up on all your videos and hope for super deep dives. I have some questions for you which I'd love to write you rather than through these replies but if you'd prefer to not give your email, just let me know and I'll write here. Just can't thank you enough for your decision to do this series...I am now a huge fan of yours.

[@jegauss]

@@doug.heartstringssound Hey Doug, reach out to me at [e-mail] - it's all good...feel free to reach out.

[@leoquesto9183]

Very nice. Great playing and chat, too. Bravo.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Leo!

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Amazing how he achieved that kind of tone in those days, I've been chasing that tone for as long as I've been playing guitar! Fantastic playing and killer tone man!!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks! And, I agree...that's why I'm trying to use only the stuff that he would've had back then. I think it's great fun to try to figure it all out! Thanks for watching!

[@danielduplantier3741]

Jim, You're an unassuming genius!

[@CoffeeDrinker71]

Phenomenal playing AND tones!!!!!! Bravo sir!

[@jegauss]

Thank you Brian! I'm working on the VH II tones for the next video. I'm a little behind, but hoping to have it out in the next couple of weeks - stay tuned!

[@CoffeeDrinker71]

@@jegauss Awesome!!! Can't wait! I've subscribed so I'll be notified! ;)

[@esposoman]

Clicked for the tone stayed for the playing. You're great. Greetings from Spain

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Alex! Much appreciated!

[@user-zj1dw2ut4n]

Best I've seen or heard period....

[@leosun8469]

So awesome!👍🏻🤘🏻 And I agree with you about Dave Friedman and Pete Thorn’s Brown Sound videos are amazing! Thanks for doing all this- It’s really inspiring.

[@bigpiranha]

You went down the rabbit hole and came out with the exact tones for all the albums you're featuring Jim. Unreal.

[@jegauss]

Yep, although, I still might be stuck down that rabbit hole. I'm toying with WACF and Diver Down right now.......Thank you, and thanks for watching!

[@theoravelo136]

I love rewatching this series of yours Jim.

[@jegauss]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@theoravelo136]

@@jegauss We appreciate your contributions to the EVH community even more sir.

[@johncalderon6225]

All of it is just great! The phrasing, accuracy, tone, etc. But man, those mids just pop out and want to bite my ear!! Congrats sir for such a cool and informative video. BTW, EVH was and still is the best!

[@jegauss]

Thanks again, John!

[@brianwilliams4467]

Damn dude. Killer. I was listening to this video in the car and not watching and that Eruption clip sounded just like the studio version

[@jegauss]

Thanks Brian! Yeah, that's one of the ways I mix these audio tracks. I go between 3 sets of studio monitors, 2 sets of headphones, the home stereo, and most importantly, the car stereo! I've finalized more mixes in a car than I care to admit! 😉

[@Terry-qg4yg]

Outstanding videos Jim!!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Terry!

[@MichaelDouglasSkewes]

Man ,I have been watching your videos for several hours todqy! I don't know how I missed you all this time ! I just watched the Fair Warning video ,i love the way you even take the time to go through the amps ,literally! Im just having a great time and i really need to go back and just play some Van Halen on guitar,and yes i have all of them,both custom made and the EVH guitars, and Ernie Balm and Peavy, but I usually always go to my custom guitars. I have been in bands and toured and gpt into a head on collision and did,t play guitar for a while because i lost the feeling in my left hand,but my doctor said I should try a d play anyway! Im not as good as I was ,but im just about done with my album and I can hopefully play live again soon! I love these videos ,you have Eddie down. My guitar teacher was Randy Rhoads, so i didn't learn any VH from him because he was pissed that they got signed ,and he knew that he would probably have to leave in order to make it,and we all know that story! I do get caught up helping people that are RR fans ,but EVH was the reason I wanted to really learn. Ace Frehley was who made me pick up a guitar , and Randy was a huge part of my learning ,but i still think Eddie ,especially with David Lee Roth ,really is the greatest! Keep up the videos andvthe deeper you get the betther and more i learn or remember things i forget! I have played through Eddies 1984 tour amps ,he gave 3 stacks to Chris Holmes from WASP, and he was living in my garage for a few months ,and we put a band together callled Rat Bastard ,but playing those amps, once i just cranked them up,they were amazing! Ok,thats too long. Thanks for the videos!

[@jegauss]

I love this! Love hearing the stories! Thanks for jumping in!

[@michaelwade379]

Incredible, absolutely love the attention to detail. Would be cool to see a "rig rundown" of Ed's live tone during the first couple tours supporting VH 1 and 2.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Michael. I'm pretty sure I could do the '78 tour with what I've got laying around. the '79 tour, I believe I'd need to acquire a couple of things...We'll see. Good idea, though.

[@riccardococcia]

I did get to the volume knobs at some point in my journey. Volume 2 at 7.5 just cuts the bass and you don't lose gain. And the bass channel volume 1 pushes it over the edge and changes the response of the treble peaker cap. Cutting bass with the GE-10 becomes redundant. You confirmed my suspicion that both volumes on ten is just a legend and just doing what sounds right and logical for a plexi circuit works. Thank you so much for the information you sent me last year via email and looking forward to see the next video in the series!

[@jegauss]

Hey Riccardo! Yep, it took me a long time to even think about the turning the volumes down on Channel 1 & 2...I tried every possible combination to 'test the legend." Nothing worked. Nothing got me anywhere close to the VH 1 tone, without turning the amp down....stay tuned, more to come. Thanks again for watching.

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Wow great stuff!! Just found your channel today! Cool! Sounds great! Awesome playing!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Greg! Thanks for watching!

[@jimmyz2098]

Yeah - Great vid, Jim. I just found your channel tonight, and I gotta say - I really dig it. I'm also a Van Halen fanatic, and so this is just a lot of fun. Your playing is absolutely phenomenal, as is your tone. I subbed, and I will be looking at a lot more of your work here as well. Really great job on the Van Halen nerdery. Love it!

[@jegauss]

Thanks Jimmy! Stay tuned, I'm starting the recording for the next video - Fair Warning. Lots of new "things" in the Fair Warning tone....

[@jimmyz2098]

@@jegauss Awesome! Don't forget at some point.... to throw in a little W&C. I know you were saying.... just mostly more of VH1 & 2 on that... and things changed a lot with Fair Warning. So I get that. Maybe you could thrown in a song or 2 from W&C. Romeo's Delight & Take your Whiskey Home come to mind. Anyway - great channel Jim. Thanks for the gracious reply. I'll be watching!

[@jegauss]

@@jimmyz2098 Yeah, I know there's some really cool stuff on WACF, too. I'll probably touch on that at some point. Most of that album is the "Hard Tail" guitars - Chris Holmes destroyer with Super D, and the Shark, with the Super D / A5 magnet. I think it's the BumbleBee for Everybody Wants Some - and that's probably a Super D in that one as well. So...also, for sure, no JBLs in the speaker cabinet. So, It's all Greenbacks and Super D style pickups. But, I agree, the album is one of my favorites, and it's worth taking a look at....Probably won't put it in the FW video, but I'll do something with it at some point. 😉

[@matthewsmith8568]

I love nerding out with you fellow VH devotees. Jim, I’m as impressed w your phrasing as anything. Your playing really captures Ed’s feel. Even the rare spots where not (precisely) note for note, it’s exactly ‘how’ Ed played….if that makes sense. I’ve seen hundreds of EVH hot rods copy cats, myself included. Though you have something different that they/we dont. Also, I had to check and see if you were the Top Jimi Profile guy. You’re not. Thank you for this. (And I said) ROCK ON!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Matthew! And, I completely get what you mean about the note for note vs. feel "thing." I've never been one for learning things note for note. It started when I was like 11 yrs old, playing in my first band as the "lead player." I was a kid, I was "flashy," I got a lot of "he's really fast for his age" kinda things said about me...and I never played the leads that were on the records / songs we covered...why? because I couldn't! But I used to bullsh*t my way through all of that, and say "I want to do my own thing." I think it paid off, I've played that way my whole life. Although, there was a time I taught myself all the scales and modes, played to a metronome.....I couldn't improvise a lead for 2 years! I thought it ruined me 😉 But, yes, I've probably long since had the ability to pick things apart and play them note for note, but that 11 yr. old still speaks louder to me. Even though I'm playing "in the style of Ed" on these videos, I'm still more about getting the feel right than the exact notes. I played that way on all of the recorded, original material that I wrote or co-wrote, and used to tour to support - I doubt I ever played the same thing twice...close, but never quite the same...anyway, thank you very much for noticing that "trait." I very much appreciate you noticing. And, thanks for watching!

[@TMac-Attack]

Awesome tone and playing!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Terry!

[@rickleblanc8900]

That is the tone right there ! Well done.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Rick!

[@autowebtechnologies3040]

A. You might be the best Van Halen tribute player I've ever seen. B. I don't have the funds or the skill set to replicate your build but absolutely amazing and what a piece of historical contribution you've done here to the guitar community. Thank you.

[@jegauss]

WOW! Thank you! Very kind words! I appreciate it very much!

[@soontobe1968]

Absolutely Phenomenal video!! Thank you so much!!

[@jegauss]

Thank you!

[@dymiva]

Not once did you brag about your playing, so I will do it for you. Your covers are nearly perfect. Yes the tone is spot on, but hive yourself some credit, the solos and licks are nearly identical. You have a real ear for this. Excellent work, thank you for this video. Will be watching repeatedly to school myself on this album.

[@bweeks8869]

Great video!! Thanks for the upload.

[@jegauss]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelwilson2497]

FRICKKIN AWESOME!!! Learned some tricks for the sound and some chord shapes i had wrong. THANKS BROTHER!!!!

[@jegauss]

Thanks, Michael!

[@chrismettert6676]

hEY MAN JUST GOTTA SAY.... YOU ARE THE BEST COVER ARTIST I HAVE SEEN YET!!! YOU DO EDDIE"S MUSIC JUSTICE.

[@jegauss]

Thank you very much, Chris!

[@derek9658]

Great stuff enjoyed this. Great playing.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, Willie!

[@qua7771]

Subscribed! This just came into my feed while I was researching Friedman, and Soldano modifications. Glad it did. I believe you have nailed the tone.

[@jegauss]

Thank you, A.R.! Very much appreciated!

[@qua7771]

I just purchased an EVH phase pedal, an MXR flanger, and a Dunlop Echoplex pedal. I'm trying to figure out what order to put these in. Normally I would put them in the loop, but I realise Eddie did things differently back then. My understanding is that they all go in front, but in what order? It looks like you're goes, guitar -> flanger -> phase -> echo -> amp. Is that correct?

[@jegauss]

@@qua7771 Hey A.R. yep - that is correct. There weren't any effects loops back then, and the dummy load rig didn't come around until, I think, the 5150 tour. So, yep, they all went in front of the amp. Also, that's part of the sound. Those MXR pedals have buffers in them (true bypass is not necessarily good for everything), and those buffers affect the tone. The only other thing you need is the Dunlop Echoplex preamp. I don't know why (well, I know why - more $ 😉) They didn't build it all into one pedal. But the Echoplex "preamp" circuit has a unique, but subtle tone. The real ones don't really boost (maybe 1 or 2 db), but they add a sparkle, and a low mid "kinda thing" that's really integral to the sound. Anyway, your signal chain is correct. Good luck!

[@qua7771]

@@jegauss Okay, preamp ordered. It's nice to know someone with your level of experience. I was able to see your FX settings in the video. I really wanted to put the flanger in the loop for use with other music. I haven't dedicated a rig specifically to EVH music as you have, nor was I in a cover band. I'm just jamming with friends for now. These FX are good for a lot of other music of the era. If you say not to put the flanger in the back then I will heed your advice. Thanks for the quick response. Awesome channel!

[@jegauss]

@@qua7771 I've always found that the MXR stomp boxes sound best in front of the amp...the nice, rack mount stuff sounds better in the loop, or even better in W/D/W setup, where you run the raw guitar down the center, with no effects at all, and then the effects are split stereo into two wet only cabinets...yeah, I've got that rig, too - I'm a bit of a gear junkie.......have fun with it, and let me know if you have any questions.

[@luisalextorres]

another sick VH video from your channel!

[@jegauss]

Thanks again, Luis! I'm glad you're checking out all of the videos!