Woodshed Ep 42- How to recreate the 90's Eddie Van Halen guitar tone!

Hello Music Lovers! Welcome to the very first Woodshed episode of 2021 and I wish you all a happy New year!
I wanted to start off 21 by showing you guys how to nail that 90's Van Halen tone without having to buy 3 amps and cabs and tons of gear! I discovered this as a very happy accident! You can purchase the tone patch on my website or Patreon page! Cheers!
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Troy Grady's Cracking the Code: Andy Wood Acoustic Interview:
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Troy Grady's Cracking the Code: Andy Wood Interview
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MY GEAR
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MUSIC
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JUNKTOWN
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KENNEDY WOOD BAND
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LIVE AT THE BIJOU
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CAUGHT BETWEEN THE TRUTH AND A LIE
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A DISCONCERTING AMALGAM
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DFU - THE UNRELEASED SESSION
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[@mellodaniel4]

The 90's Eddie's tone, specially the Balance one is one of the best things I've ever heard

[@andywoodmusic]

absolutely

[@MisterTee]

Thank you! Think that record has some of the best rock guitar sounds ever recorded

[@metalmayhem672]

Here's a $400 amp nailing Eddie's 90's tone (circa 1992) closer than anything I've heard. No Axe-FX, no wet dry wet, no fancy sh*t, just a cheap BS combo amp in a music store that sounds great. Don't laugh, watch the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/amGvmayapL2MbqM Same amp, but a 2x12 version, doing a great job getting the early VH tone kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2eqlWqXet6Zfrc You don't need expensive gear, just a good ear and good hands.

[@thesash7063]

I can't agree more 👍 It's my favorite Van Halen Sound.

[@gokhanersan8561]

The moody vibe of the Balance record made me and my friends part ways with VH. The Balance sound, however, astounded us-especially on Amsterdam and Balachiterium-two tracks that could’ve easily been on the 5150 record.

[@tonyfondacaro1980]

I know Eddie's tone on VH1 is supposed to be the "holy grail" rock guitar tone, but absolutely nothing beats that glassy, ballsy, thick 90s sound he gets and this captures it perfectly!

[@andywoodmusic]

thanks Tony!! such a great comment, yeah couldn't agree more. beautiful thing about EVH is he gave us so much...

[@RyanMaziarz]

It's just a testament to the guy's genius that he created *two* completely different tones that are both among the greatest ever.

[@andywoodmusic]

Ryan Maziarz absolute fact.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

Both IMHO are THE benchmark for badassery

[@jamesmick8653]

Fair Warning.

[@timothythompson6549]

Early EVH tone is worshipped, and it's GREAT. But man, when I get in the car and crank up Humans Being or Fire In The Hole. Chill bumps!

[@BenEller]

Aaaaand its a 10!!!!!

[@andywoodmusic]

emailed you the patch ;)

[@damonj69]

Uncle Ben

[@jazieljesse753]

i know it's quite randomly asking but does anyone know of a good website to stream newly released movies online ?

[@emmanuelfrancisco9307]

@Jaziel Jesse I watch on Flixzone. Just google for it =)

[@loganivan5239]

@Emmanuel Francisco Yup, have been watching on flixzone for since april myself =)

[@Sodacake]

"i don't wanna take up too much of your time here" feel free to take up more of our time, this was great!

[@darrenwillis9611]

30-40 years later (depending on which tones you are going for) and we are STILL trying to replicate Eddie's tone. Bear in mind we are getting info from all points on the planet now due to the internet, and getting that "Brown Sound" still isn't a gimme. Long live the KING!

[@curtisboswell2619]

Part of what complicates the problem, is that Ed's tone went through a series of evolutions, rather than revolutions from his first widely released album, in '78, through the turn of the century. Ed swapped a LOT of gear out, and is widely known to have experimented with various pedals, amps, mic setups, etc. What we heard from '78, is nothing near what we were hearing during the "Sammy" years, particularly with the advent of "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" and "Balance". Now. Add to THAT bit of knowledge, the fact that ALL of us, hear every tone differently, from everyone else... PERCEPTION is the key here. Nobody ever hears two played notes, the same way. This is why everyone's idea of "Brown Sound" is something a tad different. I think that a piece of gear is priceless, if it lets you get that tone, and puts your own unique spin on what is being widely sought after. Nobody is ever going to sound like Ed... but few folks have gotten so close that it's almost scary. Pete Thorn. Walt Grace. I think that today, there are more guitar players that understand the basics of HOW that tone was achieved... and largely because Ed himself was more forthcoming on how he'd done it "back in the day" with pedals, and then by re-engineering this or that tube amp, and understanding signal path. Ed was the King, because he was never afraid to tear into a piece of gear, and re-engineer it, to HIS precise need. That was the Ed gift, that most people overlook. That man was a picking genius...but he was also a WORLD class tinkerer. Although he had no engineering degree, he read texts on electronics, and could read schematics. So he went about pedal and guitar mods, with an eye for improvement, and getting that signal processed in a way his ears told him was "sweet" or "Brown".

[@123cnak]

I haven't listened to those albums in years. Totally nailed the tone, it took back to listening to those albums in my bedroom back in the 90's.

[@brickwilliamsguitar6307]

Damn brother, you nailed that tone and it was far simpler than I thought it would be. Literally one of the greatest tones ever created. Ed was just brilliant.

[@mconra]

Holy shizzel Andy! I literally just recorded one of the tunes off this album with my band and we debated how to get THIS tone! You are genius.

[@blainethemono19]

I am a casual player of 20 years and can't imagine how you've learned all these amazing tricks. Killer work as always man!

[@RodRanDusted]

I was able to dial these settings with my HeadRush. It was good, but something not quite right. Took a break, went back with headphones, noticed my output was set to mono. When I switched to stereo and hit a chord, it was like the floor dropped out and the most LUSH VH tone flooded the room. Thank you so much Andy!!!!!

[@eckhardt76]

It's funny, I grew up in the 90's and I remember back then people were critictizing Ed that his tone wasn't as good as it was on the early records lol.. One wasn't better than the other just different.. Both sounded incredible. Great job Andy on nailing his tone he had back in that era.

[@andywoodmusic]

EVH forever!!

[@zackr19]

Andy you and Rick Beato are the 2 greatest channels on the internet ! Thank you brother 🙏

[@leftyshep]

Learned a lot from your approach on this Andy! Thank you for taking time to do this!

[@LiveMusicCT]

Wicked tones! Biggest smile of my day right here...

[@michaeltuggey7232]

Wearing headphones for this video was epic. Love this sound Andy!

[@andywoodmusic]

thanks dude!! yes headphones are a must for listening to this one

[@PolaOpposite]

Your _Cool Quotient_ is off the charts! Great tone! Great chops!

[@briandietrich1373]

Love Ed's 90's era tone the best! Great video!

[@MarkKirbyMusic]

Just listened to it in the 🚗. Sounds huge! I think people forget how cool the 90’s VH tones actually were. Thanks Andy. Cheers!

[@isaacjohnson.]

Excellent job Andy! Sounds immense.

[@liquidsolids9415]

Awesome, as usual. Loved the drill. Keep up the great work, Andy!

[@RonynLoneWolf]

Well done Andy! My favorite guitar tone of all time was Eddie's Balance sound.

[@angrybuzzy]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Andy! Rock on, sir.

[@tonyleach6403]

Man, that is perfect! Always wanted to get that tone- thanks so much! Hope to catch you at the OC sometime soon

[@giancarlopaolini7529]

Glad to see that it can work also on FM3 and ....I went even further by adding a 80's style Chorus between the pitch shifter and Del1 and ...then you can fly. Thank you very much for your sharing ... I've been mucking around this sound for ages :-) well done indeed.

[@seagullpoet]

You’re like a mad scientist of sounds ! You carry the creative torch that Eddie kept well hidden.

[@seagullpoet]

P.S I heard VH opened for Nugent. Well, Ted tried out his gear in curiosity. Secretly. Lol. Ted was baffled how he couldn’t sound like this new gunslinger ! Perplexed !

[@bucurgabriel6319]

Thanks Man ....It's AMAZING ...The BEST TON ! With RESPECT and LOVE from PARIS !

[@WallyBoots]

Sounds great! Really nailed the tone. Kudos!

[@aeugmk2]

That sounds big and badass! Great video man! Thanks!

[@cryptojihadi265]

Damn!!!! That's pretty fkng close Aka, nailed it!

[@MarkPritchardGuitar]

Awesome thanks Andy, got close to this tone on my Axe-Fx but will definitely try this. Thanks man sounds amazing!

[@Nig6tWalker]

awesome video Andy!!thank you for sharing

[@joshezell5251]

Sounds awesome! His 90s tone was great!

[@davidballe5040]

Lovin it Andy!! Still remember this from the MTV awards. Thanks for all the awesome content and inspiration and just great practical advice for a fellow music lover. Cripsy High Five Bro!

[@andywoodmusic]

crisp high fives amigo

[@mattpicone1466]

Superb underlying tone and fun effects. Long live the king.

[@andywoodmusic]

thank you my friend

[@dallasbrown9376]

Well....that was eye opening !! Just a great help for a guitarist of my abilities !

[@vsnakepit]

I follow all the steps with my Fm3 and Sounds Badass!!! Thank you!!!

[@joewyatt8371]

Thats awesome Andy!

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

Ah man!! That sounds amazing! Great job!

[@brownsfan7753]

Killer job Andy!!!

[@tommyjoe4310]

That was a great tutorial, love the results you got and of course the playing is stellar. I keep trying to get that tone with one amp and the fractal fx8 for effects only, but yours is the best

[@andywoodmusic]

Thanks Tom. I’m gonna recreate this in Axe-8 today and post it for sell.

[@deanwitt7903]

It’s a crying shame van halen didn’t give us more after balance but Im eternally greatful that we got them at all . Absolutely genius .

[@endezeichengrimm]

Van Halen 3 was released in 1998.

[@emimartt1068]

​@@endezeichengrimmVH3 is mid bro

[@endezeichengrimm]

@@emimartt1068 What?

[@bweeks8869]

Thanks for posting. Sounded dead on!!

[@robgen06]

monster playing and tone brother inspiring

[@jonathanmoran3512]

This is absolutely cool.

[@evanmiller2579]

Epic tone. Well done.

[@alexnismachin]

Your video is awsome! Congratulations!

[@leadguitarmiked]

This is so awesome! I’m gonna try it on my Helix!

[@tulsa9999]

Mega like!!! Thank you so much for this Andy!!!!

[@levik19]

Dude you save me a lot of time! I have a different amp sim software but will try your approach. 🤘

[@LadyCroMag]

Damn, Andy is amazing!!!

[@wiseowl2335]

great stuff, thanks Andy

[@christopher.k.guitar]

Great job man!

[@scottpeters4401]

Wow....I have been trying to figure out how to do this for awhile.....I even bought a 3rd studio monitor,thinking that’s what I needed....and it works,but I just got my AxeFXIII a couple of months ago,and wanted to just do a simple,no extra stuff,W/D/W patch.....Thanks for this....I just subscribed....

[@jimmycreamer7905]

WOW WELL DONE

[@guitarstudent4213]

Reminds me of Shawn Lane's signal from the REH video. 3 amps 2 delays. Epic tone. Rock on Sir!

[@patrickknox4014]

Oh man... if someone who could play... could make a modern version (digital foot pedal) of Shawn Lanes tone 😬

[@stevestan6525]

I love the Balance tone and also the VH1 tone. Those who ignore the later sound forget that EVH never thought that VH1 was the pinnacle and happily walked away from the older tech, with which he did make magic, into the newer tech, with which he made bigger sounding magic:) Cheers.

[@oliverschultes6896]

Nailed it!

[@digijams]

That is brilliant Thank you very much for your time, I was using 3 rack units to get that same tone..

[@andywoodmusic]

any axe fx can do this. even the little axe 8!

[@OfficeofthePacific]

Great job! Damn! You nailed it!

[@yeahwhatevermike]

im gonna try this tomorrow, thank you, Happy Birthday in HEAVEN EDDIE!

[@basementrocker2764]

Kind of dreamy and edgy at the same time. Fantastic tone!

[@FrancoPerla]

GREATTTT man!!! Awesome episode! thanks \m/

[@FrancoPerla]

Hey Andy I did a tonemach of my 5150 100W EL34 for AxeFxiii. If you are interested give me a shout

[@rccampbell460]

Sounds as close as your gonna get. Great job!

[@markgranholm7795]

Great job!!!

[@guismth]

Thats awesome!

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

Excellent...Thanks a lot!!!

[@keithmulcahy3417]

Thats just awesome

[@Now_or_Never_777]

Thank you Andy

[@brendoncolemanguitar3063]

Superb !!!!!

[@4GuitarTrance]

I just received my FM9 after a fairly lengthy wait time... and I love it. After using 2 x100 w Marshall Super Leads in stereo for years, I could pretty much duplicate any sound with my rig. But after a rather steep learning curve when first firing up the FM9 I can now do the same, and then some! But that's why these units are so good... their control and versatility. Thanks for the EVH sound... you nailed it. I duplicated Ed's sound(s) with the Super Leads and a HUGE rack full of outboard gear when needed, but am not familiar enough with the FM9... so thanks for walking it through. I have my own sound, but am playing in a cover band now just for a few bucks and lots of fun, and this will come in handy for the EVH covers. A lot of people seem to "feel" Eddie used way too much "grease" on his rig starting with 5150, but I disagree. It was Eddie... how can it be said it was too much when that is what he wanted? Obviously Ed didn't need the processed, wet sound to play... he got by just fine prior to the Eventide and the rest of his gear before 5150. But he liked it... and no one sounded like Ed. Put on some headphones and listen to 'Source of Infection' on OU812 (as one example)... it will turn your head around. It's so dynamic and unique it will almost make your head spin in sections. When anyone hears EVH, they absolutely know it's EVH because of that trademark tome/sound. Thanks again, Mr. Wood... the FM9 is providing loads of fun and incredible versatility for me... without the weight and space of my long-time live rig. I also purchased 2 Line 6 Powercab 2x12 pluses, running in stereo, and it's awesome. I get that live "In-the-Room" sound, which I was concerned about when trying the FM9. The cabs have great stereo widening settings and with 2 of them the sound is huge. I've tried miking the Powercabs and it sounds better than straight through to the console (the sound tech agrees). With some tweaking they sound exactly like my 4x12 Marshall cabs. Thanks again for the tips.

[@thomascraig74ify]

Nailed it

[@damonj69]

100% awesome!!

[@Robcadams1974]

I’d say you nailed the tone.

[@tonesbonesguitars697]

I think Runaround was played on a Tele.... break out that AW signature model! Great vid BTW .. sounds great.

[@blackonly9739]

Eddie's harmonic amazing

[@patrickcasey357]

Will have to try this on the Helix. Nice sound.

[@derekallan6166]

Andy Wood is the shit! 🤘🏼

[@Gorbyrev]

Superb! Subscribed.

[@andywoodmusic]

thanks mark

[@craigwhitaker1168]

Next time I’m in Nashville with Riley, I need to geek out on EVH with you!!

[@curlzwalk]

Very Nice!!! Thank you : )

[@grayguitars7370]

Spot on!!! 👍🏻🎸🎸

[@mattcamacho5570]

The palmer pdi-03 was also used as a splitter. The heads speaker out goes into and out of the palmer and I to the "dry" cab. Now, the palmer pdi-03 also has 4 line outs......you would then take 1 or 2 of those line outs, go into your effects and then to a power amp. Out of the power amp you would run 2 cabs for the "wet"

[@brettshawver2983]

Yep - that's the one!

[@donaldmccoy49]

savage man!!!

[@1tdillon]

And, he says..."it's just a Shur Modern..."

[@markford4587]

Awesome job! So easy to get lost in Fractal land... Great that your shared your thought process in crafting Ed’s tone.

[@andywoodmusic]

Mark Ford man I almost didn’t make this public. For a minute I was like, nah this is too good I need to keep it close to the chest. But then I remembered being 18, and what I would have gone thru to have known this info. I would’ve killed a hundred men to have the ability to buy 1 piece of gear and get even in the ballpark of the Carnal knowledge era tone. So I decided to make this video and dedicate it to the 18 year old version of me. :)

[@billyhughes9776]

Awesome stuff Andy, that's pretty spot on. To my ears I think Ed would mix in a bit more of the pitch,...but who knows. Sounds great! Man,...that AxeFX sound so good,......dammit. Must resist,.......

[@andywoodmusic]

yeah the pitch changes from album to album. I was kind of loosely making the live "right here, right now" my overall reference, it seems less "pitchy" than say Balance.

[@Eventual420]

The Royer 121 was released in 1998, and is a relatively new mic to hit the scene. 421’s, 160’s. If you get enough local 57’s in the area, they also impart bottom, a few 57’s on a 4x cab reveal a lot. 121’s are well received by notable engineers, would love to have a few.

[@BloodySoup74]

I love crankin Poundcake!!

[@larslevinberget9558]

The 1988-90 Hamer slammer pickups will get you there, DiMarzio's take on the Duncan JB, somewhere between an SH4 and a PAF PRO, and what Steve Blucher brought and Eddie picked out for the Ernie Ball EVH prototypes

[@harrisfrankou2368]

I'd say there is the VH1 tone the Fair Warning tone and This Tone as my favorite dirty guitar sounds ever.

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

Same! Top 3 fav tones of all time

[@JosephChavez]

OMG. Dude. This IS IT! This is the tone I've been wanting. The "Balance" album (The Seventh Seal) was always my favorite. That, and "Best of Both Worlds." I need to figure out what I need to do to get this. I have no software currently. I just use my Carvin V3 combo but it ain't cutting it.

[@andywoodmusic]

any fractal unit can do this. that's all you need, from there monitors, PA or even headphones will take care of the rest.

[@JosephChavez]

@@andywoodmusic Excellent. I need to spend some time seeing how this all works. I subbed and now I'll see if you have videos on it for a newbie! LOL.

[@haydendonahoo8885]

It's simple: I see Andy Wood, I click.

[@andywoodmusic]

big crispy high fives to ya

[@coolmacatrain9434]

10:21 That sounds incredible!

[@andywoodmusic]

Culmacatrane that’s when it all comes together and just sounds right. Even made me smile in the walkthrough

[@sdmfjoe5150]

Well this is awesome. I just got rid of my digital rig, but I think Im going back to one. I currently have a Boss PS-6 and a Wampler Tape Echo Im trying to get this with my EL34 5150.

[@wake911]

Ah, that's my favorite Suhr!

[@samhillband]

Nice!!!

[@andywoodmusic]

Mark Day Guitar thanks mark

[@cbeserra]

Epic

[@tdmjfountain]

Yes!!!