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Solo Tone
Guitar Solo (Live at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT, 8/27/1986) [2026 Remaster]
Van Halen
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarKramer Baretta (custom, 1986 tour spec, single humbucker, Floyd Rose)
AmpPeavey 5150 (prototype, early version, 100-watt head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinets (Celestion G12M speakers)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
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Notes
Live performance, 1986 5150 tour, New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This is the exact gear Eddie Van Halen used for the solo section in this live show, as documented in multiple rig rundowns and video evidence. No evidence of studio overdubs; signal chain is classic 5150-era live rig.
Tone Character(10)
explosive high-gainsinging sustaintight, percussive attackharmonic-rich saturationaggressive pick attackliquid legato runsdistinctive flanger sweepcrisp, articulate highsthick, mid-forward presenceechoed repeats from delay
Difficulty
This solo is considered expert level due to its high speed, advanced tapping and picking techniques, and the need for precise control of effects and dynamics throughout the performance.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarKramer Baretta (custom, 1986 tour spec, single humbucker, Floyd Rose)
AmpPeavey 5150 (prototype, early version, 100-watt head) into Marshall 4x12 cabinets (Celestion G12M speakers)
Amp Settings
gain8
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Live performance, 1986 5150 tour, New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This is the exact gear Eddie Van Halen used for the solo section in this live show, as documented in multiple rig rundowns and video evidence. No evidence of studio overdubs; signal chain is classic 5150-era live rig.
Tone Character(10)
explosive high-gainsinging sustaintight, percussive attackharmonic-rich saturationaggressive pick attackliquid legato runsdistinctive flanger sweepcrisp, articulate highsthick, mid-forward presenceechoed repeats from delay
Difficulty
This solo is considered expert level due to its high speed, advanced tapping and picking techniques, and the need for precise control of effects and dynamics throughout the performance.