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Riff Tone

In a Simple Rhyme

Van Halen

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarRickenbacker 360/12 (studio recording, main riff section)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 (plexi, late 1970s/early 1980s, likely with Variac)

Amp Settings

gain7.5
bass6

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1980. Multiple sources and forum discussions suggest Eddie Van Halen used a Rickenbacker in the studio for 'In a Simple Rhyme' riff section, not his usual Frankenstrat. Amp is the classic Marshall Super Lead with Variac, as used on Women and Children First. No evidence of pedals or effects beyond amp distortion and possible light reverb.

Tone Character(10)
chiming and janglyopen and airytight and percussive attackslight breakup (edge of crunch)bright and articulatedynamic and responsiveminimal compressionclear note separationclassic British crunchno audible modulation or delay

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic accuracy, dynamic picking, and clean chord articulation with a crunchy but not overly saturated tone. The use of a 12-string electric adds complexity to the voicings and picking dynamics.

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