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Riff Tone
Mean Street
Van Halen
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFrankenstrat (custom-built Strat-style guitar by Eddie Van Halen, maple neck, single humbucker in bridge position)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (heavily modded, run through a Variac at reduced voltage, loaded with EL34s, no master volume)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1981. Guitar volume often rolled back slightly for dynamics. No evidence of pedals in front for the riff; effects are minimal. Amp is the classic modded Marshall Super Lead with Variac, as used on 'Fair Warning'.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussive attackexplosive and dynamichot-rodded British cruncharticulate with fast transient responsebeefy low endnot overly distorted, retains clarityaggressive palm mutingslightly compressed from amp overdrivegreat dynamics, responds to picking intensityclassic 'Brown Sound' warmth
Difficulty
The riff is considered expert-level due to its unique two-handed tapping, percussive slaps, and the need for tight, articulate rhythm playing at tempo. Mastery of both hands and dynamic control is required.
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarFrankenstrat (custom-built Strat-style guitar by Eddie Van Halen, maple neck, single humbucker in bridge position)
AmpMarshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt (heavily modded, run through a Variac at reduced voltage, loaded with EL34s, no master volume)
Amp Settings
gain7.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
This tone has been researched 2 times by the community
Notes
Studio recording, 1981. Guitar volume often rolled back slightly for dynamics. No evidence of pedals in front for the riff; effects are minimal. Amp is the classic modded Marshall Super Lead with Variac, as used on 'Fair Warning'.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussive attackexplosive and dynamichot-rodded British cruncharticulate with fast transient responsebeefy low endnot overly distorted, retains clarityaggressive palm mutingslightly compressed from amp overdrivegreat dynamics, responds to picking intensityclassic 'Brown Sound' warmth
Difficulty
The riff is considered expert-level due to its unique two-handed tapping, percussive slaps, and the need for tight, articulate rhythm playing at tempo. Mastery of both hands and dynamic control is required.