🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Van Halen's guitar tone

Van Halen across 8 famous tones — mostly through Marshall Super Lead Plexi, cranked "brown sound", Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt, 1968 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt 'Plexi', with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7.5 · presence 6.5 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Van Halen's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Van Halen's go-to amps

Marshall Super Lead Plexi ×2cranked "brown sound" ×2Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt ×11968 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt 'Plexi' ×1

8 famous Van Halen tones

Eruption
gain 8.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 6.5 · treble 7
You Really Got Me
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
gain 7.5 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7
Panama
gain 6 · bass 7.5 · mid 7.5 · treble 9
Hot for Teacher
gain 6 · bass 7 · mid 7 · treble 9
Jump
gain 6 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 6
Runnin with the Devil
gain 6 · bass 5 · mid 6 · treble 6
Women In Love...
gain 0 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7

Rock amp settings

Van Halen is a rock staple. See the best amp settings for rock — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

Similar artists

Pink FloydNirvanaAlice in ChainsGuns N' RosesBon JoviMy Chemical RomanceThe BeatlesThe Smashing Pumpkins

How to get Van Halen's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does Van Halen use?

Averaged across 8 of their tones: gain 6, bass 6, mid 7, treble 7.5, presence 6.5 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Van Halen?

They favour Marshall Super Lead Plexi, cranked "brown sound", Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt, 1968 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt 'Plexi' with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Van Halen's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Marshall Super Lead Plexi, cranked "brown sound", Marshall Super Lead 1959 100-watt, 1968 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt 'Plexi' and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 6, bass 6, mid 7, treble 7.5, presence 6.5 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 8 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Van Halen's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · all 1,200+ tones.