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AIn't Talkin' 'Bout Love (Live at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT, 8/27/1986) [2026 Remaster] Guitar Tone Settings

Van Halen · 1980s · rock

live

Original Recording

Guitar

Steinberger GL2T

Pickups

EMG active humbuckers (likely 81/85 set, as per Steinberger GL2T spec for mid-80s)

Amp

Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded, likely with dummy load and variac, as per EVH's live rig in 1986)

Pickup Position

Bridge pickup

Live performance, 1986. Guitar is confirmed from video evidence for this tour. Amp is based on typical EVH live rig for this era, with variac and dummy load for power attenuation. Pedals and effects chain based on live usage and audible effects in the riff section.

Amp Settings

Mids

Bass

Gain

5.5

Reverb

0.5

Treble

5.5

Presence

Effects Chain

MXR Phase 90 · phaser
Maestro Echoplex EP-3 · delay

Steinberger GL2T → MXR Phase 90 → Maestro Echoplex EP-3 → Marshall Super Lead 1959 (modded, no amp reverb)

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Tone Character

cranked Marshall crunch
tight palm-muted attack
bright and articulate highs
slapback echo for depth
modulated phase swirl
aggressive bridge pickup bite
dynamic pick response
minimal ambience/reverb
classic 'brown sound' warmth
percussive and punchy rhythm

Notes & Caveats

⚠️Amp settings are from studio-era sources but match live tone and are consistent with 1986 live rig; no direct photo of amp settings from this specific show.
⚠️Presence setting is estimated based on typical Marshall Super Lead usage for EVH's live tone.
⚠️Exact pedal order is inferred from interviews and typical EVH live setups; pedal settings are estimated from published interviews and effect audibility.
⚠️Pickup type is inferred from Steinberger GL2T specs and period-correct models; no direct confirmation of exact EMG model for this show.
⚠️No amp reverb used; all ambience is from the room or FOH mixing.
⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Eddie Van Halen's 1986 live tone was a high-gain, mid-forward 'brown sound' using a hot-rodded Marshall with moderate bass, strong mids, and clear but not harsh treble/presence; reverb is minimal as most ambience was from the venue, not the amp.