GuitarDistortedRiff
Drop Dead Legs Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Van Halen
Van Halen · 1980s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1958 Gibson Flying V
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbuckers
Amp
Marshall Super Lead (plexi, late 1960s, modded by Jose Arredondo)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1983-1984. Eddie Van Halen confirmed in Guitar World interview that the '58 Flying V was used for 'Drop Dead Legs' riff. Amp is the same Marshall Super Lead used on first six Van Halen albums, modded for higher gain. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for this section.
Amp Settings
Mids7.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- saturated British crunch
- tight palm-muted chugs
- harmonic-rich sustain
- aggressive attack
- midrange bite
- percussive low end
- articulate pick attack
- classic 'brown sound'
- slightly compressed dynamics
- hot-rodded Marshall overdrive