GuitarDistortedRiff
Humans Being Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Van Halen
Van Halen · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ernie Ball Music Man Edward Van Halen Signature (EVH) with Floyd Rose tremolo
Pickups
Custom DiMarzio humbuckers (bridge position, high output)
Amp
Peavey 5150 head with matching 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 1995-1996. This was the first era of the Peavey 5150 amp, and Eddie used his signature Ernie Ball Music Man guitar for the Balance album and soundtrack sessions. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb1.5
Treble7
Presence6.5
Effects Chain
- MXR Phase 90 · phaser
- MXR Flanger (likely EVH117 or original MXR Flanger) · flanger
Guitar → MXR Phase 90 → MXR Flanger → Peavey 5150 head → 4x12 cabinet (amp spring reverb at low level)
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Tone Character
- tight, saturated rhythm crunch
- aggressive palm-muted chugs
- percussive attack
- articulate pick definition
- thick, harmonically rich distortion
- fast note decay
- focused midrange punch
- slightly scooped but not hollow
- modern hard rock clarity
- minimal ambience