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Women In Love... — Van Halen1 / 2
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Women In Love... Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Van Halen

Van Halen · 1970s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Homemade 'Frankenstrat' (Boogie Bodies Strat-style ash body, maple neck, Gibson PAF bridge humbucker, vintage Strat tremolo)
Pickups
Gibson PAF humbucker (bridge position)
Amp
1968 Marshall Super Lead 100-watt head (run through Variac, Marshall 1960A 4x12 cab)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Gibson PAF humbucker)

Studio recording, 1979 for Van Halen II. Guitar is the original Frankenstrat with a single bridge humbucker. Amp is the Marshall Plexi run through a Variac to drop voltage. No evidence of live rig or later amps for this recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
7
Reverb
2
Treble
7
Presence
6.5

Effects Chain

  • Univox EC-80A Tape Echo · delay

Frankenstrat (bridge humbucker) → Univox EC-80A Tape Echo → 1968 Marshall Super Lead (Variac) → Marshall 4x12 cab

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Tone Character

  • chimey and glassy
  • harmonically rich
  • open and airy
  • articulate tapped harmonics
  • slightly compressed
  • bright but not harsh
  • percussive attack
  • clear note separation
  • touch-sensitive
  • classic 'brown sound' shimmer

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct amp knob settings for 'Women In Love...' found; settings estimated based on era, amp model, and typical EVH Plexi/Variac setup.
  • ⚠️No evidence of chorus, flanger, or phaser on the riff section; delay is clearly audible and confirmed by multiple sources.
  • ⚠️Pickup position inferred from Frankenstrat wiring (single bridge humbucker only).
  • ⚠️Some forum posts speculate about Strat positions, but studio evidence and interviews confirm Frankenstrat with bridge humbucker for this track.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The 'Women In Love...' riff features Eddie Van Halen's signature late-70s 'brown sound': crunchy but not saturated, with forward mids, moderate bass, and smooth treble, likely from a cranked Marshall Plexi with a variac. The reverb is subtle, as typical for Van Halen I/II era, and the presence adds clarity without harshness.

Sources