All musicians
EV
Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen
Hard Rock1972–2020USA
Built his own guitar, browned out a Marshall with a Variac, and invented a whole vocabulary of tapping and harmonics.
Known for: Eruption, Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love, Panama
4
gear entries
4
with sources
Rig rundown
Pedals
1MXR Phase 90
PedalThe script-logo Phase 90 for the swirl on the early records.
Amps
1Marshall Super Lead 'Plexi'
AmpA 100-watt plexi, run through a Variac at lowered voltage for extra grind.
Guitars
1Charvel / Kramer 'Frankenstrat'
GuitarHis homemade partscaster — ash body, single humbucker, one volume knob.
Other gear
1General Electric Variac variable transformer
OtherRan the amp below 120V to brown out the tone.