Eddie Van Halen’s Rig
Ever wondered what Eddie Van Halen was using on tour back in 1978? Join the EVH discussion on the MetroAmp forum in a thread about Ed’s early touring amps and guitars.
With cranked Marshall plexi’s and superleads the main concern was volume: either you’d become deaf or you would blow nice 20-25 watts Celestion Greenback speakers.
We have an entire section of the forum dedicated to Van Halen and tone, so have a look.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Isaw four late Large Logo Marshalls and one of his 68 12000 series . The Large logo (Apparently 1977’s or 1976;s) where all dialed pretty much the same . He did use the 95 drop and attenuate . I think? Just what you read . I dont know to what capacity he used all those 77 JMP MKII 100 watt heads to but I know he was using high wattage speakers as well. I dont know if they were G12H30s or something much higher like EV? DOnt know at all. I saw one shot where they are outdoors and the Marshalls are in a flight case with four of them all stacked (heads) and all the same ) large logo Marshall. I also saw another angle where it was behind the scenes on the same stage same concert , yet dif set of photos where his oprized 68 12000 was turned on and in fulkl flight ? DOnt know or cant comment any further than that. I figure the the late 70s Marshalls were ther because he figured if he blew a trannie he had plenty of backup Marshalls . And lets admit those late 70s NMV Marshalls are still up to this day SOLID ! I have a 1977 Marshall MKII JMPO 100 watt “Home Tags ” head and LOVE IT . Mesa label SIEMENS which came stock in these Marshalls back then so they sound fine. Theyre are better NOS EL34 out there but for a 77 NMV they are fine . I love them. DOnt care what any one says . I get mostly positive things on them.
If your attenuating a 1968 12000 series I woulde AT LEASTR BUY AMPEREX or XF2 Double Getters and just be done with it .You know they will last ( dependant on how hard and longf you drive her :>)!!! for a long time . The preamp tubes im finding lately the Holland Bugle boys which i found a pair are AWESOME over anything ive tried . leter couple more students to go.