Van Halen F.U.C.K. album

[charvelstrat81]

An alternative to the Pitch Factor for detuning on the cheap is the Yamaha SPX90, which probably was on even more albums and in more pro rigs than the H3000. EVH never used it, sure, but more or less all the other top guns did... and even if it isn´t really the F.U.C.K sound you can recognize the SPX90 from a mile away.

I forgot all about this old rack! yeah these were great, marty friedman used one as well as many others.
I just need a SMOOTH detune sound? like you said VH did not use this but how it is for pitch shift/detune compared to a intellefex i have now?
should be able to get one cheap thanks for the reminder!

BTW, how is the SPX90II?

 

[Dave L]

Well, the Intellifex is probably an objectively better pitch shifter as it is a solid product from a later generation of processing, but as far as detune goes there are two classic sounds in my book; the Eventides and the SPX90. Smooth isn´t the word, but in all its lo-fi, band-limited funkyness it´s very juicy.

The SPX90II is the same but more reliable and supposedly less noisy. The 900 also shares the same basic sound but can do more stuff and has a better reverb.

Anyhoo, back on topic!

 

[reverymike]

Yep, DeMartini used the SPX90 for detune quite a bit.

 

[charvelstrat81]

Yep, DeMartini used the SPX90 for detune quite a bit.

like this tone? if so i will get one off ebay right now!
https://youtu.be/VIwLRfuTcko?t=2m39s
FWIW, Dave freidman also recomended a SPX90 for a alternate pitch detune to get Ed's tone on F.U.C.K

Postby RACKSYSTEMS » Mon May 19, 2008 6:21 am

spx will do it. Dave

Postby RACKSYSTEMS » Mon May 19, 2008 4:27 pm

To be honest I think the spx does this effect the best.Then the h3000. Dave

 

[charvelstrat81]

Seems to me eddie could have really and i mean really used a pitch pedal here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjx_GjyXCs4#t=118

 

[Dave L]

The H3000 sounds a lot bigger and clearer doing detune than the SPX90 does, but on the other hand the H3000 doesn´t really sound as greasy as the SPX so it all comes down to preference. I still have a SPX90II around, but if I plug it in these days it´s mostly for the symphonic chorus.

That RATT-clip probably isn´t the SPX, by the way, it came out in 1985.

 

[charvelstrat81]

The H3000 sounds a lot bigger and clearer doing detune than the SPX90 does, but on the other hand the H3000 doesn´t really sound as greasy as the SPX so it all comes down to preference. I still have a SPX90II around, but if I plug it in these days it´s mostly for the symphonic chorus.

That RATT-clip probably isn´t the SPX, by the way, it came out in 1985.

there is no way i can afford the H3000 even used so the SPX90 will have to do.
I think warren used the PCM 70 and 80?
I love that tone he got back then

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, Warren loves those Lexicons but what he was using back in 1984 I have no clue about. The 70 also came out in 1985 and the 80 is from the 90s.

 

[charvelstrat81]

Yeah, Warren loves those Lexicons but what he was using back in 1984 I have no clue about. The 70 also came out in 1985 and the 80 is from the 90s.

I just want to get that same lead tone he got on that vid i posted!
I actually prefer it to VH's later tone

 

[CP5150]

I'll tell you this. I don't care what Ed, Matt Bruck, or Soldano employees say. And I've read a lot since 1991. My Peavey 5150 head with matching 4x12 cab is Judgement Day. Like it or not it nails it with a medium output or higher Humbucker guitar. Most trying to copy it miss the extra gain stages. Which are the double edged sword of the 5150. There was a period of time I hated that about it. Now I've tuned it out. Unless I'm trying to hear it. Like if I'm on a F.U.C.K. kick. Currently I'm into VH II and somtimes I think I hear some of that in my old 5150. But that's another story...

I'm told my Peavey 5150 and EBMM Axis nail the F.U.C.K. tone. I like my old 1987 RG550 better. Sounds closer to my ear.

It should come close, shouldn't it? After all, a 5150 is Peaveys attempt at cloning an SLO....

Yep. There's a Peavey manager who says Ed sent a SLO and his Marshall to them and said copy this. Marshall is rhythym. SLO is lead channel. Interview is on the web.

And my RG550 has stock though upgraded stock pickups. IBZ V2 it says on the bridge pickup. Most every other one I've ever seen say nothing on the pickups. Not to be confused with the later models that say V2 in a kind of script logo. I didn't like those pickups. Mine to me is a little like a Tone Zone. Has a similar growl yet it's lower output. And a bit bassy which I blame on basswood. Tone Zone is my favorite pickup by the way.

 

[reverymike]

FYI, the primary effect you're hearing in that Ratt video you posted is reverb. He might have a hair of pitch on it, but you're hearing a lot of verb. . .possibly just from the room.

 

[charvelstrat81]

I'll tell you this. I don't care what Ed, Matt Bruck, or Soldano employees say. And I've read a lot since 1991. My Peavey 5150 head with matching 4x12 cab is Judgement Day. Like it or not it nails it with a medium output or higher Humbucker guitar. Most trying to copy it miss the extra gain stages. Which are the double edged sword of the 5150. There was a period of time I hated that about it. Now I've tuned it out. Unless I'm trying to hear it. Like if I'm on a F.U.C.K. kick. Currently I'm into VH II and somtimes I think I hear some of that in my old 5150. But that's another story...

I'm told my Peavey 5150 and EBMM Axis nail the F.U.C.K. tone. I like my old 1987 RG550 better. Sounds closer to my ear.

It should come close, shouldn't it? After all, a 5150 is Peaveys attempt at cloning an SLO....

Yep. There's a Peavey manager who says Ed sent a SLO and his Marshall to them and said copy this. Marshall is rhythym. SLO is lead channel. Interview is on the web.

And my RG550 has stock though upgraded stock pickups. IBZ V2 it says on the bridge pickup. Most every other one I've ever seen say nothing on the pickups. Not to be confused with the later models that say V2 in a kind of script logo. I didn't like those pickups. Mine to me is a little like a Tone Zone. Has a similar growl yet it's lower output. And a bit bassy which I blame on basswood. Tone Zone is my favorite pickup by the way.

The Ibanez V8 is the one that is similar to the TZ?
The V2 is much lower output and was only used on the RG 550's from the first 2 years
what year is your RG 550?

 

[charvelstrat81]

FYI, the primary effect you're hearing in that Ratt video you posted is reverb. He might have a hair of pitch on it, but you're hearing a lot of verb. . .possibly just from the room.

Yeah i like the effect that is giving the lead tone that "liquid" type of quality and a slight detune/pitch shifter will do that right?

 

[IntenseJim]

I have not read the whole thread but I recall the article where Ed and Bruck said the main amps used were the SLO esp on TOP OF THE WORLD solo, CAE3+ preamp, and mayybe the Peavey.

 

[charvelstrat81]

I have not read the whole thread but I recall the article where Ed and Bruck said the main amps used were the SLO esp on TOP OF THE WORLD solo, CAE3+ preamp, and mayybe the Peavey.

IF the 5150 was on there it was a proto but i am just about 99.5% sure he did not even have that amp yet

 

[IntenseJim]

I have not read the whole thread but I recall the article where Ed and Bruck said the main amps used were the SLO esp on TOP OF THE WORLD solo, CAE3+ preamp, and mayybe the Peavey.

IF the 5150 was on there it was a proto but i am just about 99.5% sure he did not even have that amp yet

I think you're right.

 

[Bluplirst]

I have not read the whole thread but I recall the article where Ed and Bruck said the main amps used were the SLO esp on TOP OF THE WORLD solo, CAE3+ preamp, and mayybe the Peavey.

IF the 5150 was on there it was a proto but i am just about 99.5% sure he did not even have that amp yet

I think he used a 5150 proto on Man on a Mission.

 

[SFW]

In a 1993 interview in Guitar he said that the 5150 pronto was used on a few solo over dubs.

 

[thiswaythatway]

See, that's where you just can't trust YouTube for tone. Don't get me wrong, I like 5150s...they don't compare to the Soldano. Its not close, at least when you play one then the other. And I have. But bang for the buck 5150s are great, and that trend continues with EVH.

I just played an SLO last week, first time in years I've tried one. I'm not saying a 5150 sounds better than an SLO but I found that the SLO simply does not have the amount of gain the 5150 does, not really even close. I'm not saying the SLO sounds bad either but it wasn't my thing at all. For metal though I'd take a 5150 without question, for hard rock, classic rock, etc I'd pick an SLO. But that's between those amps, plenty of guys like their SLO's but damm, I didn't bond with it at all.

 

[marvcus]

See, that's where you just can't trust YouTube for tone. Don't get me wrong, I like 5150s...they don't compare to the Soldano. Its not close, at least when you play one then the other. And I have. But bang for the buck 5150s are great, and that trend continues with EVH.

I just played an SLO last week, first time in years I've tried one. I'm not saying a 5150 sounds better than an SLO but I found that the SLO simply does not have the amount of gain the 5150 does, not really even close. I'm not saying the SLO sounds bad either but it wasn't my thing at all. For metal though I'd take a 5150 without question, for hard rock, classic rock, etc I'd pick an SLO. But that's between those amps, plenty of guys like their SLO's but damm, I didn't bond with it at all.

Funny, I had the opposite experience (but I am not a metal guy)...

I had a 5150 combo for a few years and while I loved the gain and thump on rhythm and chords, I thought it was too clunky for leads. Overall, I felt like the sound was out of focus; it seemed like when you hit a note, you'd get a clean fundamental sound and, on the side, you'd get this fuzzed-out sizzle. Very loose gain, kinda like looking through unfocused binoculars.

Then, I had the chance to play a SLO and immediately thought that it was the perfect 5150. Still had the gain on like 4-5 and it was enough, the notes were tighter and the leads were more liquid. No contest for me.

That said, I would really love to see an article or book that detailed exactly what rigs EVH used on all the albums -- at this point he has nothing to lose. Maybe we could piece it together?