Talk:Eddie Van Halen

Variac

With regards to the usage of the variac: Is there any evidence that Eddie used the variac on the input AC supply?

I had always asumed he used the variac to lower the voltage on the speaker output.

Alex

But Alex is at Alex van Halen. RickK

So I'll move it. Problem solved. -- Jim Regan 02:20 10 Jul 2003 (UTC)

Big fan

edward van halen is the all time guitar GOD!!!!!!!

A.J.S

One take on "Beat it", etc.

When discussing Eddie's work on Beat It, it should be noted that his ripping guitar solo was done in one take. --Ross

Also, I believe EVH wasn't paid a cent up front or in royalities by his choice for his contribution to "Beat It".

Another item, I think EVH is a classically-trained virtuoso 'pianist' not guitar player.

Van Halen rarely if ever did solos in one take. His usual method was to record 3 or 4 different versions, then pick the best parts out of each. They were either edited together, or he would try to duplicate how he thought they should run together. The exception to that was most of the first album. Those were ready to go, sincethey had been playing and evolving those songs for 3 or 4 years in clubs.--Xj14y 16:42, 27 Sep 2004 (UTC)

i agree. i think it was Bruce Swedien (MJ engineer) who said that the "beat it" solo wasn't one take, but "very few" takes. SaltyPig 11:23, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

A good example of the "spice and dice" solo is "Good Enough" from 5150. My understaning is that that solo was created on the mixing board.

I'm pretty sure EVH did not do the riff for Thriller, nor anything in the movie Back to the Future. Aren't those both two long standing myths?

He did work on Beat It, at the behest of Quincy Jones, which was on the Thriller album. The song in Back To The Future that was titled "Donut City". He made a 4 or 5 minute song to use 3 seconds of it in the movie. Not myths. --Xj14y 18:14, 25 Oct 2004 (UTC)

As for the "Beat it" song, the rhythm guitar was played by Steve Lukather (ex-Toto) guitarist. Alot of Ed's solos from his first few albums were done in one take. As for Back to the Future, the clip Michael J Fox blared on his walkman in the movie, was from a pre-Van Halen track that was never used in any album and was not from the song "Donut City"

And yes Ed is most definitely the all time guitar god.

There is a story that Eddie was fighting with someone on the phone. When the phone rang in the middle of this fight, Eddie picked it up and said something to the effect of, "I told you not to keep calling me!" The story goes it was Quincy Jones calling to ask about doing the spot on the Thriller album. Eddie felt so bad about talking that way to QJ, when the latter asked him what he wanted for consideration (money, royalites), Eddie said he'd felt bad about the business on the phone, so "let's just call it even."

rhythm guitar

While his prowess as a stunning soloist is well established, what is not widely known is that Van Halen is also among the greatest rhythm guitarists in rock history.

whoever added that sentence is... well, you're a genius. EVH was one of the tightest rhythm dudes around (e.g., overdub on "feel your love tonight" solo, most of the "fair warning" album) — stunning work that's often ignored in favor of the flash. very glad to see it mentioned in the article. nice job. SaltyPig 11:23, 27 August 2005 (UTC)

There is a great quote that, unfortunately I have to paraphrase because I find it, from Van Halen that goes: "I'm truly a right-handed guitarist." He was making reference to his perference for rhythm. The quote is used as the opening quote for the rhythm chapter of a guitar-lesson book that I used to have. If anyone can find it, quote it exactly, I think it would be a nice addition to honour Ed's great rhythm technique. --Bentonia School 10:23, 17 February 2007 (UTC)

• How can "greatness" be not widely known?! It's an awful fanboy quote, dripping in POV. Few consider EVH a rhythm guitarist at all, let alone.....well, you know. -- Delsource (talk) 22:04, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

tuning

i just noticed that the second quote i put in could be construed as referring to a retuning of the E string to D (or similar). here's the context, which i trimmed because i didn't want it to seem like the article was on an eff word kick. if somebody can remove the possible confusion without dropping another eff bomb in the same section, please do: If you tune an open E chord in the first position and it's perfectly in tune, and then you hit a barre chord an octave higher, it's out of tune. The B string is always a motherfucker to keep in tune all the time! So I have to retune for certain songs. And when I use the Floyd onstage, I have to unclamp it and do it real quick. But with a standard-vibrato guitar, I can tune it while I'm playing. SaltyPig 14:25, 31 August 2005 (UTC)

Moving factoids

I moved these tidbits from the band's article. Perhaps someone can use them in this article.

• His main influence was Eric Clapton (of Cream), and Alex's were Ginger Baker (also of Cream) and John Bonham (of Led Zeppelin).

EVH has mentioned many influences. I have listed some of the more prominent; I accept that Eric Clapton was the most important influence, but there were others that EVH has mentioned, including Allan Holdsworth, who influenced EVH's speed, legato style and tremelo arm techniques. In fact EVH said of Holdsworth, "He's the best in my book." It's appropriate therefore to put these guitarists in alongside Clapton.

Note from Glucoboost: I think it's important to keep EVH's quote about Holdsworth in. This quote comes from an 1980 interview in Guitar Player (http://www.vhlinks.com/pages/interviews/evh/gp0480.php). Notably, this interview occurred early in EVH's career, so it's clear that Allan Holdsworth is a major influence. Please read the interview for the context.

I think it's reasonably for fans of EVH to know who he thinks is the best.

Ridiculously Random Fact, originating from the comment: "One Take On Beat It etc."

Did you know that "Good Enough" was played on the movie Space Balls? It's heard near the end when they're all sitting at some restaurant. I recommend checking it out.

slop

if you don't yet know how to write somewhat smoothly, please don't hack away at articles. this is worse than a blank page -- slop piled on top of slop. did i say "slop" yet? cause that's what it is. and when it's not slop, it's trite. what purpose is served by treasuring/polishing these "contributions"? none, in the short or long term. fix your own dreck or never add it in the first place. Wbfl 04:43, 26 October 2005 (UTC)

Sources

I've begun sourcing this page. You can help by leaving information on my talk page, or on this talk page. - Corbin ∫ 1 ɱ p s ɔ ♫ ^{Rock on, dude!} 20:10, 12 April 2006 (UTC)

Tuning: "Perfect" thirds

There's no such interval as a perfect third (see Interval (music)). I'm not sure what this section is actually getting at - flattening the B string slightly doesn't create a "perfect" third, just a slightly flat major third. Is "perfect" being used here to indicate that the new interval doesn't sound dissonant through an amp? If so, we need to find a new word. Soobrickay 01:11, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

as you'll note if you visit the articles on perfect fourths and fifths, perfect intervals are "so called because of their extremely simple pitch relationships resulting in a high degree of consonance". you claim that EVH's flatted B string "doesn't create a 'perfect' third, just a slightly flat major third." that's incorrect. a major third in equal temperament is intentionally detuned from consonant to the wide side (top note sharp). EVH's major achievement was in recognizing that he could flat the B string back from this bastardized state, to bring consonant thirds as (or more) beatless as perfect fifths. rather than the "slightly flat major third" of your claim, it was a slightly unsharped major third, rendering that third perfect. he then learned to bend the B string up when playing, for example, an open D chord.

the reason you are under the false impression that "there's no such interval as a perfect third" is because there is no such thing as a perfect third in equal temperament tuning, and you've probably done nothing but play in equal temperament and learn equal temperament theory. however, what EVH did was deviate from equal temperament tuning, bringing a real perfect third into the mix.

Is "perfect" being used here to indicate that the new interval doesn't sound dissonant through an amp?

absolutely.

we need to find a new word.

no, you need to learn what you're talking about. at least you could google "perfect third" before making your false pronouncements. 65.145.193.132 09:16, 13 May 2006 (UTC)

Citation About "Alan Holdsworth is number one."

I have the whole quote on page 21 in my Guitar Legends: Van Halen magazine:

"I'd just want people to like what I play. I don't want people to say, "You're number one." It's a matter of taste. To me, Allan Holdsworth is number one. Kids might listen to him and not even understand what he's doing. Older people might think I suck."

dude we need a better pic of him in his later years

I mean I have one, but I don't know how to put it in! :P

dude, there isn't a better pic of him. Face it, the hot Eddie of the 80's and 90's is at the bottom of his Jim Beam. So sad. Can't the guy afford teeth? -- — Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.47.15.38 (talk • contribs)

They dressed the best in the 70s with the long silks 14:23, 14 January 2007 (UTC) -Ben

Band or artist?

I think, there is too much stuff about the band in the article, rather than about Eddie himself. --Martinxxxx72 16:02, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Looking better in the morning, Floyd Rose goes sharp

As I major Eddie fan and imitator, I am so saddened to see that picture posted. It's the pits. It's one of those pictures that get's someone at their worst. I've looked that bad sometimes, but luckily nobody caught it on film. Whoever posted it needs to apply at 'The Enquirer', right after he gets his ass kicked. On a technical note... the stuff about the Floyd Rose tuning: If you don't have the tremelo all the way against the body (No Rising Technique)when a string breaks the tension of six strings in tune is distributed against FIVE stings. The spring tension is greater and therefore pulls UP on the bar, causing the guiter to go SHARP...not flat, in tuning, as mentioned in the article.

PS: I have replaced the disgusting photo, with a much better one from this year. If any one can help me with the copyright stuff, it was a publicity photo from germany. The company info is:

Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH New Media & Market Research Vertretungsberechtigter: Tim van Dyk Verantwortlicher im Sinne von § 6 des Mediendienstestaatsvertrages (MDStV): Benedikt Loekes Alter Wandrahm 13-14 20457 Hamburg

........................................My2Cents,t1n02112

Floyd will go sharp with lost string

With a Floyd Rose (or any floating fulcrum style vibrato), breaking a string will cause the remaining strings to go sharp, not flat. This is because the loss of tension string-side is countered by the even spring-side tension - the springs can pull the vibrato unit further, causing the remaining strings to go sharp.

Porn music

Hey, I just heard on the news that Eddie Van Halen is now writing songs for porn soundtracks, I was wondering if anyone had a verifiable source for this, and if so, maybe it should go into the article under "Later years". --Cyde↔Weys 14:37, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

"Perfect" third

the fact is that there is no such thing as a "Perfect" third in western music which uses tertian harmony. there are major thirds, minor thirds, diminished thirds and augmented thirds. The term for what Eddie Van Halen is doing is flatening the Major third interval until it reaches just intonation. --Anthraxrulz 10:23, 28 July 2006 (UTC)

Dimebag memorial

He made an appearance at Dimebag Darrell's memorial service(December 12, 2004?) and donated his guitar from the Van Halen II album. It was buried with Dime, as said from "VH1's Behind the Music: Pantera" and other various sources found with a google search.

Text removed from article

Eddie has recently said publicly that David Lee Roth is the best front man ever, despite that they had conflicts together.

Eddie is widely respected as one of the modern days greatest guitarists for his ability to create a large sound and fill out the space on songs.

Legendary Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour has commented that Eddie is a guitar player that he respects widely. This is a big compliment as Gilmour has always declared a lack of interest in most modern music and always preferred the music that he grew up listening to.

These paragraphs were in the "sources" section. They need to be worked into the article proper if they're to be there at all. - furrykef (Talk at me) 03:53, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Wolfgang

When you click the link for Wolfgang, it redirects to this article...but I don't know much about wiki, so somebody who does, I just though I would bring this to attention.--Sneewop 02:01, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Collaboration request

I think this article needs a lot of work, and could become a great article with all the material that is available on EVH. I would like to start by removing unsourced material (there is a lot of it), and trying to move material that is more about the band to the Van Halen article. Anyone interested in helping out? --Aguerriero (talk) 15:00, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

I'll try to chip in. The Innovation section reads like so much "OR" but some of it must have a reference somewhere...I'll browse for some. The opening line of that section is a little weasely too. And the word virtuoso shouldn't be on any guitarist page no matter who they are. I'll get slapped trying to rm it but if anyone agree's please turf it. Anger22 18:03, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Pickups & Beat it.

There is no mention of when Edward was looking for "the brown sound" and experimenting on guitars how he would re-wind pickups or swap magnets or manipulate pickups from different companys. Also his Humbucker phase is very interesting.
As for "Beat it" I think it is pretty much common knowledge that he did 3 takes and used the first one, no cut & splice. Also a lot of his playing style is from playing in a 3 piece band so he would "noodle" around abit for filler. It was Ted Templeman who talked him into using overdubs, which he hated doing.
Also no info on his input in the Music Man EVH guitars, ie.how all the necks were shaven down and shaped after his worn down kramer necks to fit him better than a new neck.

"I don't really go for DiMarzio pickups, because they're real distorted. I like a clean sound with sustain -- I hate the fuzz box, real raspy sound. So I put a PAF magnet in a DiMarzio pickup and rewound it by hand, which took a long lime. I actually ruined about three pickups, and by the fourth time it worked. I didn't count the windings -- I just did it by sight." EVH Dec 1979 Guitar Player darrennie 06:54, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

2004 Summer Tour Guitar Smashing Incident

This article tries to claim that Edward Van Halen definitely destroyed his guitar (and does not mention there was a second one destroyed or when) because of growing tention between himself and lead singer Sammy Hagar. On November 22, 2004, VHND.com wrote:

Not only did the IloveAllAccess representative inform the Five Star fans before the show that many pranks were planned by the band and the crew, such as the Great Silly String Assault, but she specifically forewarned "I'm not going to tell you, But I will Say Whatever You Do, DO NOT be in the Bathroom During RIGHT NOW." Our source does tell us that Ed was in fact very mad at someone backstage that night, but it wasn't Valerie, his girlfriend, his son, or anyone else in the VH camp so we do not think it appropriate to name them.

I was also at the August 10, 2004 show at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, and, Van Halen neither appeared intoxicated, nor played poorly, as stated in both this article as well as in Van Halen.

Origin of tapping

I've added some text to the technique section, including a quote from EVH talking about the role of the Heartbreaker solo in developing the techique. If we need a citation for this, I will find one from a book somewhere, so please don't randomly delete it. Also, I think it's very important to point out that EVH did not invent tapping as a technique - it's a commonly held misconception, but false. Of course he may well have come up with the technique independently (can't really see him listening to Steve Hackett to be honest).Mikejstevenson 15:17, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

The great Les Paul was pick-hand tapping and fret-hand pulling-off in the 50s. Can't for the life of me find a decent reference though..... -- Delsource (talk) 00:46, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Playing truant

The line about playing truant from school seems a bit contentious without a direct citation - so have removed itMikejstevenson 15:37, 19 December 2006 (UTC)

Merge to Van Halen page

there are some interesting (though uncited) facts on the formation of Van Halen here, which I think would be better off in the main band page. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mikejstevenson (talk • contribs) 07:29, 20 December 2006 (UTC).

Ongoing work

We're getting there. But still more work required. Will continue plugging on.Mikejstevenson 11:14, 21 December 2006 (UTC)

Create a new article

Since the section on eddie van halen's equipment is getting quite long, it might be a good idea to summarize what we have right now, and move what is currently there to a new article, such as Eddie Van Halen's rig or something like that. Any thoughts? Justinmeister 18:54, 22 December 2006 (UTC)

You can try. A more "encyclopedic" article title though. It stands a chance of just being tagged for merger back to this article unless it can be completely "Wiki-clean"...wikified sections, inline citations(preferably book refs) and fair use images. If you decide to break it out let me know and I will watchlist it for vandalism. Anger22 (Talk 2 22) 01:22, 23 December 2006 (UTC)

In principle yes, but would recommend we keep it here until the article gets to the point where it's 'solid' ;) Mikejstevenson 13:46, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

EVH is an American citizen right?

Why is he a "Dutch guitarist" if he moved here and trained and started his career here when he was a toddler. Has Eddie even been to Holland except to tour? If he was an American citizen in the 70's-80's then it is insulting to list him as Dutch, since Van Halen itself is an American band. 11:47, 9 January 2007 (UTC) -Ben

It should be changed to American. That's like saying Joe Satriani is an Italian guitarist. True, he is of Dutch ethnicity, but he is an American citizen and played in an American band. Justinmeister 16:46, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Because, dumbass, he was born in the Netherlands. Even though he is a citizen, he is still Dutch.

Better intro needed

I don't think the introduction to this article provides enough initial information about Eddie Van Halen or sums up his influence and contribution to music and guitar in particular. If one were to compare the introduction to the Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page articles, you will see they are fleshed out much more by the inclusion information about their accomplishments. I propose authoring an additions to the introduction that adds some of this information about Eddie Van Halen's career.

I would agree with this idea. Robertknyc 07:17, 26 January 2007 (UTC)

I have written the following proposed revision to the introduction. I have not provided sources, as most of the information in this intro can be found elsewhere in the article.

Edward (Eddie) Lodewijk Van Halen, born Eduard Lodewijk van Halen on January 26, 1955[1] in Nijmegen, Netherlands, is a guitarist, songwriter and producer most famous for being a co-founder of the hard rock band, Van Halen.

As a guitarist, Edward Van Halen has been a ground breaking and highly influential musician, popularizing a number of techniques, such as two-handed tapping, extreme and expressive use of tremelo bars, pinch and artificial harmonics, as well as gear, such as Super Strats and Floyd Rose tremolos. Van Halen’s tone, techniques and equipment has made a lasting impact on a number of genres, particularly hard rock, heavy metal and shred guitar.

--Gypsyjazzbo 11:29, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Birthday

I changed the date of birth into 1957, if I missed a date (or if someone knows how to change the category "birth") I would be pleased if someone would submit it. 14:17, 27. Jan. 2007

According to imdb.com, allmusic.com, the Starpulse listing linked in the article, NNDB [1], and the less-reputable "The Van Halen Newsdesk" fansite (which said in 2001 that he celebrated his 46th birthday), Edward Van Halen was born on January 26, 1955. I cannot find a source saying he was born on Jan 26 1957, other than this here Wiki article which keeps being changed to say that. If someone can find two or more checkable sources with a decent reputation that say for sure and without a doubt that Eddie was born in 1957, then let's change it, but otherwise, please leave it alone. Thanks. Salamurai 15:52, 27 January 2007 (UTC)

I can't see the tour lasting

First off I worship Ed. I'd pay to see him and Wolfy play (alex too) but Dave. When he took over for Stern on the East coast I couldn't listen to Van Halen song's. He's gone. Hey, 1982 he was probally the best front man out there, now he need to quit. Just remember Rod and Beck, the egos will kill this tour. Long live Edward he is a god. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.230.246.236 (talk) 22:21, 4 February 2007 (UTC).

Too much detail on Floyd Rose tremolos

The Floyd Rose was a big part of EVH's style, but it dosn't need to be explained in so much detail on the EVH page.

Most of the Floyd Rose tremolo info in this article duplicates info at the Wikipedia entry for "Floyd Rose". —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.236.158.195 (talk) 07:33, 23 February 2007 (UTC).

Solo album

He said on the Howard Stern show that he's releasing a solo album, has there been any word on it since then. 75pickup (talk · contribs) 02:57, 28 February 2007 (UTC)

Emmy Awards Photo

I don't think that photo is from 1993. 1993 was just after the F.U.C.K. tour and the same year that Live: Right Here, Right Now was released. Ed was much heavier in those days, his face was much fuller. This photo is definitely from the 80s. Since it is supposedly from the Emmy Awards, it's most likely 1983 when One Day at a Time was still on air. It should be checked for clarity. I can't source it but it is certainly not from the 90s. --Bentonia School 20:28, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

That photo is part of this series of photo's. See also this image which clearly shows it's the 1993 Emmy's. Garion96 (talk) 20:37, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

B-Class Guitarist article'?

What the hell is this 'B-Class Guitarist article' thing on the categories list? Has anyone had a look at that list? It lists Jimi Hendrix, for Christ's sake! Ed is no B-Class guitarist, himself, but what faith can anyone have in Wikipedia if it lists Hendrix as 'B-class'? Ridiculous. --Bentonia School 20:33, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

The article is B-Class, not Van Halen himself. —Chowbok ☠ 20:42, 9 March 2007 (UTC)