Author Topic: VHII Bridge / Bridge+Neck, Van Halen 2 stuff (Read 17381 times)

Bainzy · « **on:** October 29, 2005, 07:07:19 PM »

Guitar: My Custom Strat (ash body, ebony/maple neck)

Amp: Marshall 1959SLP RI (modded by me)
Marshall 1960A cab

Mic: Shure SM57 (40 degree angle off center, bottom right speaker, approx 1.5 inch away from grille)

Again clip is at bedroom volume levels, the amp now has a toggle switch to select between 100 and 60% volume output. On 60% mode the amp sounds a bit browner, and gets better poweramp distortion at the equivalent volume level of the 100% mode.

I guess a lot of people will be interested in the VHII because of it's ability to do early Van Halen well :twisted: , so I recorded some things from the second Van Halen album to illustrate that. It's been ages since I learnt any Van Halen so I made some of the You're No Good solo up, so it's a bit sloppy but it's all I could remember.

The first lot of riffs and things are using the bridge pickup, and the tapped harmonics is using the bridge and neck on together. I don't think that's how EVH did it but its just to show what that configuration sounds like.

Bainzy · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2005, 07:10:14 PM »

By the way, the delay is part of the amp! It's using the effects loop of the 1959slp, and after modding the amp I reinstalled the effects loop and used the analog delay I built in there - theres no reverb or delay added at the mixing desk. I'm toying with the idea of offering a built in delay as a Marshall mod, as it sounds pretty good through the effects loop.

willo · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2005, 07:14:31 PM »

Hey Bainzy, good stuff! :)

whats the deal with these amps you're modding then...is it going to be a serious, full time thing? and what ballpark are your mods going to be in, price wise?

Bainzy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2005, 07:21:25 PM »

I'm not sure whether it'd be full time yet, although I'm thinking it could be a good way to pay university fees/expenses off. Pricewise, if I made my own range of amps they'd be boutique but without the hefty pricetag - depends on total cost of parts, but I'd like them to be at least under £1000. For amp mods it'd depend on the mod, for a full rework of a 1959slp reissue around £100-150, and for a master volume mods, £20-30.

willo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2005, 07:34:02 PM »

under £1000 would be awesome!

I gather most of the US made boutique amps come in (in dollars) at around that price, the problem is that when they make it over to the UK the price skyrockets!

The number stays the same but the '$' changes to '£' :(

Bainzy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2005, 07:36:00 PM »

yeh it's a pain, if I outsourced a lot of the components it'd drive up prices so I'd try and support British business 8)

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:03:27 PM »

Quote from: willo

under £1000 would be awesome!

Yup, especially if it sounds as good as I think it will, with the description he gave in TO's thread!

Back on topic, love this tone, VHII's sound amazing really.

Bainzy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:06:53 PM »

I agree - they're a fantastic pair of pickups, I love the way how they respond so well to the pick attack :twisted:

One thing I didn't capture in this clip is just how "powerful" they sound when you dig in - that's the only way I can describe it, it's just what I want from a pickup, and I've never experienced that from one before I got my VHII's.

willo · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:43:09 PM »

yes i agree, can you get some real bite from these babies but you can also lay back and get super smooth Santana tone too. Very happy with my VHIIs :D Just looking forward to the Mothers milk/crawler combo on its way!

_tom_ · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2005, 09:59:29 PM »

Dammit you two, stop making me want these pickups! I still need a hotplate :lol:

Bainzy · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:02:22 PM »

Quote from: _tom_

Dammit you two, stop making me want these pickups! I still need a hotplate :lol:

I'm gonna have to invest in one of those at some point to test what my amp sounds like flat out, although at the moment I can get it sounding great at bedroom volumes with my master volume and 60% volume switch - which cost next to nothing in parts compared to the hotplate.

Brow · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2005, 12:52:49 AM »

Both clips (The VH 1 and the GnR 1) both sound awesome :D

If you ever get this 3 channel amp of yours up and running, and it's at a price I can afford, I definitely want 1!

The way you explained it in TOs Splawn thread pretty much described my ultimate dream amp :) :D

jt · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2005, 03:29:27 AM »

:D Reminded me how good VH2 was ! it`s always unfair as VH 1 gets all the credit, but i think VH2 has EVH`s best guitar sound. What i love about my VHII`s is the bottom end, when you drop down to the lower frets & chug a rythem part out it really chugs !! :P There very precise P/U`s they will high light every mistake & fluff you make but when your playing them & your hitting everything spot on...........What a sound !!

i should have my Feline finished soon & that`ll have CS in it. I can`t wait to try`em out in anger !!!

:D 8)

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2005, 02:02:12 PM »

Wow that set up really nails EVH's tone! Nice playing too :D

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2005, 02:04:44 PM »

Quote from: jt

:
i should have my Feline finished soon & that`ll have CS in it. I can`t wait to try`em out in anger !!!

:D 8)

What is Jonathon building you? I'm thinking of getting two built. A LP with mules 8) and a LP in all black with warpigs for detuned stuff! :twisted: I'm saving hard and have a couple of grand already!