Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love by Van Halen — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.
To capture the iconic tone of 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love', we'll use the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster for its strat-style body and the Fender Mustang LT25 to emulate the Marshall Plexi sound. The 'SUPER ROCK' preset on the Mustang LT25 provides a solid foundation for the crunchy, mid-forward tone, while the Strat's bright single-coils will be adjusted to mimic a humbucker's warmth and punch.
Signal chain settings
Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster — main guitar
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Selector | Bridge Pickup | Selects the bridge pickup to emulate the humbucker sound used by Eddie Van Halen. |
| Master Volume | 8 | Set high for a strong output, driving the amp into crunch. |
| Tone 1 | Leave at default | Not used for the bridge pickup. |
| Tone 2 | 5 | Keeps the bridge pickup bright but not harsh. |
Fender Mustang LT25 — main amplifier
| Control | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Preset | [22] SUPER ROCK | Closest preset to the Marshall Plexi sound with the required crunch and mid-forward character. |
| Gain | 8 | Pushes the amp into a saturated tube crunch, matching the recording's aggressive tone. |
| Volume | 5 | Balances the output level without losing dynamics. |
| Treble | 6 | Enhances the upper mids and treble for a biting tone. |
| Bass | 4 | Tightens the low end to prevent muddiness. |
| Master | 5 | Controls overall loudness while maintaining headroom. |
| Cabinet build | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
| Amp Models | Not used | Not needed for this tone — leave it off. |
Section guide — how the tone changes through the song
Intro Riff
The intro riff is heavily driven and aggressive, requiring a sharp tone.
- the pedal: Gain → 9
What Van Halen actually used
Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in 1977, produced by Ted Templeman. Eddie Van Halen's use of the Frankenstrat, combined with the MXR Phase 90 and Echoplex, through a variac-modified Marshall amp, contributed to his signature 'brown sound'. The electric sitar overdub added a distinctive texture to the solo section.
- Eddie Van Halen's 'Frankenstrat' — main. Custom-built with a single humbucker in the bridge position.
- MXR Phase 90 — phasing effect. Used to add a swirling modulation to the guitar tone.
- Echoplex EP-3 — tape delay. Provided subtle echo effects to thicken the sound.
- Marshall Super Lead 1959 with Variac modification — main amplifier. Variac used to lower voltage, affecting headroom and compression.
- Electric sitar — solo overdub. Used to double the solo section, adding a unique timbre.
Tuning: Standard
Sources
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/squier-electric-guitars/stratocaster/classic-vibe-stratocaster-60s/0303010500.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1547905/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/contemporary-digital/mustang-lt25/2311100000.html
- https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3126493/Fender-Mustang-Lt25.html
- https://prosoundhq.com/sound-like-eddie-van-halen-amp-settings-gear-and-effects/
- https://www.vhnd.com/van-halen-i/aint-talkin-bout-love/
- https://www.guitarchalk.com/aint-talkin-bout-love-amp-settings/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain%27t_Talkin%27_%27bout_Love