Dutch Immigrant at Smithsonian

[bigredbass]

I ran across this:
 
http://www.whatitmeanstobeamerican.org/conversations/necessity-is-the-source-of-eddie-van-halens-inventions/
 
. . . . where Ed talks about his experiences as an immigrant, growing up, and his subsequent career.  So very good to see him back in good shape, and as with all amazing players, I'm always a little dumbfounded when they just stand up and do it right in front of you.  And these kinds of interviews, not done by the typical rock press, are always more interesting, no 'Dave/Sammy' questions, for once.
 
As well, insightful as certain players and their style drives the development of equipment, and the surprising results.  In our world, anyone who's held or played a 'Stanley spec' Brown Bass is always struck by how he plays a short scale bass with a broomstick-sized neck and does the things he does.  Ed's guitars and amps have matured to his style over time, driven by his unique needs.  Fascinating.
 
Joey

[David Houck]

Just watched it; thanks!  I especially liked the part where he played a bit.    But the autobiographical stuff was enjoyable.

[5a_quilt_top]

I own a first gen. EVH 5150 100 watt head and 4x12 cab - the actual Guitar Player mag. review test pieces - and I've gigged the head dozens of times, sometimes with a 2x12 cab and sometimes with the original 4x12 cab.
 
IMO, the EVH line of products - especially the amps and speaker cabs - are very durable and are the ideal tools for the working guitarist seeking to easily replicate a wide variety of heavy classic rock tones.
 
The guitars are real nice, too, however the neck profile is just too small and round for my hand so I can't use 'em.
 
EVH may be a bit eccentric, but he's a fascinating guy who knows what will work to get that sound.

[peoplechipper]

Thanks, that was cool...

[bigredbass]

I've always been struck by (relatively speaking) how bassy his tone is, VERY solid and full.  Along those lines, the 212 combos are closed back and ported.   Hmmmmm . . . . . .
 
I remember Hartley Peavey talking about how fickle some of his endorsers could be.  But . . . Ed was different.  
 
When they were finalizing the spec for the 5150 cabs when Ed was partnering with Peavey in those days, he had ideas for different joinery and kinds of plywood for the 412's.  So Peavey prototyped six different cabinets that were the same blueprint but with those differences, and Ed walked in, A/B'd all six and told them which was which, and he got all six right ! Hartley and the assembled crew were dumbstruck.
 
Eccentric, for people like that, somehow never seems to be the right word, but I've yet to get the right one, though gifted is close.
 
Joey

[terryc]

Along with Hendrix in my opinion he is the dogs bo****ks! refreshing to hear at that time.
My other hero John McLaughlin once said ' I wish I could do that tapping like Van Halen does' Now that is something coming from JMcL!!

[5a_quilt_top]

Joey - the 2x12 combos weigh a lot - probably the heaviest combo amp for guitar that I've encountered. They do sound great, though.
 
And, I heard a story about the transformers used in the EVH amps that is similar to what you wrote about the cabs. He settled on a spec early on and told the R&D team at Fender that it would be a deal breaker if they didn't use that spec.

[rustyg61]

My guitar player is an EVH freak! Everything he owns is EVH. He started with 2 100 watt 5150's & 412 cabinets, one black & one white, then went to a 50 watt 5150 with 212, & now has the 5150 combo. He also has about 20 Wolfgang guitars & assorted EVH pedals & even shoes! He has managed to get the same sound out of all of their amps, both Peavey & Fender built, so that speaks well of Eddie's commitment to consistency.

[David Houck]

Shoes?  They're designed to fit the pedals?

[cozmik_cowboy]

A true innovator at putting tape on guitars......
 
Peter

[rustyg61]

Dave, the shoes are just regular tennis shoes with the EVH stripes on them.
 
 

[rustyg61]

Dave, the shoes are just regular tennis shoes with the EVH stripes on them.
 
 

[David Houck]