Van Halen (Half step tune down)


mruniverce
Registered User
Joined: 03/24/13
Posts: 45
mruniverce
Registered User
Joined: 03/24/13
Posts: 45
06/27/2018 5:37 pm

Can you guys do a lesson on how to tune down a half step to get that Van Halen sound. And can you use a capo to get THAT SOUND?.


# 1
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
ChristopherSchlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor
Joined: 08/09/05
Posts: 8,328
06/27/2018 11:47 pm
Originally Posted by: mruniverce

Can you guys do a lesson on how to tune down a half step to get that Van Halen sound. And can you use a capo to get THAT SOUND?.

Tuning down a half-step is called "slack tuning". The DLR era Van Halen albums are largely tuned down. Can't use a capo to tune down. Only to raise the pitch.

You can tune down by tuning each string a half step lower. Low to high:

E to E-flat

A to A-flat

D to D-flat

G to G-flat

B to B-flat

E to E-flat

But EVH's tone comes mostly from his playing style & equipment. He used a Strat style guitar with a humbucker into a cranked Marshall amp. He famously used cheap MXR effects pedals & a Variac power transformer to "starve" the amp of voltage.

But the foundation of that VH tone is a humbucker into a cranked Marshall & EVHs unique playing style! :)[br][br]Dave did a whole tutorial aimed at breaking down that amazing style.

https://www.guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=2034

Hope that helps! Have fun with it!


Christopher Schlegel
Guitar Tricks Instructor

Christopher Schlegel Lesson Directory
# 2
mruniverce
Registered User
Joined: 03/24/13
Posts: 45
mruniverce
Registered User
Joined: 03/24/13
Posts: 45
07/01/2018 10:15 am

Thanks that helps..also I googled tuning down half step VIDEOS and now i know how to tune down to half step.


# 3

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