EVH Harmonics

[jmh151]

For anyone that doesn't know, David Lee Roth took over for Howard Stern in NY. For the most part his show sucks, but today he decided to have a segment discussing guitarists tone, mainly Brian May, and how he got a tone similar to EVH long before EVH came along. Roth said that in the beginning EVH used coins as guitar picks and later switched to metal guitar picks, which he's used since. He also added that Billy Gibbons uses pesos (which we all knew), and is how Brian May, EVH, and Gibbons are able to get that raunchy tone.

Of course there are many other variable, but for once it's good to hear information from someone who was actually once in the band

 

[real59er]

Re: EVH Harmonics

Interesting, but I've seen VH live and up close many times, and those were def plastic picks. I dunno, something doesn't sound right there imo.

 

[ErikH]

Re: EVH Harmonics

Maybe in the early days he did use metal picks but like real59er, every time I've seen him live they've been plastic. Even on the "Live Without a Net" video from 1986 they're plastic.

Wish I would have listened to him this morning. I actually like Dave's radio show. He's no dummy that's for sure.

 

[jmh151]

Re: EVH Harmonics

Dave was comparing early Queen to early Van Halen. He said he couldn't beleive Brian May was getting a very EVH like tone out of the same Vox amps that the Beatles used, except Brian May cranked them up and used metal picks. He also said EVH and Brian May had a technique of strumming a chord then slapping the string with their right hand, which produced the huge overtones you hear like on DOA.

These early Queen tracks didn't sound like Brian May's tone at all, they sounded like EVH. He blamed Brian May's later signature tone on Freddie Mercury's attempts to soften the music, making it more flowery and musical rather than rock and roll.

Again, interesting piece to hear on national radio rather than a guitar magazine

 

[ErikH]

Re: EVH Harmonics

Most definitely. Man, now I really wish I would have listened to him this morning but no, my daughter wanted to listen to Bon Jovi on the way to her daycare/school (she's 2 and loves Bon Jovi) and then to keep my Tele G.A.S. alive I decided to listen to Brad Paisley.

 

[jmh151]

Re: EVH Harmonics

He said he's going to start a regular spot on his program, maybe weekly, like a musician's corner, where he brings someone in and they analyze classic bands, records, each show picking a new band. So you might want to tune in next Tuesday. Dave really knew his stuff. Basically they went through early Queen, which was alot better than the greatest hits we're used to hearing.

It's the first good bit I heard by Dave.

 

[jmh151]

Re: EVH Harmonics

It would be VERY interesting if Dave came back and revealed all the gear and tricks he saw EVH use on those legendary albums like VH1. I'll bet this is where it's leading.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: EVH Harmonics

Considering Eddie uses anything and everything, and loved to keep his "trade secrets" - I am amazed at how we (incl me) as players obsess over every thing he "might" have done. Let no rumour go without merit, lol.

I like playing with the good old American Quarter, esp when too many drinks preclude me from finding an actual pick. I think they do sound bite-y, raunchy, and wicked!

(If I tell you he pissed on his hands before every show to get a sweeter tone, will we all start doing that, too?)

hehehe