How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

[GilmourD]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

EVH used a metal panel JMP not a Plexi. The various speculation and weird interview snippets where people attributed most of his sound to the use of a Variac are false. Eddie "claimed" he used a Variac because the amp was just too loud for the smaller clubs they played in the beginning. You can see guys like JD Simo using a Variac to get just the right voltage line level that allows his NOS tubes to retain longer lives. This is the proper use of a Variac on a Marshall head... I see no reason to believe that Eddie used it in any other way.

Everything I've ever read and seen as far as pictures shows that he used a 1968 plexi 1959 head with a 12xxx series serial number. He ran Sylvania 6CA7 tubes in the power section, which gave him the solid lows of a 6L6GC but the mids and highs of an EL34. There were a couple oddities with the amp, like a 2700 ohm cathode resistor on the second section of V1 instead if the 820 that was standard at the time. This bumped up the gain a bit. Also this seems to have been changed to standard at a later time, along with swapping out the output transformer.

There were a few other things that have been documented at different times.

This is all as per Dave Friedman, John Suhr, and Steve Fryette.

He did indeed use JMPs, JCM800s, and even Laneys out on the road.

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[Zombiwoof]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

I think that it's pretty well known that he used the variac to get amp breakup at lower levels than having the amp dimed at full volume. That means lowering the voltage with the variac, I've heard that the sweet spot is somewhere around 80-90 volts. He wasn't using it to get the "perfect voltage" for the tubes, it was a way to get cranked-Marshall sound at reasonable levels. It actually stresses the tubes as much as running the amp full out, as that is what he was doing really. The Marshall was pretty much stock, save the use of the 6CA7 tubes, and possibly a component tweak or two. I met the guy who did the work on his amp in the early days, an older Mexican gentleman whose name escapes me at the moment (I'm sure someone remembers), he had a small shop in Van Nuys and I met him because a good friend of mine had known him since he was a kid. I remember him as friendly and funny, and found out that he used to work for Ampeg in the old days, and designed some of the Ampeg stuff. When I went to meet him, I didn't even realize that he was the one who did Eddie's amp work. This was a couple of year before he died (I am really embarrassed to not remember his name, must be a senior moment, I'm thinking it was something like Jorge(?) or such).

Anyway, there was an article in a guitar mag a few years ago about that amp, he had retired it at some stage because it was basically worn from so much use, and had been sitting in storage for a few years. He decided to get it working again, and had it restored to it's original glory. That's what started his having those Signature amps being made for him, as the old Marshall was in bad shape, and he needed something for the road that would give him the sound he wanted, but not need as much maintenance as the old Marshall. He claimed he never could find another Marshall that sounded like that particular one.

If anyone can remember the name of that amp tech, please remind me. When I heard he had died, it brought back memories of going to his little shop years ago with my friend and hanging out with him, it was a pleasant afternoon.

Al

 

[dystrust]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

I think that it's pretty well known that he used the variac to get amp breakup at lower levels than having the amp dimed at full volume. That means lowering the voltage with the variac, I've heard that the sweet spot is somewhere around 80-90 volts. He wasn't using it to get the "perfect voltage" for the tubes, it was a way to get cranked-Marshall sound at reasonable levels. It actually stresses the tubes as much as running the amp full out, as that is what he was doing really. The Marshall was pretty much stock, save the use of the 6CA7 tubes, and possibly a component tweak or two. I met the guy who did the work on his amp in the early days, an older Mexican gentleman whose name escapes me at the moment (I'm sure someone remembers), he had a small shop in Van Nuys and I met him because a good friend of mine had known him since he was a kid. I remember him as friendly and funny, and found out that he used to work for Ampeg in the old days, and designed some of the Ampeg stuff. When I went to meet him, I didn't even realize that he was the one who did Eddie's amp work. This was a couple of year before he died (I am really embarrassed to not remember his name, must be a senior moment, I'm thinking it was something like Jorge(?) or such).

Anyway, there was an article in a guitar mag a few years ago about that amp, he had retired it at some stage because it was basically worn from so much use, and had been sitting in storage for a few years. He decided to get it working again, and had it restored to it's original glory. That's what started his having those Signature amps being made for him, as the old Marshall was in bad shape, and he needed something for the road that would give him the sound he wanted, but not need as much maintenance as the old Marshall. He claimed he never could find another Marshall that sounded like that particular one.

If anyone can remember the name of that amp tech, please remind me. When I heard he had died, it brought back memories of going to his little shop years ago with my friend and hanging out with him, it was a pleasant afternoon.

Al

Jose Arredondo maybe? There is a bit of debate regarding exactly how credible those claims are since EVH supposedly dropped his friend's name in order to drum up some business for him. Regarding variac usage EVH may not have set his at 92V (though Randy Rhoads did), but I found the interview zenmindedbeginner was referring to and Eddie said that he set the variac by ear to get his sound at a more managable volume. The only way to achieve that volume-lowering effect would be to lower the voltage.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

Jose Arredondo maybe? There is a bit of debate regarding exactly how credible those claims are since EVH supposedly dropped his friend's name in order to drum up some business for him. Regarding variac usage EVH may not have set his at 92V (though Randy Rhoads did), but I found the interview zenmindedbeginner was referring to and Eddie said that he set the variac by ear to get his sound at a more managable volume. The only way to achieve that volume-lowering effect would be to lower the voltage.

Lowering B+ voltage (that which is applied to the tubes' plates) also lowers their potential to amplify AND lowers the maximum clean headroom in relation to its maximum amplification, essentially making it much dirtier at all points in volume and definitely dirtier at full tilt.

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[zenmindbeginner]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

Everything I've ever read and seen as far as pictures shows that he used a 1968 plexi 1959 head with a 12xxx series serial number. He ran Sylvania 6CA7 tubes in the power section, which gave him the solid lows of a 6L6GC but the mids and highs of an EL34. There were a couple oddities with the amp, like a 2700 ohm cathode resistor on the second section of V1 instead if the 820 that was standard at the time. This bumped up the gain a bit. Also this seems to have been changed to standard at a later time, along with swapping out the output transformer.

I blame the bath salts.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

I blame the bath salts.

ROFL

Thanks for making me laugh while working a long day on a Saturday. LOL

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[zzmoore]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

As much as (maybe more than) the B+...a Variac also steps down hard on the heater volatge. So the tubes are starving for electrons. Not really the best way to treat a 1968 plexi IMO...but who am I compared to EVH.
Mike Soldano has had hid hands in "That Amp".....see what he has to say starting at about 7:00
best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBIcicqIfCM

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

well, not many peple are actually talking about how the brown sound got its name directly, but the conversation has morphed into how EVH's tone in general.
The amp ( and variac), of course is a huge part of the Brown sound, however the Evenly Voiced Harmonics pickup is essential, and as is a Superstrat body of Hard Ash.
Then, and this is a huge part which is no longer attainable, is the old G12M- 20 watt Celestions Edward Van Halen used ( in vintage basketweave Marshall cabinets) for VH-1. Those speakers practically cannot be found in good working condition any longer, and they cannot be replicated. Celestion did a reissue, but form all accounts its pretty weak.
Then you had Eddie using a cross of those G12m-20 watt speakers and the other "grail" of guitar speakers; Altec 418h's.
Your best bet for a speaker that will do Brown sound these days is the G12-65, which I have heard was designed around the semi clean and articulate /half dirty Brown sound of VH-1. The reissues seem to be pretty well regarded.

 

[aleclee]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

This isn't the only "brown" reference in the case of Van Halen, there was also the famous (reported) clause in the rider of their contracts that called for "bowls of M'n'M's, with all of the brown ones removed".

It's been confirmed by DLR. He said that they did as a quick way to see if promoters were reading/complying with the other riders. If there were brown M&Ms in the green room, they knew to double check the other riders that were more crucial to their show.

Pretty shrewd if you ask me.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

Gee wizz...lots of people talkin' , few of them know.

Brown sound ='ed Alex's snare sound which went "tonk" not "shintz-blam" or something similar which equaled "girl friendly" Eddie decided to aim for a similar "girl friendly" tone from his "guit-fiddle".

It was ALL about the girls...half of the audience. THE IMPORTANT half of the audience. You know, the ones who would "do you favors" after the show.

:smack:

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

2 burritos and a root beer float will make a brown sound.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

Jose Arredondo maybe? There is a bit of debate regarding exactly how credible those claims are since EVH supposedly dropped his friend's name in order to drum up some business for him. Regarding variac usage EVH may not have set his at 92V (though Randy Rhoads did), but I found the interview zenmindedbeginner was referring to and Eddie said that he set the variac by ear to get his sound at a more managable volume. The only way to achieve that volume-lowering effect would be to lower the voltage.

Yup, it was Jose!. Great guy, was sad to hear he had died some years back.
Thanks,
Al

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

Jose Arredondo maybe? There is a bit of debate regarding exactly how credible those claims are since EVH supposedly dropped his friend's name in order to drum up some business for him. Regarding variac usage EVH may not have set his at 92V (though Randy Rhoads did), but I found the interview zenmindedbeginner was referring to and Eddie said that he set the variac by ear to get his sound at a more managable volume. The only way to achieve that volume-lowering effect would be to lower the voltage.

If you're referring to the claims about the amp being pretty much stock, that was the observation of the guy that refurbished it some years ago, it was covered in a guitar magazine article. He expected to see extensive mods, but was surprised to see that it was basically a stock Marshall.

From what I have read, another part of the recorded sound was that he played straight into the amp, the amp was mic'd and the effects were added to the signal coming off of the cranked amp (not into the amp). This obviously would also make an impact on the sounds that had effects on them.

Al

 

[GilmourD]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

From what I have read, another part of the recorded sound was that he played straight into the amp, the amp was mic'd and the effects were added to the signal coming off of the cranked amp (not into the amp). This obviously would also make an impact on the sounds that had effects on them.

Al

Not too sure about that. There's plenty of pictures of Ed in the studio with the head somewhere odd, like on the floor, and he's got pedals hooked up to it, including the Echoplex in the bombshell with which he goosed the input of the Marshall.



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[koshikas]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

now i remember reading sometime back, that the marshall head was hooked up with a dummy load a line level signal being taken off it and fed into 'phase 90' into a separate power amp or somethin like that. got hold of it;

http://www.legendarytones.com/brownsound.html

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

now i remember reading sometime back, that the marshall head was hooked up with a dummy load a line level signal being taken off it and fed into 'phase 90' into a separate power amp or somethin like that. got hold of it;

http://www.legendarytones.com/brownsound.html

View attachment 53785

Yeah, I think that's what I was referring to. I'm not sure about the diagram, all I read that the effects were after the output of the full-blast amp, not in front of it, so they would not denigrate the true amp sound. I don't know if the diagram shows that, trying to figure out what I see there.
Al

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

The term came from the brown back Les Pauls he and Terry Kilgore were playing back in the day. Tube Tramp gave the scoop many years ago on the old Plexi P forums.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

:laugh2:



I completely agree. Never liked his early sound.

Hmmm...

So that I may understand where you're coming from, please list a few examples of players whose tone you do like.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

Speaking of variacs, here's my mutt modded JTM45 on a variac @ 100v doing the brown sound:

RWTD
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12778842

E (pardon the dust)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12778866

YRGM
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12778880

FYLT
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=12778900

For the record, I've had this config for about a year now with zero issues.

Also, the variac is a key component to Ed's early tone... you will not get it without it. It adds this
wonderful grind to the tone.

KILLER tones there man! And playing is great too.

:headbang:

 

[Red_Label]

Re: How did EVH's "Brown Sound" get its name?

There is a bit of debate regarding exactly how credible those claims are since EVH supposedly dropped his friend's name in order to drum up some business for him.

I remember in magazine articles back in the 80s, that Eddie was claiming that he didn't use any FX. Got all of the tone from his fingers. Yeah... cause phasing, flanging, delay, and reverb are something that can be coaxed out of a guitar by a different touch. :laugh2: