Van Halen Unchained - '68 Spec (12xxx Series) Metro Plexi

[jelledegitaarman]

great tone where you using the variac?

[LightGuitarsEdge]

Change. nothing' stays the same. Unchained. ya hit the ground running'

Come on Dave ..gimme a break.

Very nice.

[stereomann83]

can u play an't talkin bout love

[WorldsJungleGym]

Awesome job. And great tone.

[Sjrick]

How'd ya like to be their neighbors,lol

[stereomann83]

@Sjrick i would

[IVsakeN]

He'll yeah dude

[stereomann83]

can you do some more van halen?

[stereomann83]

this is great one of the best covers i have heard all you need now is a singer

[jctaudiodesigns]

Sounds Great! What was the pick up in the guitar?

[Michshnly]

Great sound..I love just hanging out jamming on a rainy day with friends..Sooo cool

[budw59]

Thanks for the info. Knowing that the 10000 series has more gain than in the clip is great to know. These are the kinds of things you can't find out without actually playing one. I just found out about these amps a couple of weeks ago and I'm on a mission to get one in the studio. I appreciate all of your information.

[gutpile1973]

I've built and own them all!!! Really hard to pick a favorite! I just built a 10xxx series that sounds killer! I'll gig with that next time out!! I usually take a different amp to play with depending on the mood! Kind of like trying to pick a favorite child! The 12xxx is a one trick pony that does what it should very well, but I prefer the flexibilty of the 10xxx, fender cleans and Marshall gain!!! Keep in mind that have a drink on me was done on about 6 or 7... Plenty of gain to go!!!

[budw59]

I found it on youtube. Looks like the malcolm part was done on a 10000 series. The jtm 45 combo is Angus all the way. My choice for my first metro will be between the 10000 and 12000 series. I've read that the 12000 series has more gain distortion than the 10000 series. I don't like using OD pedals, so I might need to go with the 12000. Anyway, thanks for the clips. Absolutely beautiful Tone!! Good quality to promote the Metro's.

[budw59]

Which amp is your favorite from George at Metro Amps. I've been listening to all of them. They all sound so good. I'm definitely going to have him build me one pretty soon. I couldn't find you guys doing it on the Metro site. Very hard to choose from the website clips. The 10,000 series is my favorite on the metro website, but I love the sound of your 12000 series.

Thanks

[gutpile1973]

Have a drink on me was done with a 45/100 or 10xxx series... I'd need to ask George and check my notes! There is a video of us doing that track on George's YouTube site (metroampcom)... Thanks for watching!!!

[budw59]

On your soundclick sight, which Metro amp is doing the Have a drink on me cover?

[dsl100stack]

hey is this a metro kit, or is this the Metropoulos Replica? sounds awesome

[hickrystyk]

Really spot on, but when the drums come in, Alex uses the ride cymbal until the vocals come in, then on to the hi-hat........

[doktorlindblood]

NAISSSSS ONE!!! good job ladies!

[boagley1]

SWEEEEEEET! Used to record the same way! Headphones,low volumes, and good mics in my basement! You ALWAYS get a clean tone that way!

NICE work, and SO SWEET on the "Brown Sound"!

[808Monkseal]

OH man!! The tone is spot on! Takes me back to high school! I had so much fun those days!!!

[nchopper96]

Nice job guys, and the amp sounds great...

[flmason]

Sounds good, so what's the micing and post processing chain look like?

I mean, the usual result of micing a Marshall type amp is quite a but of fizz. And of course they don't have reverb and delay.

Would really appreciate knowing how the fizz was dealt with.

The clips on Soundclick seem to show the same professional post processing polish. :-)

[gutpile1973]

@flmason Thanks for listening! recorded 100% dry, no effects, straight into the amp using a cascade fathead mic. Slight reverb added post recording... Really straightforward setup! What you hear is what you get!!!

[flmason]

@gutpile1973 - So why is all the fizz most folks get on a mic'ed amp, well, not there?

Is the the amp, or the recording process...

There's dozens of Marshall amp recordings in youtube, and most have some fizz.

My own experience has been the same, mic'ed amps generally sound like a PODxt, LOL!

Even my JCM 800 2204 circa 1984-ish. One of the white tolex 20th anniversary models, but USA distribution 6550's. Serial Number 522 I think, in the anniverary series.

So what's different here?

[cyril185]

@flmason his fingers are different.

[tatsandteles]

Why don't stock Marshall reissues sound anything like this??? Hmmm.....

[joeyfingers]

That sounded great! I had George Metropoulas build me one after I heard his replica of the 68 plexi at an amp show in piscataway NJ. He also put in a master volume & an effects loop and the tone is still perfect! That guy is a genius at replicating one of the best amps ever made!

[gutpile1973]

@joeyfingers George has GREAT amps!!! I have one of each!!! Vintage Marshall tone at a fraction of the cost!!!

[theShowStopper321]

@gutpile1973 2700 isnt really fraction of the cost. What FX are u using? Does this have an FX loop?

[theShowStopper321]

@gutpile1973 2700 isnt really a fraction of the cost. Does this have an FX loop and what FX were u using?

[GIORGIO1995]

NICE COVER!

[majick59]

Sounds great!! What kind of attenuator were you using?

[gutpile1973]

@majick59 ... Thanks! We used a THD Hotplate @ -8db (I think!) Thanks for listening!!

[hickrystyk]

SUPERB JOB GUYS

[Soldano88]

Very cool guys!Well done! Nice tones too: )

[Desert9999]

Wow wow and wow again, hardly see a serious band like this!

Congratulation Sirs! Easy and stylish still rockin'..I like it!

[guitarshredda2]

such a badass riff

awesome cover!!

[THESGROCKS]

wow this is the best cover i have ever saw!!!!!!!!!

[jks2]

from what year is that les paul std?

[gutpile1973]

I think it was an '02... Just couldn't get it to feel right for me so I sold it and got a '78 Custom... couldn't be happier!

[jks2]

@gutpile1973 ok then you made a good choice! vintage LP Custom's are way better :)

[bmwm3cs]

Sounds great I wish I could get away with this in my living room.

[diimitar]

This is the real Van Halen tone :) Awesome

[imasspeons]

Great cover!

What reverb and phaser/flanger units were you using? Or was it added in post production?

[gutpile1973]

added post production... I think the only thing added was reverb? I'd have to ask George to be sure as he did the mix! thanks for listening!

[BlackBrick77]

Amazing tone. Thank you.

[goerge4]

fun to watch and hear.. i enjoy these videos..that's what youtube shoud be for.. fun factor 10!!

[kingjoemom]

Do you have to have an attenuator?

[gutpile1973]

In a small enclosed environment like we were playing in, 100w with no attenuation could wake the dead! Most of the bars we play at require attenuation of some sort if I use a 100w amp...

[kingjoemom]

@gutpile1973 Besides volume differences, can you feel much of a difference between the level you were playing at, and what it feels like without an attuenator

[nutrientcobra]

I just bought the same 12000 series Plexi from you George and am waiting for Fed Ex to deliver it within a couple hours. Can't wait to try it out! I will let you know. Thanks Shane

[UngarnSternberg]

Superb rendition, you guys rock! Congrats to the team! :-)

Franz

[RedRoo13]

This tone is awesome! Great cover guys!!!

[BluesRocker52]

You guys make me proud!

(Metro JTM45 owner)

[ruffles272]

great! but needs to be turned up more to get that little extra bit of kick.

[notjoelaporta]

Awesome tone!!!!

[JasonElGato]

Wow! Amazing tone and super accurate Unchained cover! There's a lotta good Unchaineds out there and this one is one of the best.

[mesamark3]

One of the best EVH tones I have ever heard....

[davesanfran]

Awesome! Is this one of the metroamp kits or the Metropoulos line?

[gutpile1973]

Thanks for listening! This is one of George's builds. in fact, it is his personal amp! the same amp you will get if you have him build one through his plexireplicas site!

[davesanfran]

Thanks gutpile!

[Hankandthetanktops]

this is very nice!

good job.

[Juaniguitarra86]

Nice

[CrimelabSweden]

Hey what happened to the guitar solo ? ;)

[SRwingz]

Can't do both at once! They ran out of time to record it over I believe.

[triadrc]

Killer...One Break coming up..

[zbaby82]

Very nice tone!

[dsdjb]

That is killer Metro tone!! What speakers were in the cabinet?

[gutpile1973]

Thanks for listening... Heritage Celestion G12M 20w

[BluesRocker52]

Dang, Fido...you rock on those drums! All you guys did great. Pro all the way.

Could the tone get any better? Nope!

[mrcali68]

Question, did you use an attenuator or is that amp dimmed right there in that room?

[gutpile1973]

amp is dimed but run through a hotplate at -4db. The amp is in the room but the cab is in a nearby bedroom to reduce the amount of bleedthru in the recording... Thanks for listening!

[mrcali68]

Absolutely KILLER!!! DAMMIT this video is gonna cost me  bunch of money!!!

[magicaldog]

Is it a Metro kit or a Replica 12xxx ???

Sounds absolutely MONDO!

[lidesnowi]

What pickup do you use ? is it a SD 59 ?

Awesome sounding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Metro amps RULES

[gutpile1973]

Thanks for listening! I can't remember if I had Throbaks in @ the time we made this clip? May have been WCR's? I have throbaks in now and don't plan on changing anytime soon!

[666patrickbateman666]

And the amp is Stock 12000 Series ?

With the Standby Switch in the down position ???

[gutpile1973]

yeah, the same as any other Marshall/Metro??? the same as the power switch! Up is off, Down is on....

[Kramer10205269]

What model throbaks? I've been looking into them and everybody seems to love them.

[gutpile1973]

I have SLE101 Ltds in my LP Custom and DT102's in my SG... I prefer the SLE's over the DT's but the DT's are still better than anything else I have tried... (WCR, Fralin, '57 Classic, Skatterbrane, Antiquities, etc...) since the definition of good tone is different for everyone, your ears may have a different opinion....

[666patrickbateman666]

Awesome guitartone!

[nub113]

I was giving you mad props with my students today and I just had to see this clip again. You're becoming a legend with them just as much as Matt is; they constantly ask which one is Wookie and where is Mr. W in that Rebound Band picture I have behind my desk. Miss jamming with you, bro.

---Nub---

[msuman91]

people say its all in the fingers i say its all in the picking and palm attack....

[xntrickk]

very nice!!

[starlight771]

Rock And Roll !!!!

[qtcustom1]

Hell yeah.

[bscfo1]

Wow - that was great! How did you make that sound so good in a living room? Especially with acoustic drums? My drummer makes us all deaf - he would have been sent to another room! LOL!

[Godpleaser77]

As a Christian, I don't spend too much time with secular music. But of course VH was a powerful band! I give you props on your unchained version of this song. Very Nice!

[Kitarist88]

Also what kind of effects did you use here

Thanks!!!

[gutpile1973]

no effects, straight in. There was some reverb added after recording. Thanks for listening!

[FREAK9364]

What? How'd you get the sound then? Just Amp adjustments? Could you list them please? This sound is incredible! Thanks

[Hereistone]

I just built a '68 Spec Super100 and its all OD! Dimed, and plugged straight in. Also, no hum or buzz at all, which was a surprise.

[gutpile1973]

all amp! turn the volume all the way to the right and let it rip!!

[Kitarist88]

Heritage Celestion G12M sound ok but did you ever try Heritage G12H30 they sound horrible not sure what were they think when they were doing them.

Anyway great cover!!!

[Hereistone]

I have two G12H30 in a cab with salt&pepper cloth, and they sound great. I think you need a thick cloth to tame the highs a bit. It's a closed back cab too, and the bass is great.

[Kitarist88]

What kind of G12H30s Heritages? Did you use them in this vid?

[Hereistone]

In this clip he's using 20 watt G12M. The gold label anniversary ones are what I use. I've heard they sound the same as the more expensive RI greenback G12H30's.

[msuman91]

i got a fender with celestion G12 100s i when i first got it i thought man this sucks but ive tried alotof cabs and its bad as heck!!!

[zzmoore]

Well done, all the way around, I'm impressed. But I have to say, as a drummer.... I hope you pay that guy well.

Good job everybody!!!

[apwittlich]

Almost through building my 50 watt kit from Metro. Probably just a few hours to go. If it turns out sounding this good I think I may have to just quit my job and become a rockstar. Nice vid guys!

[lotagu]

Fido its Lou here from Toronto...Dude you totally Kick serious Ass...Nice job Brother

[dirtymikerocks]

Nice job.

[CHASENTONE]

Holy SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSSH!!!!! FANTASTIC-I HAVE TO GO WIPE MYSELF NOW!

[mcafeeda]

Your drummer and bass player kicks ass-nice job. Tight rhythm section.

[Kramer10205269]

What kind of speakers/cab were you using with this?

[gutpile1973]

Metro "B" cab loaded with Heritage Celestion G12M's (20w)

[dcdossett65]

sounds absolutley amazing!Is this 100w?

[gutpile1973]

yes. this is the '68 spec 12xxxx series Metro... It is an exact replica of '68 Marshall 100w. Thanks for listening!

[Simto]

Are you sure your name isn't Eddie? Because you sound just like him.

[AirVengeance318]

WOW! you guys sounded real tight and dead on with the sound. 5 stars all the way.

[Castel1986]

I would love to live in a house like that!

[MattE5150VH]

I need that amp..Sounds great! Great playing too!

[rpgfire]

you guys sound real good man!.....

[StrykerTStrykerton]

nice modulation of his tone

[fender51503]

Very thick sound from the plexi!! You guys sound great!

[rawel34]

Yeah ! I enjoyed myself !

[acdc126]

this is so perfect!!!!!

[sentryofdoom]

Man...that sounds awesome!!!

[lotagu]

Fido Killer Drums Bro!!!!!

Lou in Toronto

[dtdionne]

Thats the closest ive heard to the brownsound...nice work. I dont know how evh got such great tone with his attenuator.

[tdigiano]

Missing the flanger otherwise fantastic

[daneswede1]

AND THAT MY FRIENDS IS A METROAMP 12000 series 1968 replica ! you want find a Marshall H.W. sound 10% of that !

[BBNYPD]

Hey great job man! How did you record this? did you run the mics through a mixer and into a computer?

[PlexiDemo]

Nice Faaat tone! Great mix and nice cover of the overdubs during the solo.

[jogabonitoboi]

Can you write out the the different settings you have on the amp? What it completely dimed?

[gutpile1973]

It is based off a '68 spec Marshall so it has all of the same tone controls... treble, middle, bass, presence, vol I, vol II, 4 input... if I recall the amp was on about 9.... thanks for listening!

[donkeegan1107]

Go blue! Love the hat!! Kick ass on the axe too.

[bebopchess]

gutpile, this is an awesome clip. enjoyed the tone of this, and the groove of the band. Good job, and mad respect. Is this the 50watt or 100watt?

[gutpile1973]

Thanks bebopchess!  it is the Metro 12xxxx series '68 spec 100w based on the Marshall 12xxxx series '68 spec 100w.. thanks for listening!

[vbak]

Where is Have a drink on me? you recorded that too, right?

[gutpile1973]

Yes we did, but no video... the link to that soundclip as well as others are in the description details above... thanks for listening!

[davesanfran]

Great tone gutpile! Do you have the amp dimed into the hotplate? Does the amp sound good at lower volumes without the hotplate? Thanks

[gutpile1973]

Thanks! the amp was dimed and the attenuator @ -4db... With any attenuation you lose some tone the more you attenuate, but you can play at pretty low volumes and it still sounds great! I definitely prefer an attenuator vs. a master volume mod. Thanks for listening!

[leehr777]

Very Very light gain.

[Emergencynurse01]

Hi, did you build the metro? I have a 2203 I am thinking buying their board to replace the cracked one in my amp. This sounds incredible, The 2203 is the master volume. Were you using a hot plate?

[gutpile1973]

I helped a friend put a board in his 1987 reissue and it was a huge improvement. We were using a hotplate on -4db. This particular '68 was built by George. I have built the JTM45, JTM45/100, 50w, and '69 spec 100w and they all sound fantastic... Thanks for listening!

[RoundLaker1]

How did you get reverb into the guitar signal?

[gutpile1973]

put in post recording during the mixdown...

[shooooota]

Sweet! a flanger in there and i wouldn't be able to tell a difference from the original

[kovarikanyar]

HI,

Grat for the great tone!

What kind of effect did you use? Was it between the guitar and the amp?

[gutpile1973]

that is straight into the amp, no effects... signal chain = guitar - cord - amp... Thanks for listening

[edguyrocks]

Did you have the cab in another room? Wonder what the tone would be like through a Kramer Baretta?

[gutpile1973]

yes the cab was in the bedroom so the drums wouldn't bleed through guitar and vice versa. I have an old striker lying around that is pretty much a parts guitar... One of these days I'll get it up and running again!

[leehr777]

You must be a riff player and no lead right????

[gutpile1973]

I can't do both @ once!! I posted this to show the amps' tone, and we ran out of time to do lay down overdubs! We recorded 4 tunes in total that day and only had time to do overdubbing on one...

[YoBroMan]

Fabulous tone!

[Craigman65]

Now that was a killer Fair Warning tone! Not so much distorton you don't hear wtf is goin on, but just a good Marshall shining thru.

[gutpile1973]

Thanks! Metroamps are killer! My favorite is the JTM45/100... Thanks for listening!

[adamp2]

Sick tone

[gutpile1973]

Speakers are Heritage Celestion G12M 20w'ers... GREAT SPEAKERS!  I have them in all of my cabs... Here is a link to more Metro clips... Thanks for listening!

soundclick(dot)com/bands/defau­lt.cfm?bandid=792587&content=m­usic

[dickey335]

Wow, that sounds great. I'm curious what speakers are in the cabinet?

[druckpig]

Hi, thats a great sound.. I notice a hotplate attenuator on top of the head, how much did you attenuate for this

[gutpile1973]

I think we had it on -4db. We had the speaker cab in the bedroom behind the bassist to avoid the guitar bleeding through the drum mics! thanks for listening

[guitarocker97]

the guy in tthe michigan hat is my uncle

[bluesdoc333]

The drummer on this clip is awesome, totally in the groove.

[guitarocker97]

that is pretty awesome uncle mike

[rbehm]

got the head but in white!

killer sound.....but what mic do you use?

[gutpile1973]

we mic'd it with two mics... one was mine (Cascade Fathead Ribbon) and the other was George's and I can't remember what that one was... I'll find out and post it...

[gutpile1973]

Thanks for the kind words!! I have 4 Metro's and they all sound Killer!! (JTM45, 50w plexi, 100w plexi '69 spec and a JTM45/100)

[rbehm]

thats awesome!!!!!

it's worth it is'nt it!?

[rbehm]

thanx

[rbehm]

i think it might be a royer 122 mic from goerge......

was it silver?

[rbehm]

got the sound head but in white!

sounds killer!

[lespaul10]

that kicks major a**!!

[skydog46]

That sounds gggreat!!! Seriously...the drums sound killer too!!!

[MagnumOpus007]

Great tone man!

[nub113]

Not bad for a Pollock in a U of M hat ;)

Seriously though, nice job fellas!

One break... coming up.