74 Marshall Superlead Van Halen I tone

99% stock Marshall SL through chinese reissue greenbacks.

I used a variac. Since I live in Europe it's down from 220V to 185V. This gives a B+ of 460V.

Also used an EVH flanger, EP-pre, phase 90 and a danelectro reel echo.

The clip is meant to illustrate the tone, not the playing. Still have learn more VH riffs ;-))

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Van Halen
• Metro amp
• metroamp
• VHI
• Frankenstrat
• Variac
• phase 90
• EVH flanger
• ep-pre
• greenback
• celestion
• marshall
• superlead
• super lead
• 74
• 1974

[six4cal]

@staalhoofd bringing down the B+ with a variac will actually reduce volume and gain because it reduces the total voltage hitting your power supply's primary. it DOES increase the perceived gain (distortion) though, because it lowers the threshold that the tubes will begin clipping. i noticed this when using a variac on some of my tweed builds, really a cool effect. makes the tubes last longer too!

great tone!

[staalhoofd]

@six4cal Thanks for the info. When talking dB's, it does make sense. Usually when we talk gain, we really mean to say 'distorortion'. As far as dB's go, this amp is so extremely loud (rediculously loud) that I haven't even been able to dime it without an attenuator so I really didn't notice much of a difference.

[jelledegitaarman]

how loud is it when using the variac?

[staalhoofd]

@jelledegitaarman The variac has no effect on volume at all. It just brings down the B+ in the amp resulting in a looser feel and a little more gain. To bring down the volume I use a Marshall powerbrake. The amp is insanely loud without the powerbrake.

[adam10603]

I would suggest to upgrade those chinese greenbacks. I've had some chinese ones (2006) in my cab, then I upgraded them to made in UK ones (2001). Still the standard greenback, no heritage series or anything like that (they are made in china since 2002, so the 2001 ones are UK-made)

Well, I have to tell you that there was a HUGE difference. The chinese ones were very very harsh and farting (in the bad way, not in the EVH way). The UK-ones are nice and smooth :)

[staalhoofd]

@adam10603 Thanks man. You are correct. Many people have told me this. Still have to score some though. Although I did score a 4X12 with 1968 pre-rola G12H30's in mint condition. Got it for free when I bought a 1973 50W Marshall from a guy!! I might post a clip with those. 

[jktarheel]

pretty damn close man. I wish i was there and could here it cranked.

[tatsandteles]

Really nice job. You've got a nice touch. 

[jhs5150]

Close. I like it.

[adam10603]

@adam10603

Of course the pre-rola ones are the real deal here. But the pre-chinese era, but still realtively new ones (around 2000) are definately better than chinese ones. And they are about the same price used