Introduction
Have you ever listened to Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption" and wondered, "How on Earth can I sound like that?" You're not alone!
Eddie's tone is the stuff of legend, but believe it or not, with your Spark amp and some specific settings, you can get pretty darn close. Buckle up, because we're about to dive into the world of legendary guitar tones.
Rhythm Guitar Settings:
To start, you'll want to configure your Spark amp to mimic a "British Plexi" amp simulation. Here are the magical settings you need:
- Amp Simulation: British Plexi
- Gain: 8
- Bass: 5
- Middle: 4
- Treble: 7
- Volume: 8
- Noise Gate: Keep it on to reduce any unwanted noise.
- Compressor: Use the "LA Comp" with the following settings:
- Gain: 5
- Peak Reduction: 4
- Drive: Use the "Over Drive" with these settings:
- Drive: 7
- Tone: 6
- Level: 5
- Modulation/EQ: Use a Phaser effect (similar to MXR Phase 90):
- Delay: Use the "Tape Echo":
- Level: 3
- Feedback: 4
- D Time: 300ms
- Tone: 5
- Reverb: Set the "Hall Medium":
- Level: 5
- Damping: 6
- Low Cut: 80Hz
- High Cut: 10kHz
- Time: 2.5s
- Dwell: 5
Solo Guitar Settings:
Now, for the piece de resistance: the solo tone. It's similar to the rhythm settings but with a few tweaks to make those solos sizzle.
- Amp Simulation: British Plexi
- Gain: 9
- Bass: 6
- Middle: 5
- Treble: 8
- Volume: 8
- Noise Gate: Keep it on to reduce any unwanted noise.
- Compressor: Use the "LA Comp" with the following settings:
- Gain: 6
- Peak Reduction: 5
- Drive: Use the "Over Drive" with these settings:
- Drive: 8
- Tone: 7
- Level: 6
- Modulation/EQ: Use a Phaser effect (similar to MXR Phase 90):
- Delay: Use the "Tape Echo":
- Level: 4
- Feedback: 5
- D Time: 400ms
- Tone: 6
- Reverb: Set the "Hall Medium":
- Level: 6
- Damping: 7
- Low Cut: 80Hz
- High Cut: 10kHz
- Time: 3s
- Dwell: 6
Creating and Saving the Tone:
Alright, you've got the settings, now let's get them dialed in:
- Open the Spark app and connect to the Spark amp.
- Double-tap on the amp icon.
- Scroll to and select the desired amp head.
- Double-tap on the Modulation pedal and select the desired effect.
- Repeat for the compressor, drive, delay, and reverb.
- Save the preset under a new name so you can easily access this tone again in the future.
Rock Out Like Van Halen:
You've got your settings, now it's time to shred! But before you dive in, why not get some inspiration by watching Eddie himself? Check out this incredible Eruption (2015 Remaster) - YouTube video and see the master at work.
With these settings and a bit of practice, you’ll be tapping, bending, and dive-bombing your way into guitar legend territory. Remember, Eddie Van Halen didn't become a guitar god overnight—so keep practicing, have fun, and let your inner rock star shine!
Final Thoughts:
Achieving the "Eruption" tone might not make you Eddie Van Halen overnight, but it's a step in the right direction. Now, go forth and rock on! And don’t forget to share your progress with fellow guitar enthusiasts. After all, music is better when shared.
