Ask Eddie

TopicsAll ForumsGeneralVan Halen NewsAsk Eddie

This topic has 22 voices, contains 54 replies, and was last updated by  vhrob 2981 days ago.

August 14, 2015 at 9:47 am Quote #48430

Cut2TheCrash
(816)

Its nice to see that Ed does not dismiss the “Hagar” years or songs from his Q&A’s


  Quote
November 21, 2015 at 4:43 am Quote #50932

PT5150
(6281)

http://www.evhgear.com/news/2015/11/ask-eddie-on-how-to-set-your-floyd-rose/

The latest edition of our Ask Eddie series comes from Jack Devine in New Jersey.

Devine, a guitar player, seemed curious about the way Eddie Van Halen likes to set up his Floyd Rose, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer himself was kind enough to answer.

Read the entire exchange below.

Devine: Hi Mr. Van Halen. I have a question that concerns the Floyd Rose system. When you set up your Floyd Rose, do you leave it flush with the surface of the guitar or do you let it float slightly so you can bend up, as well? I have set it up to where the unit is a flush as possible on all of the guitars I own with a Floyd Rose system. Do you think that any difference in how the unit is positioned will effect my sustain or tone? I’ve always wondered this, and you’re definitely the person to ask! P.S. You got me into music and have influenced my playing style immensely!

All the best, Jack Devine

Van Halen: Hi Jack,

Eddie here. The answer is very simple. The more things/parts on your guitar that are connected, the more sustain you will get, and better tone. Mine are all set up flush with the body. They do not pull up. I am so happy to have been a factor in getting you into music and being an influence on your playing. Don’t ever stop!! Music is the universal language. It transcends all.

Thank you for your question, Jack.

All the best,

Eddie

Submit your questions to Eddie Van Halen here. If it makes the cut, you could be featured on EVHgear.com!


EDDIE’S fingers aren’t fingers they are muscle-powered pistons that hammer guitar strings to the fretboard with the force of a rivet gun”.


  Quote
November 21, 2015 at 1:51 pm Quote #50947

guitard
(7354)

So Ed is saying he can’t pull up with his tremolo bar. But I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him pull up (or perhaps better stated – pull the bar away from the guitar). Maybe it just looks that way to me, but he actually isn’t pulling the bar up. For example, I’ve filmed him holding the guitar ONLY by the bar with his arm extended out in front of him and it looks and sounds like the bar gets pulled away from the guitar by the gravity (weight) of the guitar.


  Quote
November 21, 2015 at 4:10 pm Quote #50950

wjamflan
(1089)

guitard: So Ed is saying he can’t pull up with his tremolo bar.But I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him pull up (or perhaps better stated – pull the bar away from the guitar).Maybe it just looks that way to me, but he actually isn’t pulling the bar up.For example, I’ve filmed him holding the guitar ONLY by the bar with his arm extended out in front of him and it looks and sounds like the bar gets pulled away from the guitar by the gravity (weight) of the guitar.

Randy – Ed has set all of his strat style guitars flush against the body since the early days. The Steinberger is the only guitar he’s had set up to pull up .


“This hamburger don’t need no helper.” – DLR 5/17/15


  Quote
November 21, 2015 at 9:18 pm Quote #50952

Cut2TheCrash
(816)

guitard: So Ed is saying he can’t pull up with his tremolo bar.But I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him pull up (or perhaps better stated – pull the bar away from the guitar).Maybe it just looks that way to me, but he actually isn’t pulling the bar up.For example, I’ve filmed him holding the guitar ONLY by the bar with his arm extended out in front of him and it looks and sounds like the bar gets pulled away from the guitar by the gravity (weight) of the guitar.

With the Dtuna you couldnt pull very much up because it will it the body


  Quote
November 23, 2015 at 6:57 pm Quote #50999

VAiN
(2777)

guitard: So Ed is saying he can’t pull up with his tremolo bar.But I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him pull up (or perhaps better stated – pull the bar away from the guitar).Maybe it just looks that way to me, but he actually isn’t pulling the bar up.For example, I’ve filmed him holding the guitar ONLY by the bar with his arm extended out in front of him and it looks and sounds like the bar gets pulled away from the guitar by the gravity (weight) of the guitar.

Ed is very tricky.. sometimes he’ll hit a harmonic with the bar slightly depressed and will then ‘pull up’ on the bar to the neutral position. It’s a nice trick, really.. the harmonics are so high pitched to begin with that it really does sound like he’s pulling the note sharp.


Resident dickhead. I will hurt your delicate feelings.


  Quote
January 5, 2016 at 7:07 am Quote #51631

PT5150
(6281)

http://www.evhgear.com/news/2015/12/ask-eddie-the-first-frankenstrat/
Ask Eddie: The First Frankenstrat
Posted on December 15th, 2015 by MDuffy
Patrick Lynch form the United Kingdom recently wrote in to ask Eddie Van Halen to help settle a bet with his father regarding the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s legendary striped guitars.
It’s a pretty straightforward question, but Van Halen’s answer is priceless.
Read the entire exchange below.

Lynch: Hi Eddie. I would like to know which was your first striped guitar? I say it’s the Frankenstrat, but my dad says the yellow and black one.

Van Halen: Hi Patrick,
Eddie here and thank you for your question. You want to know which guitar was the first one I painted with the stripes. I am sorry to say, but your father is wrong. The first guitar I painted with the stripes was the Frankenstein, but it was only black and white. It’s the guitar pictured on the first Van Halen record. I added red to it a few years later. Sorry dad, kids are smarter than you think.
All the best to you Patrick and your father.
Eddie

Submit your questions to Eddie Van Halen here. If it makes the cut, you could be featured on EVHgear.com!


EDDIE’S fingers aren’t fingers they are muscle-powered pistons that hammer guitar strings to the fretboard with the force of a rivet gun”.


  Quote
January 5, 2016 at 2:30 pm Quote #51640

VAiN
(2777)

PT5150: http://www.evhgear.com/news/2015/12/ask-eddie-the-first-frankenstrat/ Ask Eddie: The First Frankenstrat Posted on December 15th, 2015 by MDuffy Patrick Lynch form the United Kingdom recently wrote in to ask Eddie Van Halen to help settle a bet with his father regarding the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s legendary striped guitars. It’s a pretty straightforward question, but Van Halen’s answer is priceless. Read the entire exchange below.

Lynch: Hi Eddie. I would like to know which was your first striped guitar? I say it’s the Frankenstrat, but my dad says the yellow and black one.

Van Halen: Hi Patrick, Eddie here and thank you for your question. You want to know which guitar was the first one I painted with the stripes. I am sorry to say, but your father is wrong. The first guitar I painted with the stripes was the Frankenstein, but it was only black and white. It’s the guitar pictured on the first Van Halen record. I added red to it a few years later. Sorry dad, kids are smarter than you think. All the best to you Patrick and your father. Eddie

Submit your questions to Eddie Van Halen here. If it makes the cut, you could be featured on EVHgear.com!

Another hard-hitting question answered. Next up – the drum mystery.


Resident dickhead. I will hurt your delicate feelings.


  Quote
February 26, 2016 at 11:09 am Quote #52566

ron
(11511)

http://www.evhgear.com/news/2016/02/ask-eddie-on-his-preferred-action/

Ask Eddie: On His Preferred Action
Posted on February 22nd, 2016 by MDuffy

Ever wonder how Eddie Van Halen likes the action on his guitars?

Stefan Nickel from Germany did, so he recently wrote in with a question for the legendary guitarist in this month’s Ask Eddie feature.

Read the entire exchange below.

Nickel: Hello, Mr. Van Halen! I would really like to know what action you prefer on your guitars. Is your bottom line simply the lower the better? Many people say 1 mm on the 12th fret is low. But what about the problem of buzzing and loss of sustain? What is your opinion?

Best regards,

Stefan

Van Halen: Hi Stefan,

Eddie here and thank you for your question. The way I do it is beyond simple. I lower it until it buzzes and I back it off to where anywhere on the neck, it doesn’t “frett out.” That includes when bending strings. The radius of your finger board will impact how low you can set your action, especially when bending notes up or down. I definitely prefer my action as low as possible. It’s just easier to play, so why make it difficult? I hope that answers your question, Stefan.

All the best,

Eddie VH


  Quote
February 26, 2016 at 11:36 am Quote #52567

vhrob
(1727)

again….. a question that Ed has stated litterally HUNDREDS of times over the years in about every guitar mag out there since the 80s. I wish he would pick to answer the questions that folks really dont ask a lot.

either way good to hear him responding to stuff.

Rob


vhtrading member since 2000


  Quote

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.