Eddie Van Halen - Guitar Setup & Tunings
Quick Facts
- Primary Tuning
- Half Step Down
- String Gauge
- .009-.040 (early career), .009-.042 or .009-.046 (later)
- String Brand
- Fender 150XL (early), Ernie Ball (later), EVH Premium Strings
- Genre
- Classic Rock
About Eddie Van Halen's Sound
Edward Lodewijk Van Halen (1955-2020) single-handedly changed rock guitar in 1978 with Van Halen's debut album. His two-handed tapping technique, dive bombs, and aggressive picking revolutionized guitar playing. A classically trained pianist, Eddie brought a musical sophistication to hard rock that influenced generations. He designed his own guitars, invented the 'Frankenstein' guitar, and developed the EVH brand with innovative amplifier and guitar designs. Van Halen sold over 80 million albums worldwide. Eddie died of cancer in 2020, leaving an irreplaceable legacy.
Tunings Used
Eb Standard - 7 songs
- EruptionTry this tuning →
- JumpTry this tuning →
- PanamaTry this tuning →
- Hot for TeacherTry this tuning →
- Ain't Talkin' 'Bout LoveTry this tuning →
- Running with the DevilTry this tuning →
- Mean StreetTry this tuning →
Drop Db (Drop D down half step) - 1 song
- UnchainedTry this tuning →
String Setup
Primary Strings
Fender 150XL (early), Ernie Ball (later), EVH Premium Strings
.009-.040 (early career), .009-.042 or .009-.046 (later)
Why Eddie Van Halen uses these
Eddie tuned down to Eb standard for most of Van Halen's catalog - he famously said E standard felt like 'rubber band city' and preferred the feel of half-step down tuning. His early string gauges (.009-.040) were exceptionally light for rock, enabling his fluid legato and tapping. He modified everything about his guitars, from routing bodies for different pickups to creating his own bridges. His 'brown sound' came from modified Marshall amplifiers, Variac voltage reducers, and his precise picking technique. The Floyd Rose tremolo system became essential to his style.