Ain't talking about love amp settings — Vox AC15C1
The Eddie Vanhalen guitar tone for “Ain't talking about love”, dialed in for a Vox AC15C1 with a Fender American Original 60s Stratocaster. Studio version, Van Halen (1978) — main muted arpeggio riff and driven chorus
1968 Marshall Super Lead 100W (variac lowered to ~90V, dimed) + Frankenstein Strat with rewound Gibson PAF humbucker + MXR Flanger (117) + MXR 6-band EQ + Echoplex EP-3
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 9 |
| Bass | 7 |
| Treble | 4 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 6 |
01MXR EVH117 Flanger / EVH Phase 90
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned
02Marshall-style Overdrive / MIAB (e.g. Friedman BE-OD or MXR 5150)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned
The Vox AC15C1 naturally has a bright, chimey EL84 top end without a dedicated midrange knob, whereas Eddie's tone relies on thick Marshall power-tube saturation and a PAF humbucker. To compensate on the Top Boost channel, the tone cut is pulled back heavily (simulated here with treble at 4) and bass is pushed to 7 to add warmth, while the guitar's tone knob is rolled back to 7 to tame the 60s Strat's single-coil bite. Because the AC15 cannot reach full Brown Sound saturation on its own, gain is maxed near 9 for maximum natural breakup; adding a dedicated Marshall-in-a-box overdrive pedal is recommended to close the saturation gap.
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These settings are for a Vox AC15C1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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