Ain't talkin bout love amp settings — Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb
The Evh guitar tone for “Ain't talkin bout love”, dialed in for a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb with a EVH Wolfgang Standard. Studio version, Van Halen (1978 debut album)
Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi (Variac'd to ~90V), Frankenstrat with PAF-style humbucker, MXR Phase 90, MXR Flanger, slapback delay
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 6 |
01Overdrive/Distortion (TS-style or higher-gain OD)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A Boss SD-1, Ibanez TS9, or EHX East River Drive will get you 85% there. This is essential — the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb cannot produce high-gain crunch on its own.
02MXR Phase 90 (or similar phaser)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Set slow for the swirling rhythm texture. An EHX Small Stone or Boss PH-3 works as substitute. Place AFTER the overdrive.
The Tone Master Deluxe Reverb is a clean-platform Fender with no breakup until extreme volumes — it cannot produce Marshall crunch alone. You MUST use an overdrive pedal as the gain source; the amp stays relatively clean to amplify the pedal's dirt. Treble dropped from Eddie's 7 to 5 because Fenders are brighter than Plexis; mids pushed from 6 to 7 to compensate for Fender's natural mid-scoop vs Marshall's mid-forward voicing.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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