Ain't talkin about love amp settings — Yamaha Ga15II
The Van Halen guitar tone for “Ain't talkin about love”, dialed in for a Yamaha Ga15II with a Starcaster Contemporary active. Studio version, Van Halen (1978)
1968 Marshall Super Lead 100W (Variac-dropped to ~90V), 'Frankenstrat' with Gibson PAF bridge humbucker, MXR Flanger, MXR Phase 90, Echoplex EP-3, Sunset Sound plate reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Master | 4 |
01MXR EVH117 Flanger
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (key for the signature riff sweep)
02Analog Delay / Slapback Tape Echo
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (~300ms pre-amp slapback repeat)
The Yamaha GA15II is a small solid-state practice amp lacking presence and reverb, so drive must come directly from its Drive channel with gain dialed moderately at 6. Because your Starcaster has hot active humbuckers compared to Eddie's vintage PAF, keep the amp's Drive gain at 6 rather than pushing it higher to prevent muddy solid-state clipping. Boosting the amp's Middle control to 7 compensates for the active pickups' natural mid-scoop and reclaims the Marshall upper-mid cut.
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These settings are for a Yamaha Ga15II. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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