Tone library / Van Halen / Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

The Van Halen guitar tone for “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love”, dialed in for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3 with a Ibanez GIO GRG170DX. Studio version, Van Halen I (1978)

Original rig

Frankenstrat (single bridge humbucker, Gibson PAF rewound) → MXR Phase 90 → Marshall Super Lead 1959 100W Plexi (variac-powered ~90V, both channels jumpered, cranked to full)

Crunchy, mid-forward brown sound with harmonic bite and controlled sustain — power tube saturation, not fizzy preamp gain

Amp settings — Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3

CHANNELOD1BOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	6
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	7
Reverb	0
Master	5

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Why these settings

Original used a cranked non-master-volume Plexi for power tube saturation — the ID:Core's OD1 voice approximates that Marshall grind. ISF set fully clockwise (British voicing). Gain kept moderate at 6 because Eddie's saturation came from power tubes, not preamp — pushing higher gets fizzy on this amp. Mid bumped to 7 to compensate for the GRG170DX's INF pickups being slightly scooped vs a PAF humbucker.

PRO TIPThe secret to Eddie's attack on this riff is palm-mute pressure — very light, barely touching the strings at the bridge, letting harmonics ring through. Too heavy and you kill the 'brown sound' bloom.

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These settings are for a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V3. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.