Ain't talkin bout love amp settings — Fender Mustang LT50
The Van Halen guitar tone for “Ain't talkin bout love”, dialed in for a Fender Mustang LT50 with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Van Halen I (1978)
Frankenstrat (single bridge humbucker) → MXR Phase 90 → MXR Flanger → Marshall Super Lead 1959 Plexi (variac'd to ~90V, cranked)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 7 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 1 |
| Master | 6 |
01Phaser (Mustang LT50 built-in effect)
Essential for the main riff — set slow swirl, not fast jet. Engage for rhythm, bypass for solo.
02Delay (Mustang LT50 built-in effect)
Slapback echo ~150ms, subtle repeats. Thickens the single-guitar arrangement.
The Mustang LT50's British 80s model approximates the Plexi midrange bark. I dropped treble from the original's 7 to 6 because Fender-voiced digital models run brighter than a real Plexi, and your Pacifica's bridge humbucker is ceramic—hotter and brighter than Eddie's PAF-style pickup. Mid stays high at 7 to preserve the nasal attack that defines the riff. The variac'd sag is impossible to replicate digitally, so back off gain slightly and let the built-in compression of the model do the work.
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These settings are for a Fender Mustang LT50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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