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

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love amp settings — Harley Benton DNAfx gitcore

The Van Halen guitar tone for “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love”, dialed in for a Harley Benton DNAfx gitcore with a ibanez JEMJR-WH. Studio version, Van Halen I (1978)

Original rig

Frankenstrat (single bridge humbucker) → MXR Phase 90 (script, slow setting) → Echoplex EP-3 (preamp coloration) → Marshall Super Lead 1959 100W (variac'd to ~90V, cranked for power tube saturation)

Crunchy mid-forward rhythm with pick attack clarity, subtle phaser swirl, warm saturation without fizz

Amp settings — Harley Benton DNAfx gitcore

CHANNELPlexi or Marshall-style amp model (closest to '68 Super Lead voicing)BRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Phaser (internal block — MXR Phase 90 style)

Set slow — the script Phase 90 on the original was subtle, around 9 o'clock. This is always-on for the main riff, providing gentle swirl without muddying the arpeggios.

Speed/Rate 2 · Depth 5

Why these settings

The DNAfx gitcore is a modeler, so select the Plexi/Marshall amp model to match Eddie's Super Lead. Your JEMJR's DiMarzio-style humbuckers are hotter than Eddie's PAF-wound Frankenstrat pickup, so gain is kept at 7 rather than pushed higher — the JEM will saturate the model faster. Mids at 7 preserve the chunky pick attack that defines this riff. Reverb is zero; the original is bone dry.

PRO TIPPick aggressively near the bridge with downstrokes on the main Am arpeggio — Eddie's attack is percussive and deliberate, not smooth. The tone knob stays wide open; the clarity comes from the variac'd amp's sag and your pick dynamics, not rolling off highs.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Harley Benton DNAfx gitcore. 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.