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

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love amp settings — Marshall Vs100

The Van Halen guitar tone for “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love”, dialed in for a Marshall Vs100 with a Gibson SG Special. Studio version, Van Halen I (1978)

Original rig

Frankenstrat (single bridge humbucker, no tone pot) → MXR Phase 90 → Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi (Variac'd to ~90V for sag/compression)

Crunchy, compressed mid-forward rhythm with swirling phase modulation and scooped low-end punch

Amp settings — Marshall Vs100

CHANNELOverdrive channelBRIGHToffBOOSToff

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

Don’t have a Marshall Vs100? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01MXR Phase 90

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for the swirling rhythm texture. Set slow for the verse chug, this pedal defines the track's vibe. A Boss PH-3 or EHX Small Stone are affordable alternatives.

Speed 3

Why these settings

Your VS100's overdrive channel is darker and more mid-scooped than a cranked Plexi, so I pushed mids to 7 (original was 6) and dropped treble to 6 (original was 7) to compensate. Your SG's dual humbuckers run hotter than Eddie's single-humbucker Frankenstrat, so gain stays at 7 rather than pushing higher. The Variac sag is impossible to replicate—play lighter for dynamics.

PRO TIPEddie's right-hand palm muting is extremely light on this riff—barely touching the strings near the bridge. Heavy muting kills the phase effect's shimmer. Let the notes breathe and the Phase 90 will do the work.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Marshall Vs100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

More tones for the Marshall Vs100

CreepRADIOHEAD

Find your amp

Browse

Marshall Vs100 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Van Halen tonesALL SONGS Gibson SG Special tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.