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

Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love amp settings — Nuix W20

The Van Halen guitar tone for “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love”, dialed in for a Nuix W20 with a EVH Wolfgang Standard. Studio version, Van Halen (1978)

Original rig

Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi (variac'd to ~90V), Frankenstrat with bridge humbucker, MXR Phase 90, MXR Flanger

Crunchy, aggressive rhythm with haunting arpeggiated minor chord texture, slapback echo adding space, Phase 90 swirl on rhythm parts

Amp settings — Nuix W20

CHANNELUK 80s (or closest Plexi/Marshall voicing available)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 (built-in or modeled)

Slow Rate (~9 o'clock) is critical — this creates the signature swirl on the rhythm arpeggios. Use sparingly, engage for verses.

Rate 3 · Depth 6 · Level 7

02Delay (built-in slapback)

Set to ~120-150ms slapback delay. Low feedback (1-2 repeats). Subtle mix — this adds dimension without washing out the attack.

Time 3 · Feedback 2 · Level 4

03Flanger (built-in)

RECOMMENDED for bridge section swirl — engage only during the breakdown. If your Nuix lacks flanger, skip this; the Phase 90 carries the main tone.

Rate 3 · Depth 5 · Regeneration 4 · Level 6

Why these settings

The Nuix W20 is a digital modeler — select the Marshall Plexi or UK 80s amp model to match Eddie's variac'd Super Lead. Your EVH Wolfgang has a similar hot-output humbucker to the Frankenstrat, so no gain compensation needed. Mid pushed to 7 (vs typical Plexi 6) to capture the aggressive bite Eddie got from the variac voltage sag. Reverb at 0 — the original is bone dry with only slapback echo.

PRO TIPThe magic of this riff is in the pick attack on those arpeggiated Am chords — dig in hard on the downstrokes and let the Phase 90 swirl breathe between notes. Eddie used slight palm muting on the lower strings while letting the high strings ring clean. Tune down to E♭ Standard before dialing anything in.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Nuix W20. 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.