Tone library / Van halen / Ain't talking about love

Ain't talking about love amp settings — Fender Mustang 1

The Van halen guitar tone for “Ain't talking about love”, dialed in for a Fender Mustang 1 with a Squier Bullet Stratocaster. Studio version, Van Halen I (1978) — main opening riff and signature rhythm

Original rig

Marshall Super Lead 1959 Plexi (variac mod ~90V), Frankenstrat with bridge PAF humbucker, MXR Phase 90, Echoplex EP-3

Warm, aggressive crunch with percussive attack, subtle phaser swirl, and slapback ambience — the 'Brown Sound'

Amp settings — Fender Mustang 1

CHANNEL'British 70s' (or 'British 80s') amp model presetBRIGHToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	2
Master	6

Don’t have a Fender Mustang 1? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Phaser (MOD FX)

Select the onboard Phaser in MOD effects — set to a slow, subtle sweep before the amp block

Rate 3 · Depth 6

02Onboard Tape Delay (DLY FX)

Select Tape Delay / Echo in DLY effects for the vintage EP-3 slapback (~120ms single repeat)

Time 3 · Feedback 2 · Level 3

Why these settings

The Fender Mustang I uses digital modeling, so select the 'British 70s' model to emulate Eddie's cranked Marshall Super Lead. To compensate for the thin, bright single-coil bridge pickup on the Squier Strat, push the mids and bass slightly while rolling the guitar tone knob down to 8 to mimic a warm bridge humbucker. The Mustang I front panel lacks a dedicated physical presence knob, so power-amp bite is tailored via the treble setting and internal model voicing.

PRO TIPEddie palm-muted the open A string heavily while letting the high unison notes ring out sharply on the arpeggiated riff; use the side of your pick edge and strike close to the bridge for that crisp, percussive attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Mustang 1. 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 Fender Mustang 1

ヴェル・エール「Bel Air」Hikaya No SurprisesRadiohead It's Been AwhileStaind Seventh heavenINOHA Comfortable numbPink Floyd

Find your amp

Browse

Fender Mustang 1 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Ain't talking about love on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Van halen tonesALL SONGS Squier Bullet Stratocaster 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.