Eruption amp settings — Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
The Van Halen guitar tone for “Eruption”, dialed in for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV with a EVH Wolfgang Standard. Studio version, Van Halen (1978)
1968 Marshall 1959 Super Lead (Variac down to ~90V, cranked) + Frankenstrat (Gibson PAF humbucker) + MXR Phase 90 + Maestro Echoplex EP-3 + Univox EC-80A + Sunset Sound plate/chamber reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 9 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 8 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 4 |
| Master | 4 |
01MXR Phase 90
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; place in front of amp input for the signature tapping sweep
02Analog/Tape Delay (Echoplex style)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; run in FX loop set to ~300ms for ambient trailing
The Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV has a naturally scooped mid response and bright top end compared to a cranked plexi Marshall, so push Middle to 8, pull Treble back to 5, and run the 'More Drive' channel at Gain 9 to approximate the heavy saturation without pedals. Bass is kept low at 4 to prevent the open-back cabinet from flubbing out on rapid tapping runs. Adding an MXR Phase 90 and tape delay later will instantly nail the motion and space of the record.
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These settings are for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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