Eruption amp settings — Marshall Code 25

The Van Halen guitar tone for “Eruption”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 25 with a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster. Studio version, Van Halen (1978)

Original rig

1968 Marshall Super Lead 100W (variac-lowered voltage), Frankenstrat (bridge PAF humbucker), MXR Phase 90, Univox EC-80 Tape Echo, Sunset Sound EMT 140 plate reverb

Classic Brown Sound — harmonically saturated, mid-heavy crunch with smooth top-end and slow phase sweep

Amp settings — Marshall Code 25

CHANNELPlexi (1959SLP) Preamp + 100W Tube Power Amp + 1960V 4x12 CabBOOSTon

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	6
Mid	8
Treble	5
Reverb	4
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01Onboard Phaser (MOD block)

Set before preamp block to replicate the Script Phase 90 sweep into the cranked amp

Speed 2 · Depth 7

02Onboard Vintage Delay (DEL block)

Emulates the subtle slapback from the Univox EC-80 tape echo

Time 3 · Feedback 3 · Level 3

Why these settings

To compensate for the Squier's lower-output vintage-style single-coil bridge pickup versus Eddie's PAF humbucker, amp gain is pushed to 7 with the onboard Guv'nor style boost engaged. Treble is dialed back to 5 and the Strat's tone knob rolled to 8 to tame single-coil icepick frequencies and emulate the smooth, sagged top-end of a variac-starved Plexi. Strong midrange at 8 provides the signature Brown Sound vocal bark through the Code's digital engine.

PRO TIPPick aggressively close to the bridge with a stiff pick to force artificial pinch harmonics, and use the meat of your right-hand index finger directly over the fret wire during the two-handed tapping climax to maintain clean note separation.

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These settings are for a Marshall Code 25. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Marshall Code 25 settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Eruption on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Van Halen tonesALL SONGS Van Halen on the Marshall Code 25SAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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