Eruption amp settings — Yamaha THR10II

The Van Halen guitar tone for “Eruption”, dialed in for a Yamaha THR10II with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V. Studio version, Van Halen debut album (1978)

Original rig

1968 Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W (Plexi) via Variac at ~85V, Frankenstrat with single Gibson PAF humbucker (bridge), MXR Phase 90, Echoplex/Univox echo unit

Warm, singing sustain with thick harmonic compression — not too clean, not too fizzy, sits in a sweet spot with natural sag

Amp settings — Yamaha THR10II

CHANNELBRIT HI — Marshall-voiced high-gain model

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	7
Bass	4
Mid	7
Treble	6
Reverb	2
Master	5

Don’t have a Yamaha THR10II? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge TONE7 VOLUME10

Signal chain

01THR10II Built-in Phaser (via THR Remote app)

Engages subtle Phase 90-style warble — set slow and moderate depth. Access via THR Remote app under Effects.

Speed 3 · Depth 4

Why these settings

Your Pacifica 112V has an Alnico V humbucker in the bridge — lower output and brighter than Eddie's wax-potted PAF. I've pushed mid to 7 (vs Eddie's dimed Plexi) to compensate for the THR's tighter, less saggy voicing. Gain at 7 captures the Variac-induced compression without fizz. Roll tone knob to 7 to tame the Pacifica's brightness and get closer to the PAF's warmth.

PRO TIPThe Variac's voltage reduction created power tube sag and natural compression — on the THR, back off your picking attack slightly and let notes bloom rather than digging in hard. Eddie's sustain came from the amp breathing, not from slamming strings.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Yamaha THR10II. 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 Yamaha THR10II

Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses evheddie van halen Ain't talking about loveVan halen NightmareAvenged Sevenfold hotel CaliforniaEagles Fluorescent AdolescentArctic Monkeys

Find your amp

Browse

Yamaha THR10II settingsALL SONGS FOR THIS AMP Eruption on other ampsSAME SONG, YOUR AMP Van Halen tonesALL SONGS Van Halen on the Yamaha THR10IISAME ARTIST, SAME AMP Yamaha Pacifica 112V 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.