Tone library / Van halen / Jump

Jump amp settings — Headrush Prime

The Van halen guitar tone for “Jump”, dialed in for a Headrush Prime with a Jackson X Series Kelly KEXT. Studio version, 1984 (1984) — matching the signature rhythm crunch and iconic guitar solo

Original rig

EVH Frankenstrat (bridge humbucker) → MXR Phase 90 (script logo) → Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi (Variac at 89V) into Celestion Greenback 4x12 cab

Warm, harmonically rich brown sound crunch with swirling phase modulation — tight midrange bark, smooth compression from the Variac'd power section, singing sustain on the tapped solo
Amp settings — Headrush Prime
CHANNEL'67 Plexi Variac model + 4x12 Green 25W IR blockBRIGHTonBOOSToff
GAIN 7 BASS 5 MID 7 TREBLE 6 PRESENCE 7 REVERB 2 MASTER 8
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain7
Bass5
Mid7
Treble6
Presence7
Reverb2
Master8
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Phaser block (MXR Phase 90 style)

Placed before the amp block to capture the vintage EVH script Phase 90 sweep into the front of the Plexi; engage during the solo and specific rhythm fills.

Speed 3 · Depth 6 · Feedback 2

02Plate Reverb block

FX loop / post-cab placement to emulate Sunset Sound studio plate reverb ambience.

Time 4 · Pre-Delay 2 · Mix 3
Why these settings

The Headrush Prime's '67 Plexi Variac model replicates the sag and low-voltage saturation of Eddie's original Super Lead. The Jackson Kelly's high-output humbucker pushes the front end hard, so keep the amp gain around 7 rather than cranking it to maintain note separation in the two-hand tapped passages. Pushing mids to 7 and presence to 7 provides the signature upper-midrange bite needed to cut through alongside the synthesizers.

PRO TIPFor the solo's two-handed tapping run, rest your picking hand's palm lightly across the unplayed lower strings to prevent unwanted open-string ringing while the high gain and phaser modulate the harmonics.

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