How to Dial In "Tora! Tora!" by Van Halen - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Tora! Tora!"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Women and Children First (1980). Women and Children First is the third studio album by American rock band Van Halen, released on March 26, 1980, on Warner Bros. The track list marks it as an instrumental, and no source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an EVH Frankenstein Relic Series through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the rig we use for Van Halen's other songs from Women and Children First, stands in. Set the amp to a medium-gain crunch and use the single pickup. Published transcriptions put it in E♭ standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), a half step below standard.
Common Questions About the "Tora! Tora!" Tone
What guitar did Van Halen use on "Tora! Tora!"?
The guitar on "Tora! Tora!" (released 1980) isn't documented; the EVH Frankenstein Relic Series above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar. The track is in E♭ Standard (E♭ A♭ D♭ G♭ B♭ E♭), so retune before you dial anything in.
What amp settings does "Tora! Tora!" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 6.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 8. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Tora! Tora!" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Tora! Tora!" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Tora! Tora!" by Van Halen are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.