How to Dial In "Up for Breakfast" by Van Halen - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Up for Breakfast"
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 The Best of Both Worlds (2004). The Best of Both Worlds is the second greatest hits album by American rock band Van Halen, released on July 20, 2004, on Warner Bros. It is one of three new songs on the compilation, written by Eddie Van Halen, Sammy Hagar and Alex Van Halen, and Eddie Van Halen also played the bass on the new songs. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an EVH Striped Series through a Marshall 1959SLP Plexi Super Lead Reissue, the nearest rig we use for Van Halen's other songs, stands in. Set the amp to a driven, high-gain crunch and use the single pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Up for Breakfast" Tone
What guitar did Van Halen use on "Up for Breakfast"?
The guitar on "Up for Breakfast" (released 2004) isn't documented; the EVH Striped Series above gets the sound. Pickup selector: single pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Up for Breakfast" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 7, Presence 6.5, Volume 7. 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 "Up for Breakfast" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Up for Breakfast" 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 "Up for Breakfast" by Van Halen are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.