How to Dial In "You and Your Blues" by Van Halen - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "You and Your Blues"
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 A Different Kind of Truth (2012). Produced by Van Halen and John Shanks at 5150 Studios and Henson Recording Studios between November 2010 and August 2011. It carries a processed guitar part that sounds like a synthesizer. Eddie Van Halen's effects around this album are listed as his signature MXR Phase 90, a Whammy and a wah, and the best-documented rig from the sessions (for "Tattoo") is an EVH Wolfgang Stealth into EVH 5150 III 50-watt heads, but no source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so an EVH Wolfgang USA Custom Stealth through an EVH 5150III 50W stands in. Set the amp at a driven crunch and use the bridge pickup. Published transcriptions put it a half step down (Eb standard).
Common Questions About the "You and Your Blues" Tone
What guitar did Van Halen use on "You and Your Blues"?
The guitar on "You and Your Blues" (released 2012) isn't documented; the EVH Wolfgang USA Custom Stealth above gets the sound. Pickup selector: bridge 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 "You and Your Blues" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 7, Bass 6, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, 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 "You and Your Blues" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "You and Your Blues" 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 "You and Your Blues" by Van Halen are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.