greatest innovation that eddie gave to the guitar world

**Dooby** · 07.26.00, 01:11 AM

Eddie took the lead guitar to another level, he was copied by many but none of them have reached his greatness.
I do like what Vai did, he was more intricate than Eddie but lacked power.
So come on VH give us more of what you do best.

**Glenn** · 07.26.00, 06:05 AM

I think that would have to be tapping. Not that he was the first to do it but he just made it his own and built a whole new syle. His guitar/amp sound and different pickup configurations are interesting, but his legacy will be taking lead guitar to a new level. It's funny, Eddie is a wonderful rhythmn guitarist, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who would even notice his rhythmn guitar work. But that can't be seen as an insult, it's just a testament to his genius as a lead guitar player.

**VanEdge** · 07.26.00, 08:03 AM

i'm not sure there is any one specific thing that is the most important.
let's not forget that the Floyd Rose tremolo wouldn't exist as it is if not for Eddie's input.
he broke down so many barriers in what people thought a guitar could sound like, what hard rock could sound like, how guitars look, how they are built, and how people play them. his use of guitar effects is nothing short of pure genius, too.

he wasn't afraid to take chances, and millions of musicians and music fans have benefitted from his work. there was a lot of great guitars, players, and music out there, but Eddie is the one who brought it all together and raised the the standards to heights that have yet to be surpassed.
he took jimmy page's recklessness and clapton's precision and brought them together with his own exceptional sense of music and guitar playing. he brought the sound of a les paul together with the feel of the strat, and he made it work in ways no one had previously imagined.

oh, and let's not forget - the music he writes is fucking phenomenal.

(gonna move this to the guitar forum after a little while longer)

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-VanEdge
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1999 Peavey Wolfgang

"Eddie Van Halen could fart into a microphone and make better music than anyone else." - VanEdge
"See, all I do is make music..." - EVH
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**laner** · 07.26.00, 08:21 AM

he's my favorite. i haven't heard anyone who can play as good as him yet.
you're right vanedge, his music is phenomenal.

**Brett** · 07.26.00, 09:53 AM

Eddie's rhythm playing is VASTLY underrated because of his lead contributions unfortunately. His attack when playing rhythm is the best ever IMO, he has incredible touch. And of course that massive unattainable tone helps too.

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**Spanish Doctor** · 07.26.00, 11:19 AM

Brett - how true. The guitarist of one of my favorite bands, Iced Earth, said exactly the same thing of Eddie Van Halen in an interview when he said he'd finally found a lead guitarist who was also good at rhythm.

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**homeunit** · 07.26.00, 11:23 AM

What Brett said

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**Unchained Wolfie** · 07.26.00, 11:46 AM

What an ass!!! You should've jakked that prick in the face!! Sammy didn't even play guitar at shows after the 5150 tour!

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Nick "I've been to the edge, MMMMThere I stood and looked down."

**Potking** · 07.26.00, 12:22 PM

sammy did play guitar on every van halen tour wolfie

**Markymark** · 07.26.00, 12:51 PM

I agree!

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**diggyd** · 07.26.00, 01:45 PM

Let's see,Eddie's contributions go as follows...
1. The 2 handed technique
2. Tremolo picking
3. His extensive whammy work which led to the development of the Floyd Rose
4. Odd tunings
5. Complex rhythm guitar work
6. The one humbucker pickup configuration which every guitar in the 80's copied
7. Speed
8. Original harmonic endeavors including tapped harmonics
9. Strange noises
10. The brown sound
11. The first crazy paint design on a guitar
12. Complex songwritng
13. The first( I hate to say it)metal band to make a keyboard a main writing instrument... I don't feel that they resemble anything "metal" but this was the early 80's
14. Feel
15. The D-tuna
16. Took the E-bow to new heights
17. Designed one helluva an amp and guitar
18. Experimented with a power tool on Poundcake
19. Wrote a number one song in "Jump"
20. Showed us musicians that marriage can last past the 7 year itch