Eddie's Playing 1994 - 1996
Follow us on...
Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook Watch us on YouTube
Register
Likes Likes:  0
Page 1 of 4 1234 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 49
  1. #1
    Take Your Whiskey Home
    Reckless Fable's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.30.02
    Age
    46
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    6,893
    Posts Per Day
    0.87
    Favorite VH Album

    All of them
    Favorite VH Song

    Girl Gone Bad, Hang 'em High
    Last Online

    Yesterday @ 05:35 PM
    Likes (Given)
    805
    Likes (Received)
    586
    Thanks (Given)
    1860
    Thanks (Received)
    2379

    Achievements:
    Master PraiserSupremely-LikedVHLinks Proud!50,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default Eddie's Playing 1994 - 1996

    I wanted to discuss this in the guitar forums because I don't want this turning into another Dave/Sam flamewar in the "Main" area. Plus, I'd like to just specifically talk about Eddie's guitar playing and not the politics behind the band, which to some may be important, but is not the purpose for this thread.

    Brett mentioned in one of these threads that Eddie was smoking from 1994 - 1996. I remember at the time being utterly impressed each time I saw VH live on the Balance tour. While Ed wasn't jumping around due to his hip, his playing had a "little something extra" that I haven't heard since. He was crisp, clean, hungry and playing with more emotion than at any point in his career. Not that he was "better" than when he was 23, but he was matured and seasoned, yet also still hungry.

    So, I went to YouTube and found that some dude had recently posted the Pensacola Balance show on there. I started watching last night at 10:00pm and didn't finish until 11:30pm. I couldn't stop watching because it was so amazing to me how freaking incredible Eddie sounded. All the little naunces within the songs, and the riffs that turned me on to Eddie in the beginning were all executed to perfection. I forgot what a ferocious song Aftershock was!

    Naturally, I was pretty bummed after watching those videos when compared to the current status of the man, but the purpose of this thread isn't to discuss Ed's current situation.

    What did you fellow guitar heads think about Ed's playing from 1994-1996? Also, what 3 songs that weren't played during the Balance tour would you have liked to see that Eddie play that weren't played (forget about the logistics of who the singer was)?

    Personally, I would have liked to see him play "I'm the One," "Mean Street" and "Summer Nights."

  2. #2
    Eruption
    Rockguitarstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    12.20.01
    Location
    Sunny California
    Posts
    152
    Posts Per Day
    0.02
    Favorite VH Album

    Fair Warning
    Favorite VH Song

    That's Why I love ya
    Last Online

    09.11.07 @ 11:35 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    0

    Default

    You know in all honesty his playing through the end of the III tour begining from 94 was unreal bro. The bootlegs I have from the balance tour and the II tour are just off the charts, I think his writing and his live playing benefitted so much from the fact that he wasnt drinking. No one could touch Ed at that point in music...
    Van Halen....nothing else is needed....

  3. #3
    Pope Of Greenwich Village
    SuckaInA3Piece's Avatar
    Join Date
    09.26.02
    Age
    43
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    18,444
    Posts Per Day
    2.38
    Favorite VH Album

    Van Halen II
    Favorite VH Song

    Drop Dead Legs
    Last Online

    05.17.20 @ 12:05 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Thanks (Given)
    54
    Thanks (Received)
    34


    Donor

    Achievements:
    Padawan PraiserVHLinks Proud!50,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    Despite what some think, Ed was still drinking on that tour. I've got a few boots where he's chugging cans of beers here and there. I do think he'd tried hard to curb his drinking though, but that's not what this thread is about.

    At some point on that Balance tour his tone got too wet for my tastes, but his playing was unreal. His best ever? Nah, I like the first two tours, and the OU812/MOR tours the best, but I believe someone mentioned his maturity, and I think that's what I liked the best. He was who he was, and he did what he did best. He didn't have to jump around and be that crazy and wild EVH we all love. His lack of mobility really made him just sit back and kick out some crazy solo's and really inspired playing overall.

    The one thing I don't like about the Balance tour is the set list. If I had to choose three tunes it would be Good Enough, A.F.U. and Summer Nights.
    "It's always a Catch-22 situation. They hate you if you're the same, and they hate you if you're different."
    ~Eddie Van Halen~

    "The perfect woman has an IQ of 150, wants to make love until 4 in the morning, and then turns into a pizza."
    ~David Lee Roth~

    Sucka'sFacebook

  4. #4
    Runnin' With The Devil

    Join Date
    03.12.04
    Posts
    1,622
    Posts Per Day
    0.23
    Last Online

    11.16.20 @ 07:56 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    6
    Thanks (Given)
    10
    Thanks (Received)
    173

    Achievements:
    Well-Liked15,000 VHL Life PointsKnight Of Da Roundtable

    Default

    I think his playing on the Balance tour was incredible, but after a while I did get sick of that very processed sound he had going on then. His playing on the III tour was really incredible also, and I preferred his tone on that tour, which was much less processed and much more raw. He really had his shit together on that tour also. His playing on the 04 tour, well, that really wasn't up to Eddie's abilities. A lot of it had to do with that stupid sustainer, and a lot had to do with the alcohol. I was really impressed with Eddie again on the Fender NAMM video, even though he was just screwing aroung and making noise, his tone was back and his fingers were moving pretty good. I hope this stay in rehab really does it for him, because if it does, watch out.

  5. #5
    5150
    TheMightyCopenHalenII's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.20.01
    Location
    Liberal's Paradise
    Posts
    706
    Posts Per Day
    0.09
    Favorite VH Album

    All of em, except for III
    Favorite VH Song

    Too many to name
    Last Online

    03.25.19 @ 07:09 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Default

    His playing during that time was phenomenal...I actually dug his tone as well.
    He was crisp, on time and exected very well. Don't Tell Me fuckin' whomps.

    I would have liked to have seen 5150, Source of Infection and Dance The Night Away. I don't know if they would have worked vocally, but i would have even taken instrumental jams of: I'm The One, Drop Dead Legs and Little Guitars would have been bitchin'. I'll name the whole catalog if I don't stop here...
    FUCK THE DUMB SHIT!!!!

  6. #6
    Eruption

    Join Date
    07.25.04
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    277
    Posts Per Day
    0.04
    Favorite VH Album

    Fair Warning
    Favorite VH Song

    Hear About It Later
    Last Online

    11.22.23 @ 12:46 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    1

    Achievements:
    Knight Of Da Roundtable15,000 VHL Life Points

    Default

    Ed's playing in that era was great, but I agree that his sound was so washed out/processed it was terrible. I thought his playing and sound on the III Tour were above anything in several years, even when I saw them on the F.U.C.K. tour in '91. He was just so on, his sound was a lot better (though still too much rack gear), and he was so fit and healthy looking. I used to watch the boot from Australia all the time until I lost it. If anyone has it?... :-)
    'If it sounds good, it is good.'

    EVH

  7. #7
    Eruption

    Join Date
    09.05.03
    Posts
    291
    Posts Per Day
    0.04
    Last Online

    06.27.12 @ 08:59 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    0

    Default

    I agree Ed's sound was pretty wicked during this period. Also great during "3" as well. My least favorite period of his was absolutely the "FUCK" tour. Just listen to the opening riff of "Ain't Talkin'..." on "Live RHRN," it sounds so muddled if that makes any sense. Nothing raw about it at all...almost too quiet in a way. May have been just the recording, but just my 2 pennies anyway.

  8. #8
    Eruption

    Join Date
    11.16.05
    Age
    40
    Location
    Portland OR
    Posts
    182
    Posts Per Day
    0.03
    Favorite VH Album

    Balance
    Favorite VH Song

    The Dream is over, Dreams
    Last Online

    06.22.18 @ 11:59 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    3
    Thanks (Received)
    8

    Default

    This era is my favorite era of Van Halen. Balance was incredible. The Paper view show they did was amazing. Three was incredible as well. Maybe even just one notch up form the Balance tour. I have always said that if Sammy or Dave had been in the band on the Three tour they would have destroyed the world that year. The other thing from that era is the Garage band jam. One of my favorite Eddie performances ever. With all the artists that were on that stage, he really stood out. Also the ALS benifit he did with Lukather and Shean too. Every thing is gold in the mid 90's with Ed.

  9. #9
    Sinner's Swing!
    rolsguitars's Avatar
    Join Date
    12.18.01
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    858
    Posts Per Day
    0.11
    Favorite VH Album

    Fair Warning
    Favorite VH Song

    Hear About it later
    Last Online

    01.22.09 @ 10:08 AM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rockguitarstar View Post
    You know in all honesty his playing through the end of the III tour begining from 94 was unreal bro. The bootlegs I have from the balance tour and the II tour are just off the charts, I think his writing and his live playing benefitted so much from the fact that he wasnt drinking. No one could touch Ed at that point in music...

    I'm gonna agree with this here, I thought his playing right thru the 3 tour was awesome, but went downhill quick after that, anyone know when the allstar Jam
    with Paul Sheaffer, Ritchie Sambora, Sheryl Crow etc etc was ?? now that show he was totally off Sambora made him look like a fool was that after 98' ??

  10. #10
    Take Your Whiskey Home
    Reckless Fable's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.30.02
    Age
    46
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    6,893
    Posts Per Day
    0.87
    Favorite VH Album

    All of them
    Favorite VH Song

    Girl Gone Bad, Hang 'em High
    Last Online

    Yesterday @ 05:35 PM
    Likes (Given)
    805
    Likes (Received)
    586
    Thanks (Given)
    1860
    Thanks (Received)
    2379

    Achievements:
    Master PraiserSupremely-LikedVHLinks Proud!50,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    I wasn't a big fan of metal pick during the III era. The metal hitting metal kinda grates on my ears, however, Ed's playing was fantastic.

    BTW, does anyone know how Ed got that "single coil" sounds playing Runaround on the Balance tour? He's always played his amber/quilt, humbucker EBMM, but he gets a single coil tone without the coil tap. Very interesting...

  11. #11
    The Full Bug
    kowski's Avatar
    Join Date
    06.10.02
    Age
    38
    Location
    Peoria
    Posts
    1,939
    Posts Per Day
    0.25
    Last Online

    02.14.23 @ 07:55 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    13
    Thanks (Given)
    2
    Thanks (Received)
    11

    Achievements:
    VHLinks Proud!15,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Reckless Fable View Post
    I wasn't a big fan of metal pick during the III era. The metal hitting metal kinda grates on my ears, however, Ed's playing was fantastic.

    BTW, does anyone know how Ed got that "single coil" sounds playing Runaround on the Balance tour? He's always played his amber/quilt, humbucker EBMM, but he gets a single coil tone without the coil tap. Very interesting...
    It always sounded to me like he's using a dirty channel on one amp and a clean channel on another simultaneously. He also had that EBMM with a piezo that he used for CSLY, but I haven't seen video of him playing Runaround from that tour to see if he's using it or not.

  12. #12
    Take Your Whiskey Home
    Reckless Fable's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.30.02
    Age
    46
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    6,893
    Posts Per Day
    0.87
    Favorite VH Album

    All of them
    Favorite VH Song

    Girl Gone Bad, Hang 'em High
    Last Online

    Yesterday @ 05:35 PM
    Likes (Given)
    805
    Likes (Received)
    586
    Thanks (Given)
    1860
    Thanks (Received)
    2379

    Achievements:
    Master PraiserSupremely-LikedVHLinks Proud!50,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kowski View Post
    It always sounded to me like he's using a dirty channel on one amp and a clean channel on another simultaneously. He also had that EBMM with a piezo that he used for CSLY, but I haven't seen video of him playing Runaround from that tour to see if he's using it or not.
    Kowski:

    Check it--Here's Ed playing Runaround on the Balance tour:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lz6lblsVbwc

  13. #13
    Big Bad Bill
    Wolfgang_'99's Avatar
    Join Date
    10.29.06
    Age
    30
    Location
    Edmonton
    Posts
    1,019
    Posts Per Day
    0.16
    Favorite VH Album

    II, 1984, OU812, Fuck, Balance
    Favorite VH Song

    Umm...
    Last Online

    06.18.10 @ 11:55 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Thanks (Given)
    0
    Thanks (Received)
    9

    Default

    good vid. good boot.
    VAN HALEN FOR LIFE

    Bands I've seen:

    VAN HALEN X2
    Rose Hill Drv.
    Aerosmith X2
    Cheap Trick
    Motley Cru
    The Who
    BB King
    Velvet Revolver
    Three Days Grace
    Robert Plant
    The trews
    Heaven and Hell
    Megadeth
    Roger Waters/ Best concert EVER
    Ozzy
    Rob Zombie
    In This Moment

    Proud Threetard

    5150

  14. #14
    The Full Bug
    kowski's Avatar
    Join Date
    06.10.02
    Age
    38
    Location
    Peoria
    Posts
    1,939
    Posts Per Day
    0.25
    Last Online

    02.14.23 @ 07:55 PM
    Likes (Given)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    13
    Thanks (Given)
    2
    Thanks (Received)
    11

    Achievements:
    VHLinks Proud!15,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Reckless Fable View Post
    Kowski:

    Check it--Here's Ed playing Runaround on the Balance tour:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Lz6lblsVbwc
    Thanks! I was wrong on both guesses, it's just clean channel at the beginning. I guess it's the way he's got it set, probably has the Bright switch on. I noticed he kicks on an octaver for a few seconds, too.

  15. #15
    Take Your Whiskey Home
    Reckless Fable's Avatar
    Join Date
    03.30.02
    Age
    46
    Location
    San Francisco, CA
    Posts
    6,893
    Posts Per Day
    0.87
    Favorite VH Album

    All of them
    Favorite VH Song

    Girl Gone Bad, Hang 'em High
    Last Online

    Yesterday @ 05:35 PM
    Likes (Given)
    805
    Likes (Received)
    586
    Thanks (Given)
    1860
    Thanks (Received)
    2379

    Achievements:
    Master PraiserSupremely-LikedVHLinks Proud!50,000 VHL Life PointsThee King

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kowski View Post
    Thanks! I was wrong on both guesses, it's just clean channel at the beginning. I guess it's the way he's got it set, probably has the Bright switch on. I noticed he kicks on an octaver for a few seconds, too.
    I'm about 95% sure that it isn't a clear channel only. Maybe one channel clean, but one dirty with a lot of delay. I think the "bright" settings might be part of it, but something else is making the sound "pop" like a single coil.

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Kurt Cobain found dead this week in 1994 (Feel Free to Bash Courtney Love)
    By FanHalen in forum VH Fans Meeting Place (Music Only)
    Replies: 134
    Last Post: 03.20.09, 01:08 PM
  2. Eddie's Top 3 guitar playing albums
    By Wolfie3 in forum VH Songs/Albums/Videos
    Replies: 38
    Last Post: 02.04.08, 10:30 PM
  3. Wow, Remember 1996?
    By ZachenFoot in forum Main VH Discussion
    Replies: 34
    Last Post: 07.16.05, 12:22 PM
  4. 1996 MTV awards vid
    By bullitt in forum Main VH Discussion
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 03.14.05, 05:49 PM
  5. Miami-1996
    By aftershock5 in forum Main VH Discussion
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 08.18.02, 07:04 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •