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October 3, 2007

Van Halen Needs A Guitar Tech

Trivia time: 11 years ago today, Diamond Dave was fired from Van Halen after rejoining the band in June. Dude currently has a job -- and from many accounts the reunion tour's going well -- but after Eddie Van Halen flopped through an out-of-tune "Jump" in Greensboro last week, looks like the boys need to fire and hire a guitar tech.

Pretty hysterical. Speaking of which: Check out Dave's giant inflatable mic ride and lift ... preferably with the sound off (no wonder he has a job!). But was Eddie's monitor off? Did he figure he'd Sonic Youth it? Did he forget how it was supposed to sound?

Who knows, but maybe it's the stinking, screeching incident that's driven the finger-tapper into teaming with a ... flower shop? Ah, sweet sweet smells. All you have to do is order a floral arrangement in excess of $100, and you're entered to win some sweet swag. First prize is a signed guitar, which is cool enough (you can recreate your own out-of-tune solo at home!), but EVH "striped tennis shoes" valued at $5,000? Seems like Smashing Pumpkins pricing.

Posted at 10:18 AM in
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17 Comments

Yeah, that sounded awful. Still, I bet not too many people who were there really minded, even if they weren't drunk. Though I suspect some memories may be ruined once they see this.

Posted by: Hasief at 10/03/07 11:03 AM | Reply
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That whole intro part sounded remarkably like "Mister Roboto."

Posted by: imaginary dana at 10/03/07 11:48 AM | Reply
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Kinda funny that this happened.

In late August, Edward and his former long time guitar tech, Lonnie Totman had parted ways. It didn't sound like an amicable split according to his posting on a Van Halen message board:

http://classicvanhalen.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10911

--------

Guys,

Changes to rig are new head/cab/speakers, new guitar (still in proto phase), original whammy pedal, and new EVH dunlop wah (still in proto phase). Removed are the Demeter trem and Line 6 rack delay (never used anyway).

As for his flanger and phaser sound there is simply no secret. His settings are nothing unusual. Its all in his right hand. He hits very hard and that drives the pedals hard. Thats it.

Peter, not sure about Denver. Keep an eye on website. An early itinerary I have says Denver is possible early next year.

As for me, I'm done for good with EVH as of a couple days ago.

I have never spoken publicly about who EVH really is and what his behavior is really like. Plain and simple, I have absolutely nothing nice to say about the man. I could easily lay the truth down but I'll take the high road, like the very class act Michael Anthony and wish him best of luck with his tour and issues.

L(onnie).

--------

Posted by: Sir Terrence Tuppins at 10/03/07 12:34 PM | Reply
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wow 11 yrs!! i am gonna see them tonight in phila. emm $8 bbeers, $15 dollar parking and a bunch of uncle ricos(time machine request)! cant wait!!!!! i am bummed erbout MA and wolfie but the such is life. GO PHILLIES!!!!!

Posted by: a good dog at 10/03/07 12:36 PM | Reply
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RE: "That whole intro part sounded remarkably like "Mister Roboto.""

Imaginary Dana, that intro part is the title track to the album "1984"; a synth instrumental.

Posted by: Sir Terrence Tuppins at 10/03/07 12:37 PM | Reply
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re: needing a guitar tech:

I hear Michael Anthony's not doing anything these days.

Thank you.

Posted by: Christopher at 10/04/07 12:03 AM | Reply
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The PROBLEM is the GUITAR: EVH NEEDS TO USE THE ORIGINAL "CHARVEL" GUITAR FOR THE CORRECT
VIBRATIONAL RESONANCE...

Posted by: Frank N. Stein at 10/04/07 3:46 AM | Reply
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He had the wrong guitar for the song and he didnt realize, it was a half step down. Keep staying Sober Ed! lol

Posted by: Freddy at 10/04/07 11:44 AM | Reply
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Simple explanation here. Eddie's guitar was in drop D tuning and was not tuned back up to standard pitch for the song. He is playing it right, it is just tuned down a half a step.

Posted by: Texas Rob at 10/04/07 1:21 PM | Reply
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Don't blame Eddie. Its the keyboard tape that is a half step sharp. Even Wolfie is off from the keyboard. Jump is in C and the keyboard is playing c sharp. Doo Doo happens.

Posted by: Man Halen at 10/04/07 7:05 PM | Reply
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Here's what probably happened. The synth part isn't "on tape". It's an audio file recorded at 44K, residing on a computer ready for instant playback. Attached to that computer is an audio interface. Many of those interfaces have switches on the front so that you can slave your computer software to the clock speed of the interface. If you set the interface for 48K, the result will be a keyboard part playing faster than normal... about 1.5 semitones sharp. That's exactly what the keyboard pitch is. And, if you compare Eddie's guitar licks note for note with the original recording, you'll clearly hear that he's playing PERFECTLY IN TUNE. Mystery solved.

Posted by: DaleB at 10/05/07 4:20 AM | Reply
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plain and simple, van halen sucks. where is artificial hip when you need them?

Posted by: tim k at 10/07/07 5:15 PM | Reply
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Before 'Jump', 'Ain't talkin' 'bout love' is a little bit out of tune too

Posted by: elagpa at 10/09/07 1:06 AM | Reply
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Hey Lonnie,get A life! And take your high road with you...if you got something to say,say it...no need to be coy about it.He has more on you than you he!

Posted by: Steiner at 10/28/07 4:01 PM | Reply
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MA created a conflict of interest when formed the other half...what a pathetic move! Coatails all the way! What disrespect! If you read between the lines MA comes off sounding anything like a "class act".He is playing the nice guy but being nice is not a sentiment,It's an act! Sammy and MA have treated VH poorly in the press....AND THEY CANT HOLD A CANDLE TO EDDIE! SINCE WEHN DID THEY BECOME SPOKES PERSONS FOR A BAND THEY ARE NOT EVEN IN???

Posted by: Stein at 10/28/07 4:10 PM | Reply
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very interesting, but I don't agree with you
Idetrorce

Posted by: Idetrorce at 12/15/07 6:02 AM | Reply
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Van Halen reunioun tour .....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAAAAAAAA !! !!

Posted by: Randell at 03/03/08 4:08 PM | Reply
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