I love Diver Down! Mark Tremonti also loves that record and we had a good chat about it! Working on that episode today. Glad you're enjoying the series.
Thanks very much, that is appreciated more than you know!
FYI, I have included links to TAB transcriptions of every lick I demonstrate in this clip in the “Description” section of this video. The licks from “Sitting On Top Of The World” are so fundamental to understanding Ed’s playing...when a friend of mine pointed this out to me it was like a giant Pandora’s Box had opened up. Things that I couldn’t comprehend became easy to understand in light of this.
Ed either used these licks verbatim or only slightly altered them by throwing in left hand “silent hammer-ons” to the mix...the “Panama” and “When It’s Love” solos are prime examples of this!
Here is a TAB for the second solo from “Outta Love Again” which I believe Ed recorded with the “Shark” version of the Destroyer. Incredibly, Eddie said in an interview at the time just before the album came out that the instrumental parts (particularly Al’s drum grooves) on this song were based on “What Is Hip?” by Tower of Power!
That Gibson scale length really lends itself to the extra-wide bends, wide vibrato and position shifts that occur in this solo. Of course it’s an example I demonstrate in my video lesson that illustrates Eddie’s use of Clapton’s “Sitting On Top Of The World” licks:
And here is a TAB of the solo from “Panama” (which I believe was most likely played on the original Frankenstein guitar with a Kramer strathead neck which was on that guitar around the time of the sessions) that demonstrates how Ed used these “Sitting On Top Of The World” licks from Clapton while inserting many left hand “hammer-ons from nowhere” (starting in bar 11 in my TAB) into the mix rather than playing them verbatim. Ed did this all over the place and the blinding speed and legato nature of this confounded me and many other transcribers for decades:
The solo from “When It’s Love” is perhaps Eddie’s most overt tribute to Clapton in my mind. Eddie has specifically mentioned the influence of Clapton on the tone and style of this solo in interviews at the time of ‘0U812’. I believe this was played on the same 1964 rosewood board sunburst strat that Eddie used on “Finish What Ya Started” using the neck pickup to get that Johnny Winter/Blackmore style neck pickup tone while echoing Clapton as well. This guitar’s vibrato system was almost certainly blocked so that the ultra wide bends do not cause the bridge to waver.
Again, the “Sitting On Top Of The World” licks are embellished with the left hand “hammer-ons from nowhere” as they were in the “Panama” solo:
Holy shit! Mammoth recordings?!?!?! These are now the oldest known recordings of Ed and Al! And dirty movies with no vocals, my heads spinning. Thank you dweez! This one was well worth the wait and gnashing of teeth. Thank you!
Wowwowow, really fantastic episode with Billy Corgan and you! It definitely hit me hard when Billy was talking about Fair Warning being the apotheosis of the initial potential of the band's talent. As a side note not EVH related but exemplary of this sense that Billy talked about I have a couple of anecdotes. I've heard this inflection point in lots of other bands as well. I remember as a kid listening to Aerosmith and they just kept deepening and cultivating their initial spark through the "Rocks" album. When Draw the Line came out I remember listening to the first track and "it" was there... but then "it" disappeared and I was confused. An echo of "it" appeared on the first track on the second side but then "it" was gone. The band went on for decades and occasionally I'd hear a song or a part of a song that still had the original juice in it, but as I explained it (poorly); "nah, that's not Aerosmith, it's Aerosmith playing Aerosmith." This points to that sort of self awareness that Corgan talks about where what was created unconsciously suddenly becomes conscious and disappears or changes radically.
A counter example of hearing the birth of an entire "sound/genre" I remember vividly from the alt/grunge era was the rise of Soundgarden. Their early albums were "ok" but didn't make me feel much until the song "Loud Love" off of the second studio album. I remember it hit me that "this is the sound of this band/genre,"and sure enough all the elements in it were further intensified, refined, and developed in every record they did until they broke up in 1997 as well as spawning 100's of copy bands using "that sound." It's weird how you can just hear something and go "that's it!"
To bring it back to EVH the stunning thing was just how fully developed and realized Eddie was so early in the game. We all know about how much the band played for years developing their chops, but even on the earliest recordings I've heard it was so obvious that what Eddie was doing and developing was just set up to go nuclear.
Another stellar episode, interesting insights from Billy Corgan being from a different 'world' as the other guests. I've always admired Corgan for adamantly wearing his guitar hero, hard rock / metal / prog love on his sleeve during the whole grunge/alt scene trying to distance themselves from it.
Awesome episode number 8 with Billy Corgan! Good lord, Al on "War Pigs"...Mr Ward would have been proud. Love all the episodes, thank you so much Dweezil. Can't begin to tell you how fortunate we are to have something like these episodes. I've been yearning for this for many years. Can't wait for #9!!!
Dweezil, thank you so very much for the effort you are putting into this project. Hearing the passion you and your gifted guests have for the legendary music of Van Halen, has allowed me to listen to it with new ears. These episodes make the soundtrack of my fresh and new again. Although I am not a musician, I just dig listen players I respect totally geek out and expose me to stuff I’d never noticed in the first 1000+ times that I listen to Edward, Alex Mike, David, Sammy, Gary and Wolf.
Thanks Thomas! The new Billy Corgan Episode is still uploading! The internet upload speed is crazy slow right now and it's driving me crazy! I hope you enjoy the new episode! Best, DZ
So I got the email for the free premier magazine subscription with the redemption code. I applied it at checkout and it says code does not exist. Anyone else having the same issue?
Just wanted to thank you for this. In 08 i traveled to the USA for 3 days just to see the VH reunion tour in Orlando (I was 20 then), because I knew it was something historic and special, even though I wasnt the greatest VH fan. Since that concert I became hooked with the band and, of course, Eddie, loved the Roth era, the Hagar era, even the Cherone era was great for me! LAoved the release of A different kind of Truth, and Im so grateful to have his music in my life, it brings me joy and I always nothing gets me dooown when I start listening to it.
Thank you again, for this magnificent journey you are giving us.
NUNO nails it. #6 = Best so far. LOVIN IT. Intelligent genuine humble connected EVH Fan. And, FUN to talk to about this stuff. Kinda like us ... only he can play better.
Hi Dweezil. In the first Fair Warning episode, you mention the cassette tape that Ed gave you back in 1982 that you recently found again, and you played a brief clip of a different solo section from "Hear About It Later" from that tape. That was a real treat to hear even just that little bit. I think all die-hard VH fans are hoping that one day these types of outtakes are released. I am not asking you to spill the beans here on what you have exactly on that tape, but I am just curious if there are quite a bit of outtakes/alternate takes that you have heard from Fair Warning, or if it is just a small amount of music that Ed put on that tape for you. I'm sure that is a treasure for you to have found that personal tape since Ed wrote on it himself "Tape For Dweezil".
I'm glad you're enjoying the series! The next episode has some audio treats in it too! The cassette doesn't have a whole lot of VH stuff on it. It has the alternate version of Hear About It Later and an instrumental version of One Foot Out The Door (without the solos)
My spectrum internet isn’t working and I’m in limbo with the Billy Corgan Episode until they come to fix it today! I have no way to upload files to my site at the moment. I will keep you all posted!
Thanks Dweezil - I'll wait as long as necessary for the episodes knowing you are producing them as you go. The quality of the end product has been amazing and worth both the wait but also every penny. The Paul Gilbert episode really stands out for me right now. Our collective love for EVH is an obvious part of the ethos - but the whole band is getting their long overdue dues here as well. All the best and keep going! Awesome stuff.
Thanks Robert! I appreciate your kind words. I'm still planning to get the Billy Corgan episode out today. I have some last-minute touches and a REALLY COOL SURPRISE for everyone that I have to insert!
You and Nuno touched on all parts of Fair Warning. I can barley play and don't even have the skill set. You both expressed exactly how I feel of all the songs noted. The sound-tone and Eddy's playing. Its still so fresh and inspiring! Great podcast and thank you!
Sure thing. It has always intended to be a weekly podcast. I had a computer hard drive malfunction a few weeks back that threw off the production schedule, then I got sick which threw it off even more. I've been playing catch up ever since and I apologize for the delays. I'm getting back into the swing of things and I'm planning to release the Billy Corgan Fair Warning Episode tomorrow. I hope to return to weekly episodes after that. I may end up needing to alter the schedule to become 2 weeks on and 1 week off in order to keep up with recording all the future episodes as well as keeping the post-production on track. It's a lot of work to make these episodes and it's just l'il ol me putting them together. I am trying my best to make the best content I can for all of you and to keep them flowing consistently but I appreciate everyone's patience when I end up needing more time to get things done. Best, DZ
how do you get the premier guitar subscription with the 5150 package ? Also any thoughts on the neural quad cortex ?Btw the podcasts are exceeding expectations, thanks again !
Haven't even got to the Fair Warning episodes yet, but I can't wait to hear what y'all think of my favorite solo, "When Push Comes To Shove"...to me, it featured everything about his playing at a time BEFORE something like Thriller or any other collabs. It was all there.
I only see 7 episodes in the 5150 bundle list (2 Vai, 1 Gilbert, 2 Saraceno, 2 Bettencourt) is that correct or are there more I should be seeing? Also - what needs to be done re: the subscription to PremierGuitar? Something I need to do? Is it supposed to be delivered via mail or is it electronic? Also not seeing any of the album reviews or the line6 presets. I'm logged in, but not sure how to navigate to these other items, please help. Thanks!
Welcome! Thanks for jumping into the podcast. I’m happy to help answer your questions. The episodes are all still in production. The next one to be released will be the Billy Corgan episode, a follow up Fair Warning conversation.
Premiiere guitar will be in touch with you via email about your subscription options shortly.
The episode on reverse engineering the EVH sound has not been recorded yet. The presets will be made at that time. I plan to film that episode as well.
Also, coming soon we will begin scheduling a few live listening parties.
Hope this info helps! Enjoy the podcast! Be well , DZ
I bought the All-Inclusive 5150 Bundle and it has been more than worth every penny! I'm absolutely loving every second of it and I can't wait for the Billy Corgan episode. Billy was the person that turned me on to VH when I was a kid in the mid 90s.
I'm really hoping for a good in depth episode of VH3 because it is time for VH fans to really reexamine it. To me, that is the ultimate EVH album. But that's just me.
Our site uses cookies to enhance your experience and understand how you use our site. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Privacy Policy
Great episode. LOVE the Mammoth stuff. Very Clapton-like. Never really heard EVH’s Clapton influence before.
Billy C just doesn’t seem as enamored with VH as the previous guitarists.
Excited to hear the next episode. Everyone shits on Diver Down, but there are 4 or 5 GREAT, not good, GREAT songs on that album.
Thank you for these. These episodes are a great band aid for the EVH wound we all still have from his death.
Hi Brad,
I love Diver Down! Mark Tremonti also loves that record and we had a good chat about it! Working on that episode today. Glad you're enjoying the series.
Here’s a lesson clip I did on some specific Clapton licks that show up verbatim or almost verbatim in nearly every one of Ed’s best leads:
Another nice demo! Great playing!
Thanks very much, that is appreciated more than you know!
FYI, I have included links to TAB transcriptions of every lick I demonstrate in this clip in the “Description” section of this video. The licks from “Sitting On Top Of The World” are so fundamental to understanding Ed’s playing...when a friend of mine pointed this out to me it was like a giant Pandora’s Box had opened up. Things that I couldn’t comprehend became easy to understand in light of this.
Ed either used these licks verbatim or only slightly altered them by throwing in left hand “silent hammer-ons” to the mix...the “Panama” and “When It’s Love” solos are prime examples of this!
Here is a TAB for the second solo from “Outta Love Again” which I believe Ed recorded with the “Shark” version of the Destroyer. Incredibly, Eddie said in an interview at the time just before the album came out that the instrumental parts (particularly Al’s drum grooves) on this song were based on “What Is Hip?” by Tower of Power!
That Gibson scale length really lends itself to the extra-wide bends, wide vibrato and position shifts that occur in this solo. Of course it’s an example I demonstrate in my video lesson that illustrates Eddie’s use of Clapton’s “Sitting On Top Of The World” licks:
And here is a TAB of the solo from “Panama” (which I believe was most likely played on the original Frankenstein guitar with a Kramer strathead neck which was on that guitar around the time of the sessions) that demonstrates how Ed used these “Sitting On Top Of The World” licks from Clapton while inserting many left hand “hammer-ons from nowhere” (starting in bar 11 in my TAB) into the mix rather than playing them verbatim. Ed did this all over the place and the blinding speed and legato nature of this confounded me and many other transcribers for decades:
The solo from “When It’s Love” is perhaps Eddie’s most overt tribute to Clapton in my mind. Eddie has specifically mentioned the influence of Clapton on the tone and style of this solo in interviews at the time of ‘0U812’. I believe this was played on the same 1964 rosewood board sunburst strat that Eddie used on “Finish What Ya Started” using the neck pickup to get that Johnny Winter/Blackmore style neck pickup tone while echoing Clapton as well. This guitar’s vibrato system was almost certainly blocked so that the ultra wide bends do not cause the bridge to waver.
Again, the “Sitting On Top Of The World” licks are embellished with the left hand “hammer-ons from nowhere” as they were in the “Panama” solo:
Holy shit! Mammoth recordings?!?!?! These are now the oldest known recordings of Ed and Al! And dirty movies with no vocals, my heads spinning. Thank you dweez! This one was well worth the wait and gnashing of teeth. Thank you!
Wowwowow, really fantastic episode with Billy Corgan and you! It definitely hit me hard when Billy was talking about Fair Warning being the apotheosis of the initial potential of the band's talent. As a side note not EVH related but exemplary of this sense that Billy talked about I have a couple of anecdotes. I've heard this inflection point in lots of other bands as well. I remember as a kid listening to Aerosmith and they just kept deepening and cultivating their initial spark through the "Rocks" album. When Draw the Line came out I remember listening to the first track and "it" was there... but then "it" disappeared and I was confused. An echo of "it" appeared on the first track on the second side but then "it" was gone. The band went on for decades and occasionally I'd hear a song or a part of a song that still had the original juice in it, but as I explained it (poorly); "nah, that's not Aerosmith, it's Aerosmith playing Aerosmith." This points to that sort of self awareness that Corgan talks about where what was created unconsciously suddenly becomes conscious and disappears or changes radically.
A counter example of hearing the birth of an entire "sound/genre" I remember vividly from the alt/grunge era was the rise of Soundgarden. Their early albums were "ok" but didn't make me feel much until the song "Loud Love" off of the second studio album. I remember it hit me that "this is the sound of this band/genre,"and sure enough all the elements in it were further intensified, refined, and developed in every record they did until they broke up in 1997 as well as spawning 100's of copy bands using "that sound." It's weird how you can just hear something and go "that's it!"
To bring it back to EVH the stunning thing was just how fully developed and realized Eddie was so early in the game. We all know about how much the band played for years developing their chops, but even on the earliest recordings I've heard it was so obvious that what Eddie was doing and developing was just set up to go nuclear.
Love the interview - not just the cake, but the delicious frosting too!
Glad you enjoyed it! Lots of goodies in there!
Another stellar episode, interesting insights from Billy Corgan being from a different 'world' as the other guests. I've always admired Corgan for adamantly wearing his guitar hero, hard rock / metal / prog love on his sleeve during the whole grunge/alt scene trying to distance themselves from it.
Awesome episode number 8 with Billy Corgan! Good lord, Al on "War Pigs"...Mr Ward would have been proud. Love all the episodes, thank you so much Dweezil. Can't begin to tell you how fortunate we are to have something like these episodes. I've been yearning for this for many years. Can't wait for #9!!!
Dweezil, thank you so very much for the effort you are putting into this project. Hearing the passion you and your gifted guests have for the legendary music of Van Halen, has allowed me to listen to it with new ears. These episodes make the soundtrack of my fresh and new again. Although I am not a musician, I just dig listen players I respect totally geek out and expose me to stuff I’d never noticed in the first 1000+ times that I listen to Edward, Alex Mike, David, Sammy, Gary and Wolf.
Thanks Thomas! The new Billy Corgan Episode is still uploading! The internet upload speed is crazy slow right now and it's driving me crazy! I hope you enjoy the new episode! Best, DZ
So I got the email for the free premier magazine subscription with the redemption code. I applied it at checkout and it says code does not exist. Anyone else having the same issue?
Hi Sean, I had that experience but then I signed in to this site and Premier Guitar then back to my email with the code....then it worked
Thanks Ravi, it finally worked when I went to the store from the email directly.
Hi Dweezil! Im Aníbal from Perú!
Just wanted to thank you for this. In 08 i traveled to the USA for 3 days just to see the VH reunion tour in Orlando (I was 20 then), because I knew it was something historic and special, even though I wasnt the greatest VH fan. Since that concert I became hooked with the band and, of course, Eddie, loved the Roth era, the Hagar era, even the Cherone era was great for me! LAoved the release of A different kind of Truth, and Im so grateful to have his music in my life, it brings me joy and I always nothing gets me dooown when I start listening to it.
Thank you again, for this magnificent journey you are giving us.
NUNO nails it. #6 = Best so far. LOVIN IT. Intelligent genuine humble connected EVH Fan. And, FUN to talk to about this stuff. Kinda like us ... only he can play better.
THANK YOU, Dweezil + Nuno. And, The Mighty =vH=
Hi Dweezil. In the first Fair Warning episode, you mention the cassette tape that Ed gave you back in 1982 that you recently found again, and you played a brief clip of a different solo section from "Hear About It Later" from that tape. That was a real treat to hear even just that little bit. I think all die-hard VH fans are hoping that one day these types of outtakes are released. I am not asking you to spill the beans here on what you have exactly on that tape, but I am just curious if there are quite a bit of outtakes/alternate takes that you have heard from Fair Warning, or if it is just a small amount of music that Ed put on that tape for you. I'm sure that is a treasure for you to have found that personal tape since Ed wrote on it himself "Tape For Dweezil".
Sincerely,
Keith
Hi Keith,
I'm glad you're enjoying the series! The next episode has some audio treats in it too! The cassette doesn't have a whole lot of VH stuff on it. It has the alternate version of Hear About It Later and an instrumental version of One Foot Out The Door (without the solos)
Both are great to hear of course!
Best, DZ
Hope that Corgan episode drops tonight as I’m going through serious withdrawals. Appreciate all your hard work, Dweezil.
Thanks Steven! I'm getting closer to the finish line. I've been working like crazy to get it done for everyone! I'll be up late tonight - again!
My spectrum internet isn’t working and I’m in limbo with the Billy Corgan Episode until they come to fix it today! I have no way to upload files to my site at the moment. I will keep you all posted!
Thanks Dweezil - I'll wait as long as necessary for the episodes knowing you are producing them as you go. The quality of the end product has been amazing and worth both the wait but also every penny. The Paul Gilbert episode really stands out for me right now. Our collective love for EVH is an obvious part of the ethos - but the whole band is getting their long overdue dues here as well. All the best and keep going! Awesome stuff.
Thanks Robert! I appreciate your kind words. I'm still planning to get the Billy Corgan episode out today. I have some last-minute touches and a REALLY COOL SURPRISE for everyone that I have to insert!
You and Nuno touched on all parts of Fair Warning. I can barley play and don't even have the skill set. You both expressed exactly how I feel of all the songs noted. The sound-tone and Eddy's playing. Its still so fresh and inspiring! Great podcast and thank you!
Thanks Treavor! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Can you clarify the release schedule of episodes. Was I wrong in remembering it was supposed to be weekly?
Hi Robert,
Sure thing. It has always intended to be a weekly podcast. I had a computer hard drive malfunction a few weeks back that threw off the production schedule, then I got sick which threw it off even more. I've been playing catch up ever since and I apologize for the delays. I'm getting back into the swing of things and I'm planning to release the Billy Corgan Fair Warning Episode tomorrow. I hope to return to weekly episodes after that. I may end up needing to alter the schedule to become 2 weeks on and 1 week off in order to keep up with recording all the future episodes as well as keeping the post-production on track. It's a lot of work to make these episodes and it's just l'il ol me putting them together. I am trying my best to make the best content I can for all of you and to keep them flowing consistently but I appreciate everyone's patience when I end up needing more time to get things done. Best, DZ
Good afternoon
how do you get the premier guitar subscription with the 5150 package ? Also any thoughts on the neural quad cortex ?Btw the podcasts are exceeding expectations, thanks again !
I haven’t received any info about the premier guitar subscription and am curious too.
Hi Guys, this may be a rather daft question, but if yer don’t ask yer don’t know. I purchased the As - $51.50 Order #281663
How do I access the Super exclusive "Reverse Engineering the Brown Sound" episode with guitar tone tutorials
Custom VH guitar tone presets for Axe-Fx, Kemper, and Helix designed by Dweezil and other all-star guitarists
I own the Helix Floor & Helix Native ( not an Axe-Fx or Kemper unfortunately ) :(
Ravi,
Dweezil answers your question in a few comments below. Under Tom T's comment.
John
Haven't even got to the Fair Warning episodes yet, but I can't wait to hear what y'all think of my favorite solo, "When Push Comes To Shove"...to me, it featured everything about his playing at a time BEFORE something like Thriller or any other collabs. It was all there.
Hi Kevin,
We go pretty deep into "Push Comes To Shove." That's my favorite EVH solo of all time!
I only see 7 episodes in the 5150 bundle list (2 Vai, 1 Gilbert, 2 Saraceno, 2 Bettencourt) is that correct or are there more I should be seeing? Also - what needs to be done re: the subscription to PremierGuitar? Something I need to do? Is it supposed to be delivered via mail or is it electronic? Also not seeing any of the album reviews or the line6 presets. I'm logged in, but not sure how to navigate to these other items, please help. Thanks!
Hi Tom,
Welcome! Thanks for jumping into the podcast. I’m happy to help answer your questions. The episodes are all still in production. The next one to be released will be the Billy Corgan episode, a follow up Fair Warning conversation.
Premiiere guitar will be in touch with you via email about your subscription options shortly.
The episode on reverse engineering the EVH sound has not been recorded yet. The presets will be made at that time. I plan to film that episode as well.
Also, coming soon we will begin scheduling a few live listening parties.
Hope this info helps! Enjoy the podcast! Be well , DZ
I bought the All-Inclusive 5150 Bundle and it has been more than worth every penny! I'm absolutely loving every second of it and I can't wait for the Billy Corgan episode. Billy was the person that turned me on to VH when I was a kid in the mid 90s.
I'm really hoping for a good in depth episode of VH3 because it is time for VH fans to really reexamine it. To me, that is the ultimate EVH album. But that's just me.