Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds - Guitar Lesson

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Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds - Guitar Lesson

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Classic Rock

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5150 album cover
5150
1986 4:49
Van Halen Hard Rock 1986 E major
Capo Advisor 0 E major · Original key

Best of Both Worlds


"Best of Both Worlds" is a track by Van Halen, featured on their 2004 greatest hits compilation of the same name, released on Warner Bros. Records. The compilation spans the band's work with both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar, capturing two distinct eras of the group's sound. For electric guitarists, studying Van Halen material offers direct exposure to Eddie Van Halen's influential techniques, including his trademark two-handed tapping, aggressive picking, and expressive whammy bar use.

  • The 2004 compilation reuniting Roth and Hagar eras included three newly recorded tracks, making it more than a standard hits package.
  • At just under five minutes long, the track gives guitarists a full showcase of Van Halen's layered, dynamic song structure.
  • The compilation notably omits Gary Cherone's tenure, focusing solely on the Roth and Hagar vocal eras of the band.
Gibson ES-335
Guitar

Gibson ES-335

Eddie Van Halen pulled a Gibson PAF humbucker from a ES-335 to load his original Frankenstrat, giving him a low-output pickup that maintained clarity during lightning-fast tapping and legato runs despite heavy gain.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

Eddie's 1968 Marshall Plexi Super Lead, run through a variac at 90 volts, created his legendary 'brown sound' by pushing power tubes into sweet, spongy saturation at gig volumes, defining his harmonic sustain and responsiveness.

Soldano SLO-100
Amp

Soldano SLO-100

Eddie adopted the Soldano SLO-100 as a tonal alternative to Marshalls, delivering the high-headroom, articulate gain he needed for his finger-tapping technique while maintaining clarity in complex legato passages.

Peavey 5150
Amp

Peavey 5150

Eddie co-designed the Peavey 5150 to capture his signature tone in a modern platform, offering three channels from clean sparkle to crushing high-gain with EL34 power tubes for dynamic responsiveness across his entire playing vocabulary.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Eddie employed the Dunlop Cry Baby wah strategically on select solos, using it to add vocal-like expression and sweep to his lead lines without relying heavily on effect-driven tones.

MXR Phase 90
Pedal

MXR Phase 90

Eddie's MXR Phase 90 script-logo version created his signature swirling, vocal sweep on 'Eruption' and 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,' becoming one of rock's most identifiable effect tones through minimal, tasteful use.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)