Van Halen - On Fire - Guitar Lesson

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Van Halen - On Fire - Guitar Lesson

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Van Halen Hard Rock E minor
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On Fire


"On Fire" is a track by Van Halen from their eleventh studio album, Van Halen III, released on March 17, 1998, via Warner Bros. Records. The album marked the only studio appearance of vocalist Gary Cherone and was produced by Mike Post alongside Eddie Van Halen. For electric guitarists, the track offers a direct look at Eddie Van Halen's playing style during a transitional and often overlooked chapter of the band's catalog, making it a worthwhile study in his tone and technique outside the classic lineup.

  • Van Halen III was Eddie Van Halen's most hands-on production effort, giving the guitar work a distinct, self-directed character throughout.
  • Eddie Van Halen handled most of the bass parts on the album himself, showcasing his versatility beyond lead guitar.
  • Van Halen III was the last studio album to feature longtime bassist Michael Anthony, who only appears on three of its tracks.
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.