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Van Halen - You Really Got Me - Guitar Tab

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Van Halen - You Really Got Me - Guitar Tab

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Van Halen - You Really Got Me guitar tab video
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Classic Rock

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Van Halen Hard Rock G major
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You Really Got Me

"You Really Got Me" by Van Halen is a high-energy cover of the 1964 Kinks classic, originally written by Ray Davies. Van Halen's version transformed the song with Eddie Van Halen's explosive guitar work, making it a landmark recording for electric guitarists. It remains one of the most studied rock guitar tracks, showcasing aggressive riffing, raw tone, and the kind of power-chord foundation that connects early rock to hard rock and heavy metal.

  • The original Kinks recording is widely credited with pioneering the use of power chords and deliberate distortion in rock guitar.
  • Eddie Van Halen's guitar tone on this track became a reference point for hard rock guitarists seeking a powerful, aggressive sound.
  • The song was originally released by the Kinks in 1964 as their third single, and it became a major British Invasion hit.
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.

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