Edward Van Halen tone... What shoes are you wearing?

[TrueTone500]

I've heard one of the 'secrets' to Ed's signature was due to the fact that he wore Converse Allstars in the studio. Something to do with static shielding... I find I get excellent gain tone wearing New Balance brand, and the best clean tone wearing Birkenstock sandals. I haven't seen Converse Allstars for sale in over 20 years, and I'm also somewhat dubious to the claim.

What are you guys wearing, and is there any validity to the claim?

 

[barnesjd]

Converse All Star Chucks have been my go-to shoe for YEARS. And all this time I thought it was my expensive gear that made my tone good.

 

[Badronald]

Tone, or lack of tone, is in your fingers.

 

[Heritage Softail]

For a woody organic tone, it is all Merrill hiking shoes.

For punk it is Doc Martin all the way bro....

For Ratt or Winger, I'm feeling the old white high top Nike with black swoosh... Recognize...

 

[Bob Savage]

I've heard one of the 'secrets' to Ed's signature was due to the fact that he wore Converse Allstars in the studio. Something to do with static shielding... I find I get excellent gain tone wearing New Balance brand, and the best clean tone wearing Birkenstock sandals. I haven't seen Converse Allstars for sale in over 20 years, and I'm also somewhat dubious to the claim.

What are you guys wearing, and is there any validity to the claim?

I prefer the earlier Capezio dance shoes tone.

The claim is totally valid. Shoes make a bigger difference in tone than speakers and pickups combined.

 

[barnesjd]

Tone, or lack of tone, is in your fingers.

I agree that one's fingers is the greatest factor. But it isn't the only factor. Too many counterpoints exist: Dimebag Darrell and Randy Rhodes for instance.

 

[Kelly]

I've heard one of the 'secrets' to Ed's signature was due to the fact that he wore Converse Allstars in the studio. Something to do with static shielding... I find I get excellent gain tone wearing New Balance brand, and the best clean tone wearing Birkenstock sandals. I haven't seen Converse Allstars for sale in over 20 years, and I'm also somewhat dubious to the claim.

What are you guys wearing, and is there any validity to the claim?

They werent stock Converses, they were modded by some old guy from Chile.

 

[EVHpickdust]

I've got just socks on, plus I have to poop.

 

[Coopster]

Everyone knows Vans get much better 80's tones than Chuck's...

 

[glip22]

This thread delivered.

 

[university81]

i find socks seem to make the most difference, vans brings out the EJ for some reason

 

[BYTOR]

White Reebok hightops + skintight jeans definitely helps to give that Mustaine/Marty Friedman tone

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I've heard one of the 'secrets' to Ed's signature was due to the fact that he wore Converse Allstars in the studio. Something to do with static shielding... I find I get excellent gain tone wearing New Balance brand, and the best clean tone wearing Birkenstock sandals. I haven't seen Converse Allstars for sale in over 20 years, and I'm also somewhat dubious to the claim.

What are you guys wearing, and is there any validity to the claim?

I prefer the earlier Capezio dance shoes tone.

The claim is totally valid. Shoes make a bigger difference in tone than speakers and pickups combined.

Capezio was Randy's choice

I've been rocking my EVH converse for a few years, the same few years my playing has exponentially gotten better... Coincidence??

 

[Aristocat]

Asics.

That's the secret.

 

[Metlupass2]

You should get quite the faggy tone if you're wearing any form of male sandals while playing guitar.

 

[IHateRap]

I find that it doesn't really matter the brand of footwear. What's important is that you wear only one shoe to facilitate voltage drop.

 

[the rossness]

I get great tone in the nude. I dunno what ed wasn't smoking...

 

[mjtripper]

it wasn't the shoes but the socks, he wore the friedman of socks

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I get great tone in the nude. I dunno what ed wasn't smoking...

No wonder Frusciante sounded so good

 

[Mailman1971]

I play barefoot. Like to be in touch with mother earth.