Explain Wolfgang's Van Halen's Live Rig

[DJS]

Just left the stage at sound check here in Chicago, and you can bet those cabs are for real! We'll be doing a whole rig rundown in an upcoming issue of BASS PLAYER, but his clean tone comes from two Fender Super Bassman heads -- one to the 8x10s, one to the 2x15s, and his dirty signal comes from 4x12 + 2x12 stacks of EVH 5150 IIIs. Those are dummy heads on stage, but the cabs are all live, and one of each is mic'd and blended with a DI for FOH. Sounds truly gnarly. The EVHs are over-the-top distortion, and there's a huge difference between the mid-heavy 8x10s and the beefy 2x15s. No distortion pedals -- all amp overdrive. Thanks to Wolf and his tech, Jim, for the tour!

Thanks for the update. That's an outrageous bass rig for sure. I thought he sounded great, me and the other 5 members of the audience who listened for the bass occasionally.