While we're patiently waiting for part 2 of the Satch episode, I thought I'd contribute a fun bit of geeking out for the whole community here: I was just listening to the Jennifer Batten episode where she's talking about Panama and mentions the fun harmonic choices Eddie makes on that song that are "not normally in rock".
(disclaimer: next bit is written as fingered in Eb tuning, so the notes sound a half step lower than I'm calling out)
She talks about the FM7b5, which I love but there's more that Jennifer and Dweezil didn't touch on that I think is one of the coolest things: the chromatic walkup during the breakdown (starting at "She's blinding, I'm flying"...).
You'd think it's just chromatic power chords but no, instead he plays E5, F, D/F#, G, E/Ab, A5, and then--my favorite--a chord that sounds like a Bb6b5 (because he hits the E on the bottom) but (I think) is actually an inverted Gm6/E before he hits the B5 (V chord). vi-V-i, what a way to get back to E! What made him think of that?
@Dweezil--maybe a fun bit of geekery to explore in a future bonus episode?
I totally agree…the walk-up part is amazing and not at all what it appears on casual listening. The tuning is also one of the most unusual in the catalog which was never repeated again:
I’m of the opinion that Ed used the Frankenstein to record the ‘1984’ album version of “Panama” and I have lately begun to theorize that the condition of that guitar at the time of the recording might have led to this unusual (even for Ed) tuning offset.
The FRT-5 Floyd Rose bridge on it at the time was not installed in the proper position and regardless of what neck he was using, the intonation would have been off and extremely difficult if not impossible to adjust with any great accuracy as a result of the placement of the bridge. I think this is part of why the guitar was retired shortly after the recording of ‘1984’. Tom Anderson repaired the bridge placement on the Frankenstein in 1985 which would have likely made the guitar work much better intonation wise, but by that time Eddie was well into the Kramer endorsement and the 5150 Kramer became his new main guitar.
At any rate, I think the VERY whacky tuning offset on what was likely the Frankenstein on the ‘1984’ recording of “Panama” might very well have been at least partially a result of this botched FRT-5 bridge installation.
Allen, thanks for this! I tried this tuning and it sounds way more in tune than when I was tuned to A440 and then dropping to Eb standard using the Fractal's virtual capo. :-)
And if you have a Peterson Strobo HD series strobe tuner, you can download all of the Van Halen tuning offsets that I’ve found and notated directly to your tuner with ease!
Hey Dweezil this has been such a passion project for you. A huge undertaking for just one person to do. In addition to editing your existing interviews, you liberally intersperse relevant (often rare) sound clips to illustrate the points being made. My question for you is do you need help logging time codes, or finding the relevant sound clips you need? I imagine just getting all the pieces in order before you even start editing must be a daunting task. You have a loyal community of friendly fans/friends here that might be able to help lessen the load if you ever needed it. Take care.
Thanks so much Mike! I'm sorry the wait times have been so excruciating! I'm at the very end of the process for Joe Satriani part 2 and I expect to be able to upload it by the weekend.
My computer has not been cooperating and keeps crashing every 20-30 minutes so that's been fun! You'll also hear it overheating on the episode, the fan is really loud in the background as I'm talking, also fun.
I was finally able to order a new laptop which will arrive in April. That is going to be a very good thing.
As for your question, I often don't know what clips will be needed until I start editing but I'm always open to seeing and hearing clips I may not have ever seen or heard so please do feel to post some links in the comments. Best, DZ
Looking forward to hearing what else is coming with the rest of the RWTD series… I’ll admit it’s been frustrating having to wait for such a time but it’s more the fact these interviews have been so glorious that we all selfishly just want more.. it’s been an amazing insight with your own anecdotes as well as the other great guitarists that have been graced by his presence..
I get it but I'm not giving up! You'll soon see why things have been taking longer than expected. There's more to the story than just a long editing process.
Dweezil, this series is simply the best! I have already gotten so much out of your thoughtful discussion and analysis, and I look forward to everything you do in the future. This was money well spent for me even if you never release another ep—although I know you will! All the best. -JP
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While we're patiently waiting for part 2 of the Satch episode, I thought I'd contribute a fun bit of geeking out for the whole community here: I was just listening to the Jennifer Batten episode where she's talking about Panama and mentions the fun harmonic choices Eddie makes on that song that are "not normally in rock".
(disclaimer: next bit is written as fingered in Eb tuning, so the notes sound a half step lower than I'm calling out)
She talks about the FM7b5, which I love but there's more that Jennifer and Dweezil didn't touch on that I think is one of the coolest things: the chromatic walkup during the breakdown (starting at "She's blinding, I'm flying"...).
You'd think it's just chromatic power chords but no, instead he plays E5, F, D/F#, G, E/Ab, A5, and then--my favorite--a chord that sounds like a Bb6b5 (because he hits the E on the bottom) but (I think) is actually an inverted Gm6/E before he hits the B5 (V chord). vi-V-i, what a way to get back to E! What made him think of that?
@Dweezil--maybe a fun bit of geekery to explore in a future bonus episode?
I totally agree…the walk-up part is amazing and not at all what it appears on casual listening. The tuning is also one of the most unusual in the catalog which was never repeated again:
1st string: Eb +35.7 cents
2nd string: Bb +30.9 cents
3rd string: F# +28.6 cents
4th string: C# +39.0 cents
5th string: Ab +30.0 cents
6th string: Eb +29.7 cents
I’m of the opinion that Ed used the Frankenstein to record the ‘1984’ album version of “Panama” and I have lately begun to theorize that the condition of that guitar at the time of the recording might have led to this unusual (even for Ed) tuning offset.
The FRT-5 Floyd Rose bridge on it at the time was not installed in the proper position and regardless of what neck he was using, the intonation would have been off and extremely difficult if not impossible to adjust with any great accuracy as a result of the placement of the bridge. I think this is part of why the guitar was retired shortly after the recording of ‘1984’. Tom Anderson repaired the bridge placement on the Frankenstein in 1985 which would have likely made the guitar work much better intonation wise, but by that time Eddie was well into the Kramer endorsement and the 5150 Kramer became his new main guitar.
At any rate, I think the VERY whacky tuning offset on what was likely the Frankenstein on the ‘1984’ recording of “Panama” might very well have been at least partially a result of this botched FRT-5 bridge installation.
Allen, thanks for this! I tried this tuning and it sounds way more in tune than when I was tuned to A440 and then dropping to Eb standard using the Fractal's virtual capo. :-)
Thanks Benjamin, I’m glad the offset was useful…I’ve found it makes a huge difference. For more information on Eddie’s use of tuning offsets, please check out my forum thread on the subject here: https://www.vhlinks.com/vbforums/threads/62695-Van-Halen-tunings-with-Peterson-strobe-tuner-reference
And if you have a Peterson Strobo HD series strobe tuner, you can download all of the Van Halen tuning offsets that I’ve found and notated directly to your tuner with ease!
Hey Dweezil this has been such a passion project for you. A huge undertaking for just one person to do. In addition to editing your existing interviews, you liberally intersperse relevant (often rare) sound clips to illustrate the points being made. My question for you is do you need help logging time codes, or finding the relevant sound clips you need? I imagine just getting all the pieces in order before you even start editing must be a daunting task. You have a loyal community of friendly fans/friends here that might be able to help lessen the load if you ever needed it. Take care.
Mike
Thanks so much Mike! I'm sorry the wait times have been so excruciating! I'm at the very end of the process for Joe Satriani part 2 and I expect to be able to upload it by the weekend.
My computer has not been cooperating and keeps crashing every 20-30 minutes so that's been fun! You'll also hear it overheating on the episode, the fan is really loud in the background as I'm talking, also fun.
I was finally able to order a new laptop which will arrive in April. That is going to be a very good thing.
As for your question, I often don't know what clips will be needed until I start editing but I'm always open to seeing and hearing clips I may not have ever seen or heard so please do feel to post some links in the comments. Best, DZ
Looking forward to hearing what else is coming with the rest of the RWTD series… I’ll admit it’s been frustrating having to wait for such a time but it’s more the fact these interviews have been so glorious that we all selfishly just want more.. it’s been an amazing insight with your own anecdotes as well as the other great guitarists that have been graced by his presence..
I officially give up....lol
Hi John,
I get it but I'm not giving up! You'll soon see why things have been taking longer than expected. There's more to the story than just a long editing process.
Dweezil, this series is simply the best! I have already gotten so much out of your thoughtful discussion and analysis, and I look forward to everything you do in the future. This was money well spent for me even if you never release another ep—although I know you will! All the best. -JP