Eddie Van Halen used a variety of pickups throughout his career, but the most famous pickup that he used was the Seymour Duncan 59HB. This pickup is known for its warm and full sound, with good clarity and definition. It is also known for its high output, which makes it ideal for high gain and distorted tones.
Van Halen first started using the Seymour Duncan 59HB in the early 1980s, when he began using his famous “Frankenstrat” guitar. The Frankenstrat was a custom guitar that Van Halen built himself, using a Fender Stratocaster body and a Charvel neck. He also installed a Seymour Duncan 59HB in the bridge position of the Frankenstrat.
Van Halen continued to use the Seymour Duncan 59HB throughout his career, and it became one of his signature sounds. He used it to record some of his most famous songs, including “Eruption,” “Panama,” and “Jump.”
In addition to the Seymour Duncan 59HB, Van Halen also used other pickups throughout his career, including:
- Gibson PAF: Van Halen used a Gibson PAF in the bridge position of his Frankenstrat in the early 1970s.
- DiMarzio Fat Strat: Van Halen used a DiMarzio Fat Strat in the neck position of his Frankenstrat in the early 1980s.
- EVH Wolfgang humbucker: Van Halen used an EVH Wolfgang humbucker in the bridge position of his EVH Wolfgang guitar, which he introduced in 2007.
However, the Seymour Duncan 59HB is the pickup that Van Halen is most associated with, and it is the pickup that he used to create some of his most iconic sounds.
If you are a fan of Eddie Van Halen and you want to achieve his signature sound, then using a Seymour Duncan 59HB is a great place to start. However, it is important to note that your guitar and playing style will also play a role in your sound.
