New Ed products being demo'd by Ed himself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83gz7GVMUQg

Still sounds like he has got it to me. Still a master of that fretboard and in complete control of the instrument.

Just needed his stripes back !

:thumb:

the Amp sounds great very Marshally...wish he would quit smoking and tidy himself up a bit....he can play though:toothless:

that was sad watching that...he's like an ol' pissed tramp..his playing was stale..boring..i worshipped this man in '78..seems like he'll do anything for a few ££ these days. :dunno:

regards,
jim.

that was sad watching that...he's like an ol' pissed tramp..his playing was stale..boring..i worshipped this man in '78..seems like he'll do anything for a few ££ these days. :dunno:

regards,
jim.

I thought that too...ol' pissed tramp....

Come on Ed get it together,,,I fear he is gonna and up another Keith Richards....aka ....waste case

I think it's sad now that everyone queues up to take a pop at the poor guy now. It's like it's cool to take an easy quick swipe at him.

:(

I think it's sad now that everyone queues up to take a pop at the poor guy now. It's like it's cool to take an easy quick swipe at him.

:(

I'm with you on this one Mondola.

People can take a shot at the guy - people have a right to express their opinions I guess.

But to me, Ed is gonna do what he wants to do. Regardless if we want him to "clean himself up" or "stop drinking and smoking" ect.

It just bothers me when people tell others how to run their lives. It is my opinion that no one has a right to tell someone how to live their life.

You may not like the way they live their life - but it's no business of yours.

Can you imagine the pressure this guys constantly under to be this larger than life Guitar God? So when he comes on stage and plays some licks and you don't like what he played, that now somehow makes him LESS of a guitar player?

Shit man - how can anyone be expected to constantly perform at %1000? Ed's a man, not a fucking robot!

:rock:

i absolutely love the guy's playing, and i'm glad to see he's beginning to dig back into his old sound. he looked a little nervous up there, which is odd - his playing wasn't as fluid. for 2 years, dlr era van halen was all i listened to, so i was very happy seeing him playing like his older self. i also gotta agree with mondola and p.j. - the dude's a man, man. we've all made mistakes; we're all gonna make em. cut him some slack and let the man live. hell, if Hendrix was still alive, we may be bashing him right now for doin drugs and all that. Hendrix, by the way, is my FAVORITE guitarist, so i wouldn't do this. look at all the other greats, too, who really fucked up their lives - Danny Gatton, Roy Buchanan, Stevie Ray Vaughan (cleaned up his act, though), Keith Richards, Slash, the list goes on. RIP to all the above mentioned who have died, and i hope that you do respect the guitarist for what he is, not how he lives his life.

I think it's sad now that everyone queues up to take a pop at the poor guy now. It's like it's cool to take an easy quick swipe at him.

:(I definitely hear what you are saying Mondy, and believe me...I mourn the death of the guy we all used to know.

However I agree with the comments about wishing he would clean himself up a bit. It just kind of cheapens him to look like he doesn't give a shit about himself by dressing like a 14 year old kid from Seattle, with stains on his clothes, particularly when he has shown up to represent a product he is endorsing with a company like Fender. In addition, I just don't think a cigarette needs to be in his hand at all times. But I guess that is like his adult security blanket.

Check out this clip...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2URek0zbVA&NR

The Fender guy cuts him off and tells him that he needs to start showing the products and quit flapping his gums (although he did it much nicer than that :p ). Ed just keeps rambling and repeating himself. I wouldn't say that Ed is drunk, but he appears to have had a few drinks to relax himself a bit. :dunno:

Expressing an opinion about how Ed is living his life is not the same as demanding that he change his life. It is a discussion of opinions and not an intervention. We are having a discussion here in a place which Ed probably isn't even aware of the existance of this Web site, so I don't think it is accurate to assume we are telling him how to live his life?

Regarding the pressure of being a GuitarGod, I look at Joe Satriani as an example, as he is nothing but pure professionalism and self-respect for what he does.

Hey KCAR:

I have always looked at the constant smoking of Ed as a sort of Rock And Roll type of rebellious behavior. Something I still seem to have! Rock and Roll IS rebellion from the social norms of everyday life. Thats WHY Rock and Roll is so cool to me.

:thumb:

Expressing an opinion about how Ed is living his life is not the same as demanding that he change his life. It is a discussion of opinions and not an intervention. We are having a discussion here in a place which Ed probably isn't even aware of the existance of this Web site, so I don't think it is accurate to assume we are telling him how to live his life?

Regarding the pressure of being a GuitarGod, I look at Joe Satriani as an example, as he is nothing but pure professionalism and self-respect for what he does.

Ed is Not Joe - Joe is Joe.

Oh and BTW - I agree with you. It isn't really demanding that Ed change I stand corrected. If you look at it like that then there really isn't anything wrong with WISHING he would do what you want him to. .

Hey KCAR:

I have always looked at the constant smoking of Ed as a sort of Rock And Roll type of rebellious behavior. Something I still seem to have! Rock and Roll IS rebellion from the social norms of everyday life. Thats WHY Rock and Roll is so cool to me.

:thumb:Well, I certainly agree with you about the rebelliousness of Rock'n'Roll, which is why I had such a problem at G101 with the whole PG-13 censorship issue...it was totally against the rock'n'roll ethos. I can certainly see that smoking is a part of that. I do not contest that, however, I think that my thoughts on Ed and smaoking in this instance come from two places: 1) Ed has had tongue cancer. Cutting back or quitting smoking altogether would be a smart thing to do for him. To continue smoking and to do it in just about every instance that you see of him is like him saying that he just doesn't give a shit about himself anymore. It reflects a lack of self-respect. And I have a hard time maintaining respect for someone who appears to not respect themself; 2) He is at a show where he is endorsing a product representing himself, as well as a very reputable company with a long, respectable reputation and history. It just seems to be the right thing to do to dress respectfully. And for the love of Gawd, can he not wait ten minutes to make his appearance and THEN go have a smoke?

Believe me PJ, when I say that my critical comments come much more from a place of wishing Ed would turn himself around and flourish again, and NOT from a place of just wanting to rip on and take cheap shots at an aging guitar hero. Furthermore, I make no criticisms in this thread about his playing...present or past. he is still one of the best musicians and guitarists I have ever known, and will continue that way (so long as he keeps the drinking under control).
:thumb:

I just enjoyed seeing him play. If the guy tripped out over the edge because of drink and cigarettes, I'd be upset and bitterly dissapointed but I wouldn't begin to tell him what I think he should act or dress like...Ed's dressed like a Seattle 14 year old since he stopped wearing Miami Vice jackets in the 80's! As a player, hearing what he has closeup is all good. :thumb:

well my comments were no way directed at ed to "sort out his life" or having a pop or dig at him...just purely an observation.

i felt gutted and embarrassed for him standing there, looking like a bag of shit, and his ramblings reminded me of jack lemon.

hes no spring chicken now and lets hope ed can get it together, his impact on the guitar world will never be equalled or surpassed.

i dont want to remember him like this though.

regards,
jim.

Not trying to start a shitstorm in the thread at all.

I opened up this video not expecting much. I assumed it was going to be all the sustainer type stuff through the Wolfgang like he has been doing on the recent tracks he did.

But no, it was Ed doing his stuff like he always used to do, but with an evolved kind of playing style. And I was pleasantly surprised by it all. He just seemed to still have it. Hands flying and taps all over the neck. Divebombs and harmonics and all the stuff I love in his playing.

Just felt like people came into the thread with the mindset that he is washed up before playing the clip and nothing was going to change that.

As for his dress sense, I don't think he's ever really been much of a fashion statement, so can't understand why he would change now ?

:headscratch:

Just think it's easy to pass him off as drunk and past it, that is all, where as he just seems the same goofy guy he always was...

:dunno:

Yep...only older.

Would have been cool if he'd jammed to a backing track or something. Rather than starting and stopping and starting and stopping every 10 seconds. Have read all your comments and personally couldn't care less how he lives his life, its his business how he treats himself. But I do agree with the sentiment that he should try and be respectable for at least half an hour while he represents a company which have bestowed upon him the honours that they have.

I think my expectations of Eddie are built on a rather fragile foundation. Made up of reading constant comments by fans who grew up with him and will forever look at him through the eyes of an adoring admirer. I didn't grow up with the guy and I never got into his playing much at all. Theres no doubting he changed rock guitar and could most definately play the thing. But he isn't what he was by my reckoning, the fluidity doesn't seem to be there in any of the recent videos you guys post up, the fluidity that I saw he had back in the "good old days" when he truly was a pretty killer player/musician... from what I can tell anyway.

It's embarassing to look at him now. I can't begin to imagine how it must feel to a long time fanatic. How can you guys cope to see it?.......mind you... I watched a handful of videos from this show infact and other artists sounded kinda crappy too. Even good old reliable Yngwie Canforeverwankinharmonicminorandphrygian Malmsteen didn't sound too hot either. So you go figure.

:lol:

And now I've got a young whippersnapper telling me I view the guy through rose-tinted glasses and that the guy's not what he used to be although he's no expert on what it was the guy used to be !!!

:lol:

This site rocks !!!

:yourock:

... I watched a handful of videos from this show infact and other artists sounded kinda crappy too. Even good old reliable Yngwie Canforeverwankinharmonicminorandphrygian Malmsteen didn't sound too hot either. So you go figure.
"Yngwie Canforeverwankinharmonicminorandphrygian Malmsteen" :lol:

Kudos to you, DB, for a bit of self-deprication for one of your own personal idols! :)

And now I've got a young whippersnapper telling me I view the guy through rose-tinted glasses and that the guy's not what he used to be although he's no expert on what it was the guy used to be !!!

It doesnt take an expert to look at a selection of early videos or listen to early material and then look/listen to a selection of more recent ones and then compare the man and the player side by side. And frankly mondy mate you do view him that way. Most of you do... or else you wouldn't have ended up in this community, indeed none of us would have, because it wouldn't have been started in his honour (vhfans.com ... right ?)

Hes just a bloke after all. All of them are. Lets not kid ourselves. They got the breaks that many don't. Wether it through luck or hard work doesn't matter hugely fundamentally. Theres alot of very very good guitar players and musicians out there who get no credit at all and who (unlike your beloved Edward) stay at the top of their craft until the bitter end for naught but love of the art (not the green stuff).

and yeah KC, Yngwie is just as monotonous and embarassing. I may enjoy to hear him rip it up and whatnot and his antics amuse me, and i have a soft spot for him overall. But the only guitar player I will probably never truly take jovial swipes at is Vai. Because the man is a testament to integrity, brilliance, modesty and kindness & respect towards others. There is not that many truly big name guitarists you can say all that about.

Eddie doesn't seem to give a flying fuck about himself or anything anymore. Hardly someone i'd want younger guitarists to idolize to be totally frank with you. Perhaps the fond memories of Eddie are best left with you old baystids. I'll just sit back from now on and let you embrace them :) :lol:

Sheesh, the youth of today just have no respect anymore !!!

:lol:

I hope you realise I was taking the piss. I never know with you when you go off on a self righteous one ! :)

But getting back to my original point, just looking at what recently happened to Jade Goody, we seem to be a nation that likes to see people fall, so I shouldn't really be that surprised at the reaction to the video.

:dunno:

I never know with you when you go off on a self righteous one ! :)

And thats the way I like it. People in general love a hero. But like the Green Goblin so rightly says, the only thing they love more is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying. :)

And thats the way I like it. People in general love a hero. But like the Green Goblin so rightly says, the only thing they love more is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying. :)

Did I just miss a post or something ? When did I mention your name and the word, "hero" in the same sentence...

That's twilight stuff material !!!

:lol:

Anyway, back to the Eddie worshipping / slating, before you ban me, you little bastard !!!

:lol:

Did I just miss a post or something ? When did I mention your name and the word, "hero" in the same sentence...

That's twilight stuff material !!!

:lol:

Anyway, back to the Eddie worshipping / slating, before you ban me, you little bastard !!!

:lol:

:wtf: you have even me confused there mate. What in gods name are you taking lol. People love to see a hero fall was my message, in relation to this threads premise. I wasn't calling Jade Goody a hero LOLOLOL (nor was I calling myself one, not sure if you misunderstood that).... I knew I never liked her for a reason lolol.

But aye. SILENCE or i'll ban you.... or infact as it happens I won't cause I don't have that power, or any power at all come to think of it lol. Im not El Jalapeno :). So say whatever you like. I trust that it's all in good fun especially coming from you.

Aww, I get you. A couple of the brain cells I got left must short circuited and suddenly I was in the Spiderman script !

Anyway, move along everyone. Go about your normal business...

:lol:

lol you dafty. Hey I tell ya what though. If someone offered me the ability to be able to play those tasty whammy tapping harmonic type tricks I wouldn't say no :).

Act now! Hire Ed to play at your house for 50,000 clams for a one hour session.

Supplies are limited so act now before Ed kills himself. .

:D

I thought he sounded much better there than he has done recently , and definately a much cleaner more classic ed tone than on the last tour.

as good as classic ed at his peak ? no way , but who gives a crap :P I like seeing videos like this after the 5-6 years of absolutely no word or appearences.

I just enjoyed seeing him play. If the guy tripped out over the edge because of drink and cigarettes, I'd be upset and bitterly dissapointed but I wouldn't begin to tell him what I think he should act or dress like...Ed's dressed like a Seattle 14 year old since he stopped wearing Miami Vice jackets in the 80's! As a player, hearing what he has closeup is all good. :thumb:

I enjoyed it, thanks for the video. Ed is just Ed and looked like he was having a good time and I thought he played some cool shit.

"Yngwie Canforeverwankinharmonicminorandphrygian Malmsteen" :lol:


That was good one Danny....man I'd much rather listen to or watch Ed play than Malmsteen any day.

That was good one Danny....man I'd much rather listen to or watch Ed play than Malmsteen any day.

Hmm... I wouldn't... but you knew that. I'd actually rather sit and watch Vai play for an hour than either Ed or Malmstick. But thats cause there'd be way more variety.

They are all great in their own way though. Which is probably the main point of things is it not.

.

They are all great in their own way though. Which is probably the main point of things is it not.

Mmm yeah, savvy that. But why is the RUM gone? and stop blowing holes in my ship! :lol:

Mmm yeah, savvy that. But why is the RUM gone? and stop blowing holes in my ship! :lol:

Heed this warning boy. Taking the piss out of the Captain will result in you walking the plank and thus finding your way all the way down to Davy Jones locker....... Savvy ?

Heed this warning boy. Taking the piss out of the Captain will result in you walking the plank and thus finding your way all the way down to Davy Jones locker....... Savvy ?

:thumb: That movie kicks ass.

I do wish also that he would clean himself up alittle. Especially since younger youth look up to him as an idol. More than Yngwie or Vai. I was never really into Van Halen.....but of course I respect what he has done for the guitar and I respect his abilities. He had a huge impact on the guitar world. I wouldnt call him a guitar god......Thats just my opinion though.

i wish i could meet the guy just to shake his hand, still, and say that he has influenced many a guitarist. he deserves it more than a lot of people.

even if he does hear that a lot.:)

brands like Ibanez or PRS make their product launch way exciting.

on a side note, sure was nice seeing EVH playing.

You probably won't find many bigger EVH fans than me. I love the guy dearly and know most of his songs and have studied his music and his style for nearly 20 years. When 5150 came out I was completely sold and that made me look back at his older stuff with Roth and I love that stuff too. My favorite EVH moment is his solo on the 5150 Tour Video. And his Solo spot for the actual song 5150 was badass too..in fact that whole damn video just kicks major ass.

Anypoo, my point is, I love Eddie's music. And I used to look up to him as a human being too. But now he has completely lost it. No one can watch those videos and tell me that Eddie "Still has it". That performance was 80% pure noise and rubbish, with a few sprinkles of the real Eddie in there somewhere.

I don't expect EVH to be innovative or perfect, but I do expect him to AT LEAST be able to do the tapping bit for Hot For Teacher without totally slopping it up.

But anyways, I am sure Eddie has had an impact in all our life’s in one way or another, but after that fiasco they called a tour last year and the porno tunes and now this (Among other things I've seen/heard recently) there is no doubt that Sir Edward Van Halen has lost his crown and is lowering himself, and his legacy, down into the bowels of the gutter. And given his insane lifestyle that is probably the next place he will be caught on camera.

If Ed wants to drink himself to death fine, just don't do it in public.:(

agree 100% with your post there T'n'G.
i bought THE album in 78' and coudnt believe what i heard. saw VH 3-4 times and was totally blown away by eds performances.

now i dont expect ed at 50+ to be ed at 20+...it doesnt happen [and i know :( ] but it would be nice to watch him play and chat without cringing.

porno backing, taping up guitars, and now fender, whats he gonna do next for a few $$'s?

regards,
jim.

Bravo Edward! The guitar industry owes you more than most can imagine:rock:

One thing I find interesting with Ed is during many past interviews he always down played the whole tapping thing...but he still does it an awful lot... like its his signature or what people might expect from him... yet for me his signature is the way he plays cyber electric blues. If you ever listen to his early bootlegs from Gazzari's and around 76-77 he wasn't into tapping really then but he had so much other tricks and ways of articulating himself. Id like to see that again. An older eddie playing the blues.

One thing I find interesting with Ed is during many past interviews he always down played the whole tapping thing...but he still does it an awful lot... like its his signature or what people might expect from him... yet for me his signature is the way he plays cyber electric blues. If you ever listen to his early bootlegs from Gazzari's and around 76-77 he wasn't into tapping really then but he had so much other tricks and ways of articulating himself. Id like to see that again. An older eddie playing the blues.

I think he still has that kind of hyper blues playing in him but it seems like the tapping and dive bomb noodling he has repeated over and over these last 10 years are more like nervous ticks than playing the guitar. That was a wicked kick in his playing back when he was a hungry genius playing Gazzari's and the Starwood etc.., still, to be honest, the playing in those two soft porn promos was kind of pure and beautiful. -That is the first time I've felt that about his playing since 1983.

I think it is a great move teaming up with Fender for this current project. Ed's Frankie tone owes more to the Stratocaster legacy than anything ells. That old humbucker is set up more like a hot single coil with the other coil simply acting as the hum canceler.:cool: