Song
Panama
Van Halen · 1984 · 1984
Preview and cover from Apple Music
- Amp
- Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-Watt Plexi
- Guitar
- Kramer 5150 / Frankenstrat
- Tuning
- Eb standard
On the record, Eddie Van Halen played a Kramer 5150 / Frankenstrat through a Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-Watt Plexi. It's in Eb standard.
The original rig
Eddie Van Halen achieved the rhythm and solo tone on Panama using a high-output bridge humbucker plugged into an MXR Phase 90 and a cranked Marshall Super Lead powered via a Variac, polished in the studio with stereo pitch-detuning and plate reverb.
Eddie Van Halen · Rhythm and solo
Settings Commonly cited
- Volume
- 10
- Pickup
- Bridge humbucker
Equipped with a custom high-output PAF-style bridge humbucker.
MXR Phase 90
EstimatedSettings Estimated
- Speed
- 9:00
Engaged for subtle sweeping movement during verse riffs.
Settings Estimated
- Presence
- 10
- Bass
- 10
- Middle
- 10
- Treble
- 10
- Volume I
- 10
- Volume II
- 0
Powered down with a Variac and run wide open in 5150 Studios.
Loaded with Celestion Greenback speakers.
Settings Commonly cited
- Detune
- Micro-pitch stereo spread (+/- 9 cents)
Studio rack effect used to create stereo width and modulation depth.
Studio Plate Reverb
EstimatedSettings Estimated
- Type
- Plate, medium decay
Added in the mix by engineer Don Landee along with room ambience.
- 1.rolandcorp.com.au · rolandcorp.com.au · maker
Have the real gear, or another modeller? Start from these. Studio knob positions are rarely written down; these are a starting point.
Researched Oct 2026 · 1 source · How ToneSheet researches a song
Tuning
The record is in Eb standard, low to high: Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb. Tune your guitar the same way, or tell ToneSheet how it's tuned and your device shifts the tone to match.
Questions about the Panama guitar tone
What amp did Eddie Van Halen use on Panama?
Eddie Van Halen played through a Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-Watt Plexi (an estimate), with Presence 10, Bass 10, Middle 10, Treble 10, Volume I 10, Volume II 0 (settings estimated).
What guitar did Eddie Van Halen play on Panama?
Eddie Van Halen played a Kramer 5150 / Frankenstrat (commonly cited), with Pickup Bridge humbucker, Volume 10 (settings commonly cited).
What effects did Eddie Van Halen use on Panama?
A MXR Phase 90 (an estimate).
What tuning is Panama in?
Eb standard: low to high, Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb.
How do I get the Panama guitar tone on an amp modeller?
Start from your modeller's model of the Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100-Watt Plexi, set like the original (Presence 10, Bass 10, Middle 10, Treble 10), with a guitar like a Kramer 5150 / Frankenstrat, tuned to Eb standard. Ready presets, with every block's settings: HOTONE Pulze Mini (1).
Presets for Panama
Tones players shared for their amp modellers, each with every setting, block by block.
HOTONE Pulze Mini1 version
All Pulze Mini presetsMake it for your guitar
Name your guitar and how it's tuned, and ToneSheet makes the tone for it: the pickup and knob settings, and every block on your device.
Different guitar or tuning? Make your own version (1–2 minutes)Updated