China Town
Van Halen, 2012. Solo by Eddie Van Halen.
China Town opens with a blistering tapped intro that shows Eddie Van Halen still pushing his technique late in his career. Wolfgang Van Halen's bass joins the tapping, creating an interlocking figure that sets up the song's fast, driving riff. The solo is packed with tapping, whammy effects and fast runs, all delivered with the aggressive attack that defined Van Halen's early work. The tone is thick and saturated, fitting the song's intensity. The song reminded fans that Eddie's creativity remained sharp. Listen for the opening tapped passage, where guitar and bass play together in a tight, fast pattern, and for the way the solo returns to that idea.
China Town by Van Halen is featured in our lists. The solo is played by Eddie Van Halen and the song was released in 2012.
In our lists
- 2010 to Now — #9
- Best of the 21st Century — #13
- Tapping — #15
- Best of Eddie Van Halen — #6
Sources
Who played the guitar solo on China Town?
Eddie Van Halen played the solo on Van Halen's China Town (2012).
What guitar was used on the China Town solo?
An evh wolfgang, according to widely reported accounts.