Jump
Van Halen, 1984, from 1984. Solo by Eddie Van Halen.
Jump is best known for its synth riff, but Eddie Van Halen's short guitar solo is a concentrated burst of his signature techniques. In a matter of seconds, he fires off tapped runs and whammy-bar effects before handing over to a keyboard solo. It is a remarkably economical showcase, fitting a lot of personality into a very small space. The tone is bright and saturated, contrasting with the smooth synths around it. The solo shows how Van Halen could make his guitar fit into a pop hit without losing his edge. Listen for the fast tapped passage in the middle of the solo, and for how quickly he shifts from guitar fireworks back into the song's keyboard-driven groove.
Jump by Van Halen is ranked #114 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Eddie Van Halen and the song was released in 1984. It appears on 5 lists, placing as high as #2 (ADCI).
In our lists
- The Road Trip 50 — #25
- The 25 Greatest Pop Guitar Solos — #7
- The 1980s — #22
- Tapping — #7
- Solos in Hit Singles — #25
- Best of Eddie Van Halen — #4
- The Best Van Halen Guitar Solos — #9
Sources
- ADCI: Essentials - I 10 assoli di chitarra elettrica più iconici — #2
- Nomad Diary: ギター歴17年の僕がおすすめする、ギターソロが最高にかっこいい17曲 — #3
- Tower Records Japan (TOWER RECORDS ONLINE): 【結果発表】「ギターソロがかっこいい曲」アンケートキャンペーン — #14
- Magazyn Gitarzysta: 100 solówek wszech czasów [100 solos of all time] — #45
- Thomann: 25 Iconic Guitar Solos
Who played the guitar solo on Jump?
Eddie Van Halen played the solo on Van Halen's Jump (1984).
What guitar was used on the Jump solo?
A kramer, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Jump rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#114 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 5 of them.