What's the "Brown" sound?

[tedzepplin]

What's the "Brown" Sound? I've heard this phrase mentioned a few times. I think it was in reference to van halen. Is the brown sound a certain amp?

[908SSP]

It comes from an explanation Eddie used to describe the sound he wanted and eventually got. My understanding of the story is that it was a wide but warm sound a mix of every color comes out brown. He is supposed to have said something about his brother first came up with the term. He came to call his sound a "brown sound" Hope that helps.

[Reeek]

It's also the phrase used to describe the tone achived by a hot bias. Sometimesa very hot bias.

[doctorx]

Recipe for brown sound:

1 80's guitar hero, preferably EVH brand
1 Vintage Marshall Super Lead
1 Crappy homeade guitar
Equal measured amounts of a Variac, male bovine excrement, internet fanboy rumour, and a copious amount of 80's big hair.

Mix with a desire to be someone you're not until desired color and sound is achieved.

Strangely, for every guitarist using the same exact recipe, it always comes out different.

[drano]

Maybe you mean "brown note"??
http://www.meyersound.com.au/brownnote.shtm

[brent]

Originally posted by 908SSP
It comes from an explanation Eddie used to describe the sound he wanted and eventually got. My understanding of the story is that it was a wide but warm sound a mix of every color comes out brown. He is supposed to have said something about his brother first came up with the term. He came to call his sound a "brown sound" Hope that helps.

it was initially the way Alex described his snare drum sound - like hitting a log or piece of wood; Ed stole it to describe his guitar sound which he considered warm and smooth, always struck me as a good description of a drum sound - bad descripton of a guitar sound especially a relatively brash, in your face sound

[QuickDraw]

i always asumed it was in a way refering to the variac he used, kinda like a brown-out

[dpeterson]

Originally posted by brent
it was initially the way Alex described his snare drum sound - like hitting a log or piece of wood; Ed stole it to describe his guitar sound which he considered warm and smooth, always struck me as a good description of a drum sound - bad descripton of a guitar sound especially a relatively brash, in your face sound

funny i never thought of his sound as warm and smooth.

dave