Is the Wolfgang worth owning to a non EVH superfan?

[TheGreatGreen]

I think the Wolfgang is enough of its own guitar that seeing it isn't going to make anybody think "wow that player loves Van Halen. Hey man play Eruption!" or anything like that. That said, they're kind of love em or hate em guitars. They're made well for their price point and the American made EVH pickups are awesome, but the size of the body is something you'll notice, the neck has a unique profile, etc.

It's one of those guitars you can look at pictures of all day long but you won't really know if it works for you until you get one in your hands and play it for a while.

 

[Bxlxaxkxe]

Have a peavey Wolfgang special that is my favorite live guitar I have. Sounds killer, amazing neck, lightweight - checks all the boxes.

 

[napalmdeath]

Im not a huge Van Halen fan much anymore. I’ve owned a special and a standard peavey each at two at different times and sold both. The dive only is a deal breaker anymore and the archtop was dead wood dark sounding. I’ve had better luck with Les Pauls and mut superstrats on playability and tone. The newer fender ones have tiny frets which I hate too so these days I don’t play them anymore.

I don't like pickups that can't be adjusted, dive only, and the fact that most say you have to shim the necks to get low action are enough to lose my interest. I don't like how "limited" you are. I don't like "here's how they are and you're going to like it" approach.

 

[CrystalSky]

IMO, buy the guitar for the guitar. I held off buying any signature gear because I’m not the same player and didn’t want the comparison. Move on a number of years and now I don’t care. If the guitar or gear suits your playing style - get it!

I now have a Wolfgang special and an EVH head. Both get me where I want to go but I’m no EVH.

It is very easy. You want those specs - you get it no matter the name behind it.

 

[rsm]

If it has the specs you want/like I'd say go for it. I wouldn't worry about other people's impressions. If I like a sig guitar or one associated with another player, I buy it. I've had a few: Lennon 1965 Epi Casino, Fender Marr Jag, and still have a BC Rich Stealth Schuldiner, EBMM Majesty and Kaizen, and my fav hardtail Ibanez PS (I own a few).

 

[glpg80]

I don't like pickups that can't be adjusted, dive only, and the fact that most say you have to shim the necks to get low action are enough to lose my interest. I don't like how "limited" you are. I don't like "here's how they are and you're going to like it" approach.

I forgot about the shimming. I had the neck off of my standard to get the trem to sit correctly and the neck off of my special for the reason you state of getting the action correct. I don’t mind the body mounted pickups as I used to use folded cardboard to space them up. They were great guitars for the money back in the day but I’m not interested in them for today’s going prices. They’re collectors pieces and fit a specific type of player. I just prefer my jumbo fret LP’s.

 

[Shask]

I have a new MIJ Wolfgang. It's a very nice guitar with a lot of quirks. The neck is entirely too narrow/cramped. I don't know if Eddie had small hands or what, but it takes an adjustment. The vintage frets I've learned to be ok with, but definitely feel out of place on a shredder guitar. The body feels huge but maybe it's the tiny headstock giving that illusion. The Fish Eye strap rings are retarded and dig in your thigh when sitting. You can't use the straps either because the clasps bang about the body and scratch the finish. All that said, I love the guitar!

View attachment 358004

The narrow neck is the best feature!

 

[Shask]

I think the Wolfgang is enough of its own guitar that seeing it isn't going to make anybody think "wow that player loves Van Halen. Hey man play Eruption!" or anything like that. That said, they're kind of love em or hate em guitars. They're made well for their price point and the American made EVH pickups are awesome, but the size of the body is something you'll notice, the neck has a unique profile, etc.

It's one of those guitars you can look at pictures of all day long but you won't really know if it works for you until you get one in your hands and play it for a while.

Not unless you buy the red striped one, lol

 

[Shask]

I forgot about the shimming. I had the neck off of my standard to get the trem to sit correctly and the neck off of my special for the reason you state of getting the action correct. I don’t mind the body mounted pickups as I used to use folded cardboard to space them up. They were great guitars for the money back in the day but I’m not interested in them for today’s going prices. They’re collectors pieces and fit a specific type of player. I just prefer my jumbo fret LP’s.

I never shimmed mine, but I did trem stop the trems because they don't sit 100% on the body.

I also adjusted the pickups on mine. You can raise and lower them enough.

 

[JohnnyGtar]

The only ones I like are the ones with thick maple caps, and I like those a lot. Their solid basswood guitars don't do it for me.

 

[glpg80]

The only ones I like are the ones with thick maple caps, and I like those a lot. Their solid basswood guitars don't do it for me.

My solid basswood special sounded better than my maple cap standard. The only one I have my eye out for again is a rosewood fretboard peavey standard. My instructor played one and I was never allowed to really play it for fear of damaging it. Always wanted one of my own.

 

[SonVolt]

The newer Japanese models are the best IMO. The USA line is grossly overpriced.

 

[SQUAREHEAD]

The newer Japanese models are the best IMO. The USA line is grossly overpriced.

Yep, Early Japanese ones are the best bang for the buck, in my opinion.
Gotta raise the pickups though.

 

[GreatRedDragon]

I don't like pickups that can't be adjusted, dive only, and the fact that most say you have to shim the necks to get low action are enough to lose my interest. I don't like how "limited" you are. I don't like "here's how they are and you're going to like it" approach.

I never thought about it before but I think this might be why I like it so much. So many of my guitars are constantly getting pulled apart, messed with, etc. My Wolfgang is like an Apple product: it pretty much is what it is.

That being said, I am planning a slight control tweak.

The stock setup is actually the baseline I use for the rest of my guitars. I was pretty lucky.

 

[7 Stringer]

I own 3 USA Standards from the first year, they are just amazing, my favorite guitars for the past 10+ years. Play them constantly.

I also own 6 USA Peavey WG and 2 EBMM EVH.

They all are awesome.

Oh and I'm a VH nut, but have them In drop C, Drop B and play metal with them.

Killer guitars

 

[Liam]

I’ve been traveling and away from home the last two weeks and I certainly miss my ‘18 Special in ivory with ebony board in my hands. I had some downtime, in fact so much so that I did some online shopping.

Waiting for me at home tomorrow is another Special. A 2014 in flame maple burnt cherry burst. I’ve got a german Floyd and nut i’ll be dropping in this weekend.

 

[KentC]

Been a busy week and just getting around to catching up on all this. Thanks for the replies and opinions!

I started this thread for opinions on these because I have NEVER seen one in person to play in all the years these have been out. And oddly enough I stopped in guitar center for some picks a couple days after posting this, and they had two new ones in stock!

Not exactly that I was expecting. I guess part of me was thinking it may be a combination of LP and super strat. But it was neither, at least not to me. Sounded good plugged in but feel wise was just…. Meh…

And someone mentioned the guitars size being a thing and I can definitely see what they meant. I’m 6’2” and it just felt and looked so tiny!

Maybe I’ll revisit these again some day.

 

[VH1R2]

Been a busy week and just getting around to catching up on all this. Thanks for the replies and opinions!

I started this thread for opinions on these because I have NEVER seen one in person to play in all the years these have been out. And oddly enough I stopped in guitar center for some picks a couple days after posting this, and they had two new ones in stock!

Not exactly that I was expecting. I guess part of me was thinking it may be a combination of LP and super strat. But it was neither, at least not to me. Sounded good plugged in but feel wise was just…. Meh…

And someone mentioned the guitars size being a thing and I can definitely see what they meant. I’m 6’2” and it just felt and looked so tiny!

Maybe I’ll revisit these again some day.

That makes perfect sense Ken, I hope you get something you really dig and groove on.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have 2 USA EVH WGs that I bought almost 10 years ago. I thought about selling them when EVH died, because they were going for stupid prices, but then I'd definitely miss them.

I've been interested in the new MIJ models, because I don't want to route my USAs for the kill switch, but I haven't got to pull the trigger on one yet.

 

[Rick Lee]

I'm an EVH fanboi.

I've had a few Wolfs, Peavey and EVH. Last one was the Wolf Standard in bomber/matte black. $499 new at GC a few years ago. That guitar was awesome and was as loud as an acoustic when unplugged. But I had to thin the herd a bit.