After some time, the EVH Gear team realised that what was needed was a cheaper, more traditional alternative to their line-up of guitars. Along came shortly after the introduction of the main EVH Wolfgang series the EVH Wolfgang Special.
The EVH Wolfgang Special is a more traditional approach to the EVH guitars made and designed by EVH/Fender.
Picture courtesy http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/showthread.php?278785-EVH-Wolfgang-Special-or-Washburn-N24
The non-American made EVH Wolfgang Specials bear little difference to the main line of EVH Wolfgang guitars, except that some models come with a flame maple top and most notably on many models, with a maple fingerboard.
So for those who love the more traditional approach to maple necks and a cheaper price tag, there is a good option for those looking for a better alternative to the EVH Wolfgang line.
As indicated by EVH Gear, the Striped Wolfgang Specials are hand painted as opposed to a Graphic paint job, which is a bonus in any guitar player’s book. These guitars take around three weeks to be constructed from start to finish.
The EVH Wolfgang Special Striped is one good looking shred machine.
Picture courtesy http://www.evhgear.com/gear/guitars/wolfgang-special/
There are four main models to choose from: EVH Wolfgang Special; EVH Wolfgang Special TOM, EVH Wolfgang Special Striped and the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped Black and Yellow. Note that the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped and the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped Black and Yellow versions of the EVH Wolfgang Special line are relatively recent additions to the line-up. Also note that the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped comes with an Ebony fretboard, as opposed to maple.
The standard EVH Wolfgang Special comes in an array of different colours to choose from and the price hovers around the $1,300US to $1,500US price range.
Let’s observe the specifications of the EVH Wolfgang Special, courtesy of www.evhgear.com:
The EVH Wolfgang Special comes in a large variety of colours, such as the El Natural finish.
Picture courtesy http://www.evhgear.com/gear/guitars/wolfgang-special/
GENERAL:
Model Name: EVH® Wolfgang® Special
Series: Wolfgang® Special
Colours Available: El Natural; Satin Red; Matte Army Drab; Gold; Gloss Black; Stealth Black with Ebony Fingerboard; Vintage White; Burnt Cherry Burst; 3 Tone Cherry Burst; Tobacco Sunburst.
BODY:
Body Shape: Wolfgang®
Body Binding: Yes
Body Material: Basswood
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
NECK:
Neck Material: Bolt-On Quartersawn Maple
Neck Shape: Wolfgang Backshape
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 12” to 16” Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Jumbo
String Nut: Floyd Rose® Locking
Nut Width: 1.625” (41.3 mm)
Neck Plate: N/A
ELECTRONICS:
Bridge Pickup: Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucking
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucking
Controls: Volume (500K EVH Bourns Low Friction Pot). Tone (250K EVH Bourns High Friction Pot)
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup.
Pickup Configuration: HH
HARDWARE:
Bridge: EVH®-Branded Floyd Rose® Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna®
Tuning Machines: EVH®-Branded
Orientation: Right-Hand
Pickguard: None
Control Knobs: Black “Speed” Knobs
MISCELLANEOUS:
Strings: EVH® Branded (.009-.042 Gauges)
Included Accessories: Tremolo Arm, Wrenches, D-Tuna Accessories
The EVH Wolfgang Special TOM is also a consideration for those looking for an EVH Wolfgang Special without the Floyd Rose tremolo system, as some players may prefer this option with prices not dissimilar to the regular EVH Wolfgang Special. Below are the specifications for this part of the EVH Wolfgang line-up, courtesy of www.evhgear.com:
GENERAL:
Model Name: EVH® Wolfgang Special TOM
Series: Wolfgang® Special
Colours Available: Burnt Cherry Sunburst; Gloss Black; Vintage White.
BODY:
Body Shape: Wolfgang®
Body Material: Basswood with Flame Map Top
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
NECK:
Neck Material: 1-Piece Quartersawn Maple with Graphite Reinforcement
Neck Shape: Wolfgang Backshape
Scale Length: 25.5” (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 12” to 16” Compound Radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Jumbo
String Nut: Graphite
Nut Width: 1.625” (41.3 mm)
Neck Plate: N/A
Neck Finish: Hand-Rubbed Urethane
Fingerboard: Maple
Position Inlays: Black Dot
ELECTRONICS:
Bridge Pickup: Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucking
Middle Pickup: Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucking
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucking
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup.
Pickup Configuration: HH
HARDWARE:
Bridge: Fully Adjustable Compensated Bridge with Tunamatic-Style Tailpiece
Tuning Machines: EVH®-Branded
Orientation: Right-Hand
Pickguard: None
Control Knobs: Black Plastic
MISCELLANEOUS:
Strings: EVH® Branded (.009-.042 Gauges)
Please note that although the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped and the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped Black and Yellow are not covered here, they will be covered in another area as this is a relatively new addition to EVH Gear. If these guitars sound like that they are ideal for you, please visit www.evhgear.com for more information.
Now there are no excuses for those who love Maple fingerboards to pick up an EVH Wolfgang Special.
Picture courtesy http://www.evhgear.com/extras/namm/
References:
Project EVH 