Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

So as I was waiting for the guitar ho to ring up my newest purchase, I asked if I could check out the EVH Frankenstein replica hanging way up high on the wall, next to the SRV Lenny replica.

Lots of surprises. The action isn't particularly low, but the strings are so slinky that it felt very easy to play. I don't mind the rough, unfinished neck at all. In fact, it's rather appealing. I was surprised how heavy the neck was relative to the body.

On the one I played, the tremolo arm rattles around completely; it's not tightened into the Floyd Rose plate. I'm assuming this is the same with the other replica's, and with EVH's real Frankenstein as well. Can anyone confirm this?

Lots of fun. Not $25,000 worth of fun, but fun just the same. Gives me some new insight into his thinking and approach.

- Keith

 

[Axl H]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

Sounds nice about the guitar. Its a killer for sure!

About the arm, screw in types can do that.... Eddie did it on his.

 

[MetalMike_II]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

I played one through a nice amp
had a chubby the whole time
one of the great guitar moments of my life, actually

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

Yup, I played one also, the sound gave me a woody...but, yeah, the majority of the guitar was just a perfectly replicated mess (sloppy trem arm and all). Cool to see and play in person though.

 

[tone?]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

yeah its a POS totally.

I wasnt lucky enough to play it through an amp though.

Hey man, didnt you find the guitar silly light weight???


In terms of playability it totally sucked to me. The EBMM Axis/EVH is a million times better the replica is no where near.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

I want most POS over those EBMMs anyday

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

yeah its a POS totally.

I wasnt lucky enough to play it through an amp though.

Hey man, didnt you find the guitar silly light weight???


In terms of playability it totally sucked to me. The EBMM Axis/EVH is a million times better the replica is no where near.

The fact its a POS is what makes it so important.. I mean the orig is what it is from years of bastardization and self mods all in the name of making something new and better. The result is a cobbly, hacked up guitar that probably shouldnt work, but has created some of the most important music in history.:bowdown:
Blows my mind..
When I saw the gap in the neck pocket and pick in there for shim. etc..

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

I wasnt lucky enough to play it through an amp though.

Hey man, didnt you find the guitar silly light weight???

I specifically asked not to play it through an amp. I wanted to see and feel it, which is what I did for all ten minutes I held it.

I was surprised by how light the body was, and how heavy the neck was. Fairly unbalanced, but I have to say I liked that unbalanced feel. I like a slightly neck-heavy guitar.

- Keith

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

I like a slightly neck-heavy guitar.

justification for the SG, huh?

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

Ha! Actually, I never realized my affinity for neck-heavy guitars till I started checking out SGs.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

Now you need a Thunderbird, a Firebird...

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

...a 12-string Rick...

 

[Bender]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

Why is it that someone like EVH can come up with a POS like this and everyone thinks its cool ?
If you or I had the same ax we couldn't put $50 with it and give it away

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

Because it is a replica of history

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

yeah its a POS totally.

I wasnt lucky enough to play it through an amp though.

Hey man, didnt you find the guitar silly light weight???


In terms of playability it totally sucked to me. The EBMM Axis/EVH is a million times better the replica is no where near.

This might have been one of those situations where you needed to play it through an amp. I'm normally a big believer in trying things unplugged first when testing them out, but it's probably a bad guitar for that approach.

I'm not real likely to ever try one myself because I avoid GC like the plague, but I'm rather curious because some people say they're great, and some people think they suck a$$

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

This might have been one of those situations where you needed to play it through an amp. I'm normally a big believer in trying things unplugged first when testing them out, but it's probably a bad guitar for that approach.

I'm not real likely to ever try one myself because I avoid GC like the plague, but I'm rather curious because some people say they're great, and some people think they suck a$$

I say the represent a great piece of rock history, and they're made just for EVH. Any other EVHs out there? Nope, just one. I guess this guitar's just for him.

 

[tone?]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

I say the represent a great piece of rock history, and they're made just for EVH. Any other EVHs out there? Nope, just one. I guess this guitar's just for him.

Exactly. i wanted to go see my heros guitar and see what the heck he liked. And i saw it aint for me. Mind you i didnt spend time with the thing. Sometimes things grow on us as well. I wasnt so so drawn to my EBMM Axis in the beginning but i am loving it more and more.

I just wanted to see his formula for tone. And from what i saw it was a LIGHT body. Something not too many people were keen on back then. Basswood wasnt even popular back then, and light guitars werent really into the scene as far as i know. So he must have been on to something. Holdsworth started the Basswood thing if i remember correctly.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

The original Frankenstein isn't even basswood, it's ash. Eddie didn't play basswood guitars regularly until the Music Man model. The Charvel Art series guitars are basswood but they are not the same as the Frankenstein replica, which is ash.

It may be a POS, or was considered such back in the day, but the man that played it made it what it is, one of the, if not the most recognizable guitar in rock history.

I've seen one in person and was really impressed. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is just insane. Haven't played one yet but would like to just for my own curiosity. It will be plugged in.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

the $25,000 Frankie is made from ash, but light ASH...? the original for years was said to be a heavy piece of Hard ASH??? Makes me wonder if they went with the light ash for tone reasons on the Replica or is it because the original was light as well...?

must be the original is light as well because in the video i saw on the axe it says the bodies weigh extremely close to the same weight as the original...

 

[tone?]

Re: Played the EVH Frankenstein Replica Today

yeah, its ash alright. Somewhere i read that he used basswood with the maple top to closely resemble ash. I dont know if that is right though.