Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

[Lewguitar]

Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Used, the USA made version can be had for well under 2K if you search long enough.

Used early 80’s Kramer Barettas usually sell for more. And the Musicman Axis seems to be more highly coveted.

(I liked my Axis but the neck was too narrow at the nut for me and I sold it.)

I know Fender must sell a lot of Wolfgang’s...but I have never seen one on a local stage.

So why isn’t this guitar more popular?

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Ugly?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Ugly?

Looks like an Axis to me...except for the peghead.

What do you find ugly about the Wolfgang?

 

[Silver]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

The Axis looks better, IMO.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

The Axis looks better, IMO.

I like the peghead shape better. For sure.

But the Wolfgang gets consistently great reviews. Often five stars.

For both tone and playability...as well as quality.

It would seem to be one of the finest rock guitars on the market and it’s played by the most influential guitarist of the last 40 years.

Yet I never see anyone, except Ed, playing one.

 

[voggin]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Maybe it's somehow too associated with Eddie. Unless you're a fan, probably a lot of players don't even bother giving it a chance as a guitar on its own merits. Which is a shame, because it is quite a nice design, and not overly "shreddy" like some super strats.

I think it's a really nice alternative to both superstrats and things like the Les Paul Axcess, for someone looking for a Floyd. And I saw a hardtail one a couple of years ago, which was a thing of beauty.

I see Peavy has come out with a new issue of their version, so there must still be a sizeable market for them.

 

[Coma]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I'm gonna go with shape. It looks like a bloated Tele. Maybe most guys who are into teles go for more old-school stuff, and guys who are intro shredding don't go for teles? I dunno.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

First off, it's ugly.

Second, nobody gives a damn about Eddie anymore. He sorta disappeared during 2000 and people especially young ones were not exposed to his music. Compare him to Vai, Yngwie, PG, you know..the rest of the guitar gods who've managed to stay active during their career.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

For me, they represent — along with everything Ernie Ball/Axis/Peavey/Wolfgang — the post-classic period of Van Halen. It’s fine, but I’ve just never been that into it. I used to have a Peavey Wolfgang import, and it was a fine guitar, but I always kind of wished it was more of a Franky vibe. When I first got my hands on a Striped Series, I bought it on the spot.

My friend has both an Axis and a Peavey Wolfgang, and he plays the Ernie Ball ten times as much.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I dunno. I got a feeling this ax is going to catch on big time sometime in the future.

People laughed at the Telecaster, laughed at the Flying V, laughed at the Explorer and laughed at the Les Paul. Now originals are worth a fortune.

Guitarists are not always the most open minded folks on the planet...although being artists, they ought to be.

I’m waiting for the right EVH Signature to cross my path (meaning at a price that’s a steal) and I might get one.

 

[Coma]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I dunno. I got a feeling this ax is going to catch on big time sometime in the future.

People laughed at the Telecaster, laughed at the Flying V, laughed at the Explorer and laughed at the Les Paul. Now originals are worth a fortune.

Guitarists are not always the most open minded folks on the planet...although being artists, they ought to be..

Well, that's for damn sure. Why do you think 99.999999% of all guitars being built are still att heart the same materials and concepts dreamt up in the 50's? We're a notoriouasly conservative lot. Although, truth be told, I'm willing to shift some of the blame to all those awful attempts at revitalising the instrument in the 70's and 80's. Clumsy on-board synth systems, ugly plastics, and all of them supposedly just sounding like a bountiful plethora of hot garbage. There are some truly novel solutions today when it comes to sourcing materials not traditionally used in guitar constructions, that would certinaly be more sustainable in the long run than using rare woods. Or simply improving on ergonomics through weight, materials and shaping (let's face it, both Fender and Gibson guitars suffer from some serious design flaws that would never have been let out of a factory today).

But most importantly, it comes down to looks. If you don't like the look of something, doesn't matter how good it plays - you're not gonna wanna play it. Esp not if you're shelling out $2000 or more for it. Yeah, there are those guitars who can politely be filed under "interesting", but for a lot of players, I bet that's more of an ironic gimmick.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Ugly?

This for me. I never found anything attractive about them ever.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I’ve seen and read the reviews on how great a guitar it is from a playability standpoint, but I have to tell you that I think they’re one of the ugliest guitars I’ve ever laid eyes on.

I’m usually pretty open minded to guitar shapes, etc., but I’d only allow one of those into my stable if I could pick it up for under $300… THAT’S how ugly it is!

 

[dystrust]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

(I liked my Axis but the neck was too narrow at the nut for me and I sold it.)

I’m waiting for the right EVH Signature to cross my path (meaning at a price that’s a steal) and I might get one.

EVH Wolfgangs have the same narrow nut as the EBMM Axis. I have rather large hands and can't stand a 1 5/8" nut, so I'll never buy one for that reason alone.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I didn't care for the neck, for one. The body shape is a little weird, not necessarily ugly. I guess I would look at one again, of I didn't already have my Les Pauls. I'd want a hardtail.

Bill

 

[dave74]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I don't hate them but I've never really liked them either. (speaking only of cosmetics/design/specs,,,,,not quality,,, to which I have no idea)

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

EVH Wolfgangs have the same narrow nut as the EBMM Axis. I have rather large hands and can't stand a 1 5/8" nut, so I'll never buy one for that reason alone.

Went back and studied the specs. Although one review said the nut width was 1 11/16” (what I like...), others said what you said. 1 5/8”.

I’m disappointed because I came into a few unexpected bucks recently and just found one of these for $1800 used...and it’s a beauty.

But I haven’t played it. It’s on the local Craigslist tho. I’m going to go check it out.

But 1 5/8” would normally be a deal breaker for me too.

 

[Nagisa]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

It's the Steve Buscemi of guitars

 

[Coma]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

It's the Steve Buscemi of guitars

Weird looking, great versatility and Adam Sandler should not be allowed within 100 meters of it?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

Re: Why isn’t the EVH Wolfgang Signature guitar more popular?

I like the Music Man better.

But my thought is that it isn't popular because it isn't the guitar EVH used when VH were popular. And it isn't the guitar people associate with VH (the videos, concerts, Hit Parader pictures). We have another generation before striped Kramers aren't seen anymore. What he used after that doesn't matter to most people.