TEST: EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted

Well done to the artist whose name, despite cancer and severe alcoholism to this day, at least among all musicians from 50+, has the radiance of a supernova. Probably no guitarist in the world has brought it in the field of popularity, innovation and virtuosity to such great success as Edward van Halen, who without front man David Lee Roth would probably only have made it to the attributes 2 and 3, but in the interplay with THE blueprint of the showman of the eighties brought it to world fame of the highest league. After many years of cooperation with various manufacturers, Eddie has launched his own empire some time ago, which offers under the trademark "EVH" pretty much everything in Signature Edition, which the offspring of a Dutch jazz clarinetist and an Indonesian woman ever got in his hands or under his feet in his life. For today's test, we have an EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted, where EVH, like many other manufacturers, ventures into new price regions.

The conception of the EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted

The guitar market is changing more and more. Although highly equipped signature models from 3,500 € upwards appear in the scene from time to time, but except for a few die hard fans who are willing to follow their idol into these price regions, no more sales can be generated with these instruments. For the "normal" hobby guitarist, a four-digit number represents a kind of wall that is only overcome in a few situations. I do not have exact figures, but I am quite sure that the majority of guitars actually sold have a three-digit sales price.

Interesting for the customer is always which functions, details or processing steps fall victim to the red pencil, as in this case, where the homage to Edward's son Wolfgang with only just 17% of the retail price of the USA-manufactured Edward van Halen Signature guitar.

Even if Eddie's mother is from Indonesia, she is unlikely to be the reason why the EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted is made in that country. On the one hand, Indonesia has surpassed China when it comes to cheap manufacturing methods, and on the other hand, the country has been recording a steady increase in manufacturing quality for years. However, it will probably not go completely without compromises, which will eventually become apparent.

The guitar is shipped in a cardboard box, which was lined with "cardboard and styrofoam molded inserts". Yes, the guitar arrived undamaged and it is no longer common to ship guitars from the three-digit sales segment with a case, but the same "packaging" was really borderline this time. Probably it is cheaper to throw away every tenth guitar with a total loss than to deliver nine guitars with a case. Well then, company policy.

When you take the guitar out of the cardboard case for the first time, you are almost struck by a natural wood armada. Four different wood colors from three different wood species put any rustic oak cabinet wall in the shade. The most eye-catching feature is the almost 5 mm thick ceiling made of "Spalted Marple", a maple wood that has been attacked by a fungus and, as a result of this, displays a characteristic grain. The top runs through to the outer edges, creating a natural or fake binding.

The body is once again made of Edward van Halen's preferred basswood, which has been stained reddish, giving it a mahogany touch. In terms of weight, the guitar weighs in at 3.4 kg, which is quite moderate. In terms of neck and fingerboard was once again baked, ie the toasting of maple necks is now no longer an issue even in the inexpensive models. The fingerboard was designed as a compound with 305 mm - 406 mm (12" - 16") from the third to the twelfth fret.

However, with all the tonal advantages that a toasted neck brings, one should not forget to adjust the rest of the neck's components to the new color scheme. Thus, the new color of the neck is no longer a light, yellow-brown tone, but rather a medium, almost dark brown. However, the fingerboard markings on the top and sides of the fingerboard have still been done in black, which means that on a dimly lit stage, you can see absolutely nothing of the same. Here, the one or other misgrip will not be avoided. A sensible approach is the access to the truss rod above the neck pickup, which may not please everyone visually, but mechanically is the much better variant than the weakening of the neck at the transition to the headstock.

The neck is finished with one of the smallest headstocks currently available. It's not clear to me why EVH is so fond of small headstocks, there is a tightness on the backside of the headstock, especially since the D-string action just manages not to stick out of the round notch. Also, in the 3:3 alignment, three machine heads each were aligned parallel to the neck, while the other three were aligned lengthwise to the headstock side. Well then, art is free, however, another point puts the negative crown on the EVH machine heads.

I don't know who builds the machine heads under license, but EVH did themselves no favors by using these machine heads. Even if the tuners are used comparatively little due to the clamp saddle, in terms of even response, the tuners fail completely. The tuners have quite a bit of play, both in tightening and loosening the tuners, and only catch after just under 2 mm of rotation. For me, a big damper in terms of components used.

The vibrato system used is, of course, a Floyd Rose system, but it rests firmly on the top and thus offers much greater tuning stability than a free-floating system. Also, the breaking of a string does not directly destroy the entire tuning and you can still play the song with 5 strings to the end. Unfortunately, the finetuners are not necessarily the crème de la crème in terms of smoothness, here it jerks a bit and also the force is significantly higher than in higher-quality versions.

In the electrics, a circuit with 2 humbuckers from our own production, a three-way switch and a master volume and master tone is used. So far, so good, but the heptagonal poti caps would have deserved a deburring. In fact, especially the terminations towards the top are so sharp-edged that one runs the risk of hurting oneself on the edges in the hustle and bustle of stage presentation.

In practice

Played unamplified, the EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted convinces from the very first note. The response is fast, the sustain is very good due to the toasted neck. The string action was unfortunately set much too low from the factory, but this could be fixed with a few tweaks. Fortunately, the fixed vibrato system does not suffer from the "resonating spring syndrome", which is present in almost all free-floating vibrato systems and which shatters every staccato riff.

The volume control works logarithmically, which means that almost 80% of the volume control is available on the last 25% of the control path. This in itself is not a problem and is even explicitly appreciated by many Strat players, you just have to get used to it.

Soundwise, the EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted offers unusually much Van Halen for the money, as long as you keep in mind how said sound is composed. If you're looking for the ultimate in high-gain banging, this is definitely not the instrument for you. Rather, you have the possibility, especially in cooperation with the volume control, to work a lot in the lead and crunch range, just the area that Eddie primarily plows on all VH records.

The playability of the instrument is good, the workmanship as well, the sound quite authentic, the "woody" finish as always a matter of taste. A good, versatile instrument with a focus on rock, not metal.

Conclusion

With the EVH Wolfgang WG Std Exotic Spalted, EVH offers a lot of Van Halen flair for the money. The very inexpensive guitar allows a good entry into the VH camp and convinces over long stretches despite some compromises in detail.


Additional Informations:

- EVH Guitars, also known as the Eddie Van Halen Guitars, is a guitar company that was founded by the legendary musician Eddie Van Halen and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in 2007. The company is dedicated to producing high-quality electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers that reflect the unique style and sound of Eddie Van Halen.

Eddie Van Halen was a highly influential guitarist and musician who was known for his innovative playing style and unique sound. He was the lead guitarist and co-founder of the band Van Halen, which achieved immense success in the 1970s and 1980s. Eddie Van Halen's playing style and sound have been the inspiration for countless musicians and guitarists around the world.

EVH Guitars was created with the goal of producing instruments that capture the essence of Eddie Van Halen's playing style and sound. The company produces a range of electric guitars, including the Wolfgang, the Striped Series, and the 5150 Series. Each of these guitars is designed to provide players with the ability to create a wide range of sounds, from classic rock to heavy metal.

The Wolfgang series is perhaps the most well-known of EVH's guitars. It was designed by Eddie Van Halen himself and is available in a range of different configurations, including the Wolfgang Standard, the Wolfgang Special, and the Wolfgang USA. The Wolfgang features a number of unique design elements, including a custom-designed EVH humbucking pickup, a unique body shape, and a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system.

The Striped Series is another popular line of guitars from EVH. These guitars are modeled after the iconic red, black, and white striped guitar that Eddie Van Halen played on stage during the band's early years. The Striped Series guitars feature a basswood body, a maple neck, and a custom-designed EVH humbucking pickup. They are available in a range of different colors, including red, black, and white, as well as yellow and black.

The 5150 Series is a line of guitars that was designed with heavier styles of music in mind. These guitars feature a basswood body, a maple neck, and a custom-designed EVH humbucking pickup. They also feature a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system and are available in a range of different colors, including black, white, and red.

In addition to its range of guitars, EVH also produces a range of amplifiers, including the 5150 III, the 5150 III EL34, and the 5150 III LBX. These amplifiers are designed to provide players with a powerful and versatile sound that is perfect for heavy rock and metal styles of music.

Overall, EVH Guitars is a company that is dedicated to producing high-quality instruments that reflect the unique style and sound of Eddie Van Halen. With its range of electric guitars, basses, and amplifiers, the company is a favorite among guitarists and musicians around the world who are looking to create their own unique sound. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, an EVH guitar is sure to provide you with the tools you need to take your playing to the next level.

- Wolfgang Van Halen is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer who is best known as the bassist for the rock band Van Halen. He is the son of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli. Wolfgang has been active in the music industry since his early teens and has contributed to a number of high-profile projects over the years.

Wolfgang Van Halen was born on March 16, 1991, in Santa Monica, California. He grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from an early age. His father, Eddie Van Halen, is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and his uncle, Alex Van Halen, is the drummer for the band Van Halen. Despite growing up in such a musical environment, Wolfgang initially showed little interest in playing music.

It wasn't until he was 10 years old that Wolfgang started to take an interest in music. He began playing the drums and guitar and quickly developed a talent for both. When he was 15 years old, he joined his father and uncle's band, Van Halen, as the band's bassist. This was a significant moment in Wolfgang's career, as he was replacing original bassist Michael Anthony, who had been with the band since its inception.

Wolfgang's debut album with Van Halen, "A Different Kind of Truth," was released in 2012. The album was a critical and commercial success, and Wolfgang's bass playing received high praise from fans and critics alike. He also contributed to the band's live shows, helping to bring a fresh energy to the stage.

In addition to his work with Van Halen, Wolfgang has also worked on a number of other projects over the years. He has played bass for the bands Tremonti and Mark Morton, and has also produced music for a number of artists, including Sevendust and Mark Tremonti.

In 2020, Wolfgang released his debut solo album, "Mammoth WVH." The album was highly anticipated by fans and showcased Wolfgang's talents as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The album features a range of different styles, from hard rock to acoustic ballads, and was well-received by fans and critics alike.

In addition to his musical talents, Wolfgang has also been praised for his philanthropic efforts. He has worked with a number of charities over the years, including the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which provides musical instruments to underfunded schools, and the MusiCares Foundation, which provides support to musicians in need.

Overall, Wolfgang Van Halen is a talented musician who has made a significant impact in the music industry. His work with Van Halen and his solo career have showcased his skills as a bassist, songwriter, and producer, and his philanthropic efforts have earned him respect and admiration from fans and colleagues alike. With a bright future ahead of him, Wolfgang is sure to continue making waves in the music industry for years to come.