Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $640 used
Submitted 03/03/2004
at 10:54am
by Ben
Email: punk_rocker128<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:10
This is a 1999 model which was made in the United States. It has 22 frets. Im pretty sure its an arch top model but Im not sure (Im not very good with details). The controls it has are 1 Volume knob, 1 Tone knob, and a 3 way pickup selector. It has 2 Humbucker pickups and the bridge pickup is a custom EMG-81. It was like this when I bought it and I'm thinking of replacing the neck pickup with an EMG-60. It's a bit too harsh sounding on some models of my PODXT. The 60 should calm this down. The EMG-81 pickup is active but lasts for 3,000 hours. I've had the guitar for almost 20 months and haven't replaced the battery. There's a 9V battery in my case just in case it dies, though. The neck is made out of Birdseye Maple with TONS of birdseye in it. It's color is Vintage Gold and its really nice. It came with a scratch on the front and I dropped a screwdriver on it and made another. The version I have has a Licensed Floyd Rose in the bridge. It was nothing but trouble for a few months. Don't plan on using the D-Tuna and your guitar staying in tune. I finally ended up blocking the bridge and this fixed it. Tuners are locking, the brand is Schaller. The accessories it came with when I purcahsed it were: Hard case, 7 allen wrenchs, Whammy Bar, and the original pickup. Couldn't ask for anything more...
Sound
:9
This guitar perfectly fits my music styles. I play mainly hard rock (think Metallica). I also play the acoustic songs like Nothing Else Matters, Mama Said, Fight Fire with Fire...etc. I play it through a PODXT going into a Marshall AVT20. You have to mess with the amp controls to equalize the POD. It can get pretty noisy on the hi-gain models. You have to turn down the volume to make it stop clipping and to get less gain. I think the guitar is capable of pretty much any sound, you just have to really search to find the tone...Well, for me at least.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
When I got the guitar, I bet the action was perfect. I just messed with it so much that I really screwed it up. I've adjusted the intonation about 3 times. I dont know how you adjust pickups, so I cant comment on that. There weren't any flaws when I bought it.
Reliability/Durability
:7
This guitar is well built. The hardware seems like it'll last forever. The finish isn't very good, the paint chipped about an inch out of the side and I had to tape it to make it stop. The strap buttons can sometimes get loose, but not too bad.
Customer Support
:10
I've dealt with customer support on their forums and they were extremely helpful and friendly. I took it to Mammoth music to get the bridge blocked, but they did a horrible job. Right after I changed the strings it was back to normal. It didnt have a warranty when I bought it.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for a long time and own a few guitars. A Marshall AVT20, and a PODXT. Before I bought this, I wish I would have asked how to block the bridge. Thats been the biggest problem. If it was stolen, I'd go buy another one right away. I love the neck, I've played guitars at the music stores and this one's got the best action. I never compared it to other guitars because I dont need to. Its a fine guitar.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $650 used
Submitted 01/19/2004
at 07:45am
by Anonymous
Features
:10
Made in 1997, 22 frets, arched top, Volume/Tone, basic Wolfie Standard setup. Love the Floyd with the D-tuner, use it all the time. The neck and pickups are what really made this guitar for me though. The neck is the most comfortable I've ever played, and the pickups are fantastic.
Sound
:10
I play a lot of classic rock, Van Halen, Zeppelin, and it does a lot of tones pretty good. I'm using a Yamaha VR4000 stereo amp and Dunlop Crybaby. Harmonics scream on this thing, I love it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Since it was used, you can't really give the factory credit for the setup. It was setup well though, low action, a little too low, it had a little buzz. The trem was a little stiff too, so I loosened the spring claw.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Everything has held up on it pretty good though considering the amount of abuse I gave it.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Haven't delt with them.
Overall Rating
:10
Been playing a little about a year and a half, this was my first real guitar, and she's a keeper. If it were stolen, I'd buy a new one in a heartbeat, just so I could have one until the original was found. Favorite feature is definitely the neck, it's perfect. I looked at a lot of guitars, Strats, Ibanezes, Gibsons, this one just had everything I needed and felt the best.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted 01/06/2004
at 10:49am
by John K.
Features
:9
After reading all the reviews, my Wolf seems to be somewhat different than most others. It was born in 1999, highly flamed green arch top(put my green PRS 10 top to shame). The tuners are gold Sperzals w/oval pearl tuner knobs. The volume and tone knobs, bridge(hard tail)and 3-way is also gold. The neck is maple w/highly figured birdseye. Simply beautiful. The body edges are purfled out in a pearl trim also. Maybe someone got a little crazy at Peavy and thought they would slip this in, absolute Custom Shop quality. The twin humbuckers are mounted directly in wood. Sustain's like my L.P. Custom. Doesn't need nor has many features, just looks great and rocks like a mother.
Sound
:10
Strictly an overdriven guitar. Ran thru a 5150 is a match made in heaven. Very quiet yet will knock your socks off! This is a one trick pny but it does what it's best at. Balls to the wall overdriven rock!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
Everything was perfect even though I was the 2nd owner. The flame top is incredible, the workmanship perfect. Peavey surprised alot of people with this guitar. I almost bought a MM Axis Super Sport but I would have regreted it. This is far superior.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Everything is solid, durable and meant to last. It's too nice to gig with but could with no problems. I still don't know where the Sperzals came from but they are a plus on any guitar.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never dealt with Peavey in the guitar area, but if the WolfGang is anything like the 5150 amp, I'll never have to.
Overall Rating
:10
Been playing 30+ years, own some nice guitars but this is one of the best! Would replace it in a heart beat if able as they are getting quite expensive. My favorite feature is the visual impact and those awesome humbuckers. I'd like to drop some in a Strat and see what happens!
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $1895
Submitted 11/13/2003
at 08:17pm
by Anonymous
Features
:10
US made 2000 model, transparent amber with all the standard features - floyd tremelo and d-tuna. I had it coil tapped so that both pickups can be split.
With the coil tap - what more could you want?
Sound
:9
With the coil tap, it suits my purposes perfectly. I play in a rock cover band that stretches from heavy Rage stuff to Dave Matthews Band and Van Morrison. The coil tap has made the guitar more than just a 'hard-rock/metal' guitar, which it otherwise would be. I run it through an old Marshall 9000 series tube power amp with JMP1 preamp and Boss GX-700 effects coupled with a 1960A 4 X 12 cab. I could probably play an entire gig with just this guitar although I usually play most of the clean stuff with a US standard strat - the Wolfgang is not quite there in terms of what I like for a clean sound (although the middle position with the coil tap does get pretty close to a tele/stratty sort of sound).
Pickups are very hot and I have a bit of trouble balancing the volume with my other guitars (US Strat and Ibanez RG 550 with Dimarzio pickups) but a bit of tweaking with the master volume on the JMP1 is all that is required.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
I bought mine in the US and had it carted back to Australia. It played perfectly straight out of the case. I have since had a bit of work done on the neck and general set up but only due to inevitable wear the guitar is receiving (I gig at least once a week - sometimes twice and rehearse once a week). Action was originally very low, a bit too low in fact for me, but it is now playing superbly.
Reliability/Durability
:9
The Wolf has been my main gig guitar for the last 3 years - no serious problems. The harware is good, although the plastic tuning pegs and tone and volume knobs are a bit cheap (I replaced mine with chrome knobs - look much better in my view). Also, the push pull coil tap on the dimarzio is much smoother than the original pot (I put it on the tone - will probably replace the volume with a dimarzio pot in the near future as well).
I replaced the strap buttons to use strap locks and haven't had a problem - much safer and more reliable after a couple of close calls with the guitar falling from the strap.
I would never gig without a backup guitar (string breakage) but other than the occasional broken string the guitar has never let me down.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Haven't dealt with them.
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing abot 15 years - own a Mesa DC3, Martin 12 string, Yairi WY1BK, Taylor 314ce L2, 1989 US Strat and 1990 Ibanez RG 550.
I knew what I was getting into when I bought the guitar - wanted a sound that was a cross between a Les Paul and a Strat and this is pretty close in my view without going the PRS route. The coil tap has made the guitar more versatile and useable for more than heavy rock.
The d-tuna is fantastic and the best feature - essential for playing Rage and other drop D rock numbers like Place Your Hands and eliminates the need for me to lug around an extra guitar tuned to drop D. Doesn't hold the intonation perfectly though, but this doesn't phase me on stage.
If I lost it I would buy another in a second - although getting them out here in Australia is not the easiest thing (very expensive too).
I compared to PRS before I bought but this was a better 'rock' guitar in my view and a lot less expensive. I actually bought mine sight unseen over the phone and was happy with the service and the result.
Anyone who is concerned about ending up with a 'one trick pony' in buying one of these should explore getting the coil tap - it unlocks a huge range of clean and crunchy tones that would otherwise be unobtainable and makes the guitar very versatile.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $569.00 with Hardshell Case
Submitted 10/04/2003
at 11:10am
by Daniel
Email: secretagentrockstar<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:8
This is the export( cheaper) version of the EVH Wolfgang, but it has some of the same features as its older brother. The EVH Export is made in Korea! Yeah I know what you're thinking, but we'll get to that later. The EVH Export has the same EVH designed pick-ups as the Wolfgang. The Floyd Rose bridge seems to be made from casted metal, rather than a machined bridge like on its older brother. The D-Tuna, Floyd Rose locking nut, Grover tuning machines, without the pearl key heads and quilted maple top and Faux(?)binding are all standard. I bought the Amber Quilted Maple Top Model. You can also get the Export in Tobbaco Sunburst, Transparent Blue, or Transparent Crimson Red. The Export only comes with a 25 1/2" maple neck, but its not Graphite re-enforced, and no figured neck options. Just straight maple, with some nice figure, but definitely not Birdseye. The frets are tall, and come to a point, kinda. The feel of the neck is very much like a well worn, often played neck. It is very comfortable, even for big hands like mine. Bending strings are a joy on this baby! The pick-up selector is a Les Paul type, but reversed. Up position is Bridge Pick-up, Down position is Neck Pick-up, Middle Position is Both Pick-ups. One volume control is all that is given. The Export also came with a hardshell case. I've had this guitar for over a year, so the "Honeymoon is Over" as some of you guys say.
Sound
:10
Well, here is where it all matters! The tone is everything, and this little baby has it in spades! The pick-ups weren't set up to my liking, so I adjusted the pole pieces, as well as the height. Yes, the height of the pick-ups can be adjusted on either of these(EVH Export, or EVH Wolfgang USA) guitars, contrary to what you may have read in other reviews here. The screws are drilled into the body, but there are still springs between the body and the pick-up mounting bracket! So adjusting them was no problem. The tone of this guitar comes through no matter what I'm playing. Blues, Rock, Metal, yeah its in there. The pick-ups themselves have a very warm sound, and playing the guitar un-plugged it has a almost an acoustic volume. You can actually hear the tone of this guitar, even when your playing it un-plugged! The volume control on this guitar does alot more than control that. Back the volume off , with the neck pick-up on, instant SRV. Leave it wide open, instant Clapton(Cream). I'm still amazed by the way the volume control works in conjunction with the pick-ups. I play through a Tech-21 Trademark 60 with a 4x12 celestion cab, Boss V-wah, BBE Sonic Maximizer, and a Rocktron Tsunami Chorus. I also have a Mesa Boggie Studio Pre-amp going through a Mesa boogie 50/50 power amp. In both set-ups the tone is nothing short of fantastic. The sustain of the guitar is wonderful, the guitar almost seems alive when I'm playing it. The pick-ups are quiet, and the only time that I expierenced any hum was when I was playing near my TV, while it was on. Once I turned it off, the hum was gone. No problems with the sound, if you take the time to PLAY the guitar, you'll find that any tone is possible.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Well the Factory set-up wasn't to my liking. That's normal, though. I've never bought any guitar that had been set-up for me, right out of the box. The pick-ups had to be properly adjusted for my liking(see above)and the action was a little on the high side. The routing for the Floyd is very clean, as is the pick-up routing/installation. All of the electronic work is very well done, and very neat/clean. The fret work is first rate. All of the frets were highly polished and the sides were smooth and even. None of them come over the edge of the fret board. The Quilted maple top is finished beautifully and even. The oil finished neck is a wonder, and feels like it was designed for my hand! The D-tuna, well thats another story. This is where I had problems. Unfortunately, the EVH Export didn't come with any instructions for properly setting the D-tuna up(incidentally, the EVH Export didn't come with any instructions at all). This was very frustrating, especially when I changed to a heavier guage string. The D-Tuna needs to be adjusted for different string guages, and I finally found(just last week) the D-Tuna Site to do this correctly. Before this, the D-Tuna was basically useless. This is my biggest complaint, and I have called and spoke to the people at Peavey about this oversite. Still, although this was a problem, I'm not going to let it affect the rating too much.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Everything about this guitar reeks of quality, the fact that its made in Korea not withstanding. The EVH Export is a great, solidly built guitar, that will last forever, if properly taken care of. After over a year of playing gigs, and rehersals, the finish does show some wear, in the area between the pick-ups just below the high E string. There were light scratch marks from my pick, or hands constantly rubbing that area. This is after more than 150 gigs, 3-5 sets a night! Not to mention rehersals 2-3 times a week! So I'll say that the finish is very durable. I went out and bought some rubbing compound and Presto! The scratches are gone, and the guitar looks brand new! I've been using this guitar as my primary, with no back-up. The risk of taking out my Cherry Sunburst or Ebony Les Paul Custom, or my Custom Shop Strat, is to high. These are still my favorite guitars, but the EVH Export can run with all 3 of them, and it has some advantages(Floyd Rose, D-Tuna) that they don't. The strap buttons are very solid, and I've not had a problem with them as of yet.
Customer Support
:10
The EVH Export has a 1 year warranty. I never had to use it, and I haven't had any problems with the EVH Export. When I called about the D-Tuna/instructions for the EVH Export, they sent me a set for the EVH Wolfgang USA. I didn't need them, as I had already found out how to set-up the D-tuna, but its nice to know that the people at Peavey do listen. The Guy that I talked to was very friendly.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for over 20 years. I teach guitar instruction for a living, and perform product testing for local music stores. I was asked to test this guitar for a local music store and give my honest opinion. I fell in love with it after 2 weeks of testing, and bought it. I believe that Export sounds as good as, if not better than my Les Paul Customs, and my Custom Shop Strat. Its almost like the best of the Strat and Les Pauls combined into one guitar. If this guitar was stolen or lost, I'd go out and buy another without hesitation. The tone and the neck, the comfort of the body and the Floyd and the D-Tuna... whats not to like? If I had to pick one thing that I love the most about the Export, it would be the tone. My favorite feature is the neck shape. Its just soooo comfortable. I really can't say that I'd change anything about this Guitar, there is nothing to hate.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $1700
Submitted 09/28/2003
at 02:31pm
by King Octopus
Features
:9
USA peavey wolfgang with cherry flame top. Locking tremolo with D-tuna.
This guitar doesn't need fancy features to rock, even though the D-tuna is worth a whole other guitar!
Sound
:10
This guitar is much more versital than most people tend to believe. I play in both a cover band and an original band. The cover band covers everything from Metallica to Mana and everything in between. This guitar sounds great on all of them. The original band is a agrresive alternative metal kind of thing and I always cut through the mix with this guitar. I run the guitar through a couple of effects or just straight through my Mesa Triple Rectifier into a 4 X 12 Mesa cab. The sound is huge! Properly EQed this guitar does clean up nicely contrary to many postings here. Even with a high gain amp this guitar is extremely quiet.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
The fit and finish on this guitar are pretty impressive. Lets face it we all frowned when we found out EVH had gone to peavey, but if you are serious about playing guitar you owe it to yourself to check a USA wolfgang out. It will not dissapoint you. It is pretty much perfect in every way I couldn't find anything wrong with it, and trust me I was looking for peavey's flaws.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I have had this guitar for a little over a year now, and I have gigged with it about 2 to 3 times a week since then. I have never had any problems with it! All the hardware is tuff and the parts look like they are built to last. I depend on it immensely. Experience has taught me that you should NEVER EVER gig without a backup, but if I had to this would be the one guitar I would go with.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I have had no need to deal with them.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing guitar for 15 years, ten of those years proffesionally. I am not an overprivilaged child who bought this as my first guitar and am just learning how to play. I gigged my butt off to be able to afford this guitar. I do spend all of my money on gear though. This guitar is very different from the major guitar brands, mainly because of the neck. The neck on this guitar is unreal, it has to be played to be believed! This guitar did take some getting used to, at first I felt like I couldn't play it, something was different about the way your forearm rests on the body, but once I grew accustomed to it there was no going back! This guitar gets compared to all of the big names for one reason, because it can hang with all of the other overpriced brands. I have the luxury of currently owning a PRS standard 24 a Custom shop Les Paul and an Ibanez JS 1000. I love all of these guitars each one is special in its own right, But I now know that a guitar doesn't have to be super expensive to be good, I also learned that some guitars are just priced high because of their name. The Wolfgang can take these on any day. I play all of my guitars but keep going for the Wolfgang just because it sounds great and is a pleasure to play. IN the end it is all going to be up to personal preferance so just play an instrument that inspires you and makes you want to play! The wolfgang is that istrument for me.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $1300+tax
Submitted 03/27/2003
at 04:22pm
by Joe Ferraro
Features
:9
Peavey EVH wolfgang, i mean, EVH, if it is good for Eddie (the greatest guitarist) it is good for me. Just bought it a few months ago, so its still a new experience for me. Before buying this guitar, I'd tried ibanez JS1000, Gibson Les pauls, Fender Strat, but I have to say that after 1 year of looking around I could decide that this is the perfect guitar for me. Great variety of tones (own the tone knob one, Floyd Rose). This guitar plays Jazz, Blues, Rock and Metal. Floyd Rose lying on the body and not floating really couldn't understand, but now I know the great sound and sustain this means (also a lot easier to change strings). Maple neck, very good looking, but very easy to get dirty too. Other features are just perfect, perfectly good frets, excellent mics. Excellent in appearence, i have a transparent amber flametop, and it looks so good I want to buy all the different colours just to see them...Also you can ajust the neck, angle it the way you like it, and last but not least, the D tuner, very useful for quick change of tuning of the 6th string...overall...Excellent features.
Sound
:10
I love playing Van Halen, GN'R (n? 1 Slash fan), love 80s metal, and it suits too, I play a lot of AC/DC, Led Zepp, Purple and stuff, and it amazingly suits all types of music. I use mi wolfie through a crate and a fender deluxe 90, I'm now on the search for a marshall jubilee. This guitar is made for jamming at high volumes and distorted, some people say this guitar doesn't have good clean sound, but I've maxed my brother's Fender and it doesn't distort at all. I love the great variety of tones you can get. Switching the tone knob to 1 and the tone switch to deep and then the tone knob to 10 and switch to treble, is going from one extreme to the other. You have millions of tone choices in between...really great aspect of guitar. What i love the most about the sound is the high output and powerfull bass sounds it has...for me its a 10
Action, Fit, & Finish
:No Opinion
Reliability/Durability
:10
Plays perfect live. Great hardshell case included with the guitar. I use the Dimarzio strap so it doesn't fall, I strongly recomend since I already screwed one guitar up by letting it fall. Seems like a reliable and durable instrument, but since its almost new, i can't really say.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Not dealt with them yet.
Overall Rating
:10
I have this guitar since a few months, but i can't get my fingers off the fretboard. I just can't stop playing it, actually I'm even playing right now while I write the review. I own a Les paul imitation, it is not good, but I have played with a lot of other guitars that I don't own. If you want a screaming guitar this is a perfect choice, but if you like floating floyd rose this doesn't have one, though you CAN make it float, but I'm not taking the risk. This is the perfect mixture between a vintage Gibson Les Paul and a cutting edge Ibanez Jem. I love the Sweet sound and the screeming harmonics. I love the awesome playability, it swifts. I love the floyd rose.All other guitars can't get to half what this can play, it plays hard, loud, sweet, its excelent. I now have the "good guitar sindrome" since i can't stand playing a worse guitar than this one, and if i have to buy another guitar I would buy a Gibson Les Paul , and a Ibanez Jem so I can have all the sounds I can have. But this one just sums them all up. If you are thinking of buying a wolfgang , i can't understand why you are even thinking, JUST BUY IT, it woun't let you down....remember buy a arched, tone knob and floyd rose, just like mine...it is 10 points guitar.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $950 used
Submitted 01/06/2003
at 02:48pm
by KEVIN
Email: kelder<at>paradigmdelivery dot com
Features
:9
USA made standard cherryburst. All the usual stuff. Finish is a 10+++. The unfinished neck is what makes this guitar feel like a old pair shoes that are molded to your feet. The comfort is like no other.
Sound
:10
I play classic rock, blues and some country. I use two tube marshalls with a chorus and delay. Ahhh the sound. So rich and full with fat and warm tones that are soothing to any ear. You don't need to crank the distortion on the amp with these pick ups. Just a mild distortion setting and they really sing with remarkable sustain. The clarity is amazing, it just feels like quality. The bridge p/u is outstanding, no thin sounding tin can on this one. The neck is clear and bluesy with no mud and reminds me of a Gibson SG neck sound but more clarity. I could not be more satisfied. The guitar is very versatile and you could create your own signature sound easily. The VH sound is legendary to me but the guitar does that and then some.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Action is low and very little buzz. Factory set up was almost perfect for my style. That, of coarse, depends on individual style. Fairly easy to adjust, just read the manual it is explains step by step to make the adjustments. No complaints about finish, frets or electronics.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Should last a life with a little care.
Customer Support
:10
I emailed peavey with a couple of question and had a very nice response in one day. They were very helpful and answered all question. They get a 10 for that unlike most manufactures
Overall Rating
:10
Playing 15 years and also own us strat and gibson LP. I almost went with a PRS but for the price I paid I could not have made a better choice. I like everything about the guitar.
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 12/29/2002
at 08:46am
by Mark the guitar player
Features
:10
1998 Pat Pending, Made in USA
Full scale neck
Solid top
Volume and pickup selector only
Twin "brown sound" humbuckers
Gold top finish
Floyd Rose Dtuna bridge
Schaler tuners
Birdseye maple neck
Sound
:10
This guitar is amazing. CAn be as dirty as you want or a clean tone that is just beautiful. I run it through a JCM800 50 watt 2 channel head with a vintage green back cabinet. It is as quiet as it comes and just sounds gorgeous. I have absolutely NOTHING bad to say about it.... It's very versitile
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
ACTION is amazing and everything came adjusted pretty much just the way I like it. The fit and finish is nothing but absolute gorgeous. I have played a LesPaul for the last 20years and decided I would like a change......I'm very glad for the choice I made
Reliability/Durability
:10
I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE OUNCE OF PROBLEMS AND GIG EVERY WEEKEND........WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR...........PERIOD
Customer Support
:10
I emailed Peavey for some info on the actual guitar and they responded within 2 days.... what more can you ask for?
Overall Rating
:10
Been playing for 23years, I own Les Pauls, Strats, Tele's, Kramer's, Takamines. I would not hesitate to buy another (actually I just did, a Hardtail version). The only negative about it would be it seems smaller then it is sometimes, other then that NOTHING.
<<<<<<< BUY ONE, YOU'LL LOVE IT - BESIDES WHATS THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN?......... YOU SELL IT - THAT WON'T BE A PROBLEM >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Product: Peavey EVH Wolfgang Price Paid: US $1300.00
Submitted 12/28/2002
at 08:50am
by Chase Anderton
Features
:9
2002 Purple flametop w/Floyd Rose and ROSEWOOD fretboard. Mine is the first Wolfgang I have seen with the rosewood fretboard, and I ordered mine that way for two reasons. 1) I think rosewood sounds a little warmer than the maple and 2) Anyone who's played a maple neck knows that they show dirt in a short amount of time. Impressive to me was the inclusion of custom case, beautiful owners manual, all hardware, and a signed certificate with the initials of everyone who had setup and quality checked the guitar. Fabulous!! I give my "9" rating, because the pickups are non-adjustable, and bolted directly to the body.
Sound
:8
I mainly play hard rock, this thing seems well suited for my style. I play mine through my PODxt, and it sounds great. One thing I noticed, is that is has tons of punchy mids. I had to re-EQ my previous settings on all of my patches to make it go away. The bridge pickup seems pretty hot, and I found myself using the volume knob on the guitar to clean it up a little. I'm a confirmed gain freak, but on 10 it seems like overkill to me. If I roll the volume to about 7 it's just right. This guitar has the best sustain and harmonics of any axe I've ever owned.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
I must confess, I wasn't a big fan of the body style at first. When shopping at my local music store I decided to pull one off the rack to try it out. This is, without a doubt, the best playing guitar I've ever touched! The action was perfect for me, which is really low, but not so low that you can't dig into the string just a little bit. The guitar was IN TUNE out of the box. For some reason, the guitar seems to have less tension than any other guitar I've played, which is strange because it has a standard 25.5" scale. There were no buzzing frets at all. The bridge was setup well, and a surprising feature I find myself using more and more is the D-tuna. I had owned another axe with one, but when dropping down to D, it was always out of tune. Not so with the Wolfgang! The finish was flawless, including the thick binding around the body. The neck feels like it was custom made for my hand. It's nice and narrow, and thick. Very, very impressed with the quality of my Wolfgang! My only minor complaint is the inability to adjust the pickups. Don't get me wrong, mine was perfect for me from the factory, but had I wanted to raise or lower them a little, I'd be out of luck. You CAN raise the pickups a little with shims, but it's a lot of work. I understand that the direct pickup mounting was actually designed that way on purpose to deliver a purer tone, but I'm a little picky and like to tweak. One last note, I have noticed that my pickups were not exactly centered. The high E string was about 1/8" of an inch away from the pole piece of the bridge pickup. What's odd, is that the other strings are relatively centered under the poles for the rest of the strings? I've looked at it for hours and can't figure out how it's possible. Anyway, overall it was well setup from the factory.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Built like a tank! I was really contemplating a Music Man Axis, but I like the idea of the graphite reinforced joint the Wolfgang has. Since the Floyd Rose is not floating, I have much more confidence in my tremelo than ever before. The finish is a polyester auto style clear coat, so it's much more durable than the nitrocellulose the Les Pauls have, and won't wear off from playing. Very sturdy feel.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I'm impressed with their website. They seem very easy to contact, and appear to be genuinely interested in their customers. I have'nt had a need to deal with them directly, but I know others who have that have really had good experiences.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for 18 years now. I really wish I had given the Wolfgang a chance sooner. I have to say, I really could care less if Eddie's name is on my axe. It had nothing to do with my purchase. In fact, I've never ever been a Peavey fan before now. Most recently, I've been bored and uninspired with playing. I bought a Jackson Soloist SL-1 (My dream guitar) less than a month ago, and was thoroughlly disappointed. It was a nightmare to play, and the quality was really poor. I took it back to the store, and decided to re-group and take my time with my next purchase. Up until recently, I had my heart set on a Gibson Les Paul, but I hated the finished neck, and really had a hard time justifying the outrageously high price for a piece of lumber. All of the Les Pauls the store had were riddled with poor workmanship. In fact, they had a $3000 custom that had binding that looked like it was installed by a monkey. The tops on most of them were barely figured, and the finishes were very inconsistent when looking at models with the same color. The Wolfgang, for me, was a great choice. It had the archtop I wanted, but was different enough for me to feel like I'm not following the crowd. First and foremost, it's unquestionably the best playing guitar for me, and that's the most important thing of all. My only minor quibbles I have with this guitar, is the non-adjustable pickups, and the reversal of the pickup selector. It seems unnatural to move it up for the bridge, however I spent less than 10 minutes and rotated it around, so life is good. Personal taste in an axe is totally unique, but if anyone's interested in a great playing, and high quality guitar, give the Wolfgang a try.