Frankie Relic Pickup Question

**h*bunter** · 10.22.20, 07:33 AM

Hi

With the Frankie Relic, does anyone know why it comes with the Wolfgang pickup instead of the Frankenstein pickup?

What pickup was in the expensive "tribute" model from a few year back?

Has anyone put in the Frankenstein pickup and how does it sound vs the Wolfgang pup?

**Mikew9788** · 10.22.20, 12:00 PM

I got my Frankie relic the day before ed died. I was wondering the same thing about the pickup. I will say it sounds great but I have multiple evh guitars with wolfgang pickups so I tracked down an evh frankenstein pickup. Had to buy it from a shop in the Phillipines because I could not find one anywhere else. DHL says it is out for delivery today so hopefully I can provide some feedback soon. BTW I love the guitar and think it plays just as good as my expensive usa evh guitars. I added the correct reflectors to the back and just got the correct 1971 quarter. I was holding the guitar when I found out ed died. Totally freaky considering how much I loved the guy. To say I was blindsided would be an understatement.

**h*bunter** · 10.22.20, 12:33 PM

Yes. Was a sad day for sure.

Can't wait for the feedback. Thanks

**maltiero** · 10.22.20, 02:42 PM

I bought the EVH frakenstein pickup years ago to install in my original Kramer pacer. It sounds amazing. Certainly different than the Wolf, but not in a better or worse way. Both pickups are great and you won’t go wrong with either.

**fudd** · 10.22.20, 03:51 PM

I would look for a 1959 tribute pickup of some sort. I always got and get the best tones out of those. Specifically one.

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**smithtone** · 10.22.20, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by h*bunter

Hi

With the Frankie Relic, does anyone know why it comes with the Wolfgang pickup instead of the Frankenstein pickup?

What pickup was in the expensive "tribute" model from a few year back?

Has anyone put in the Frankenstein pickup and how does it sound vs the Wolfgang pup?

To answer the Why part, Fender makes the Wolfgang humbucker while Seymour Duncan makes the Frankenstein, so it's obviously cheaper for them to use the Wolfgang. They would probably also argue that the Wolfgang sounds better with basswood...

**Volumeto11** · 10.22.20, 04:51 PM

As maltiero says, you can't go wrong with either pickup. I have a Frankenstein in my old Westone Spectrum superstrat, and I absolutely love that pickup. Tone from the early years? Sure. Aggressive clean tone? Absolutely. Shred-your-face-metal tone? Yup, no face left. The Wolfgang pickups in my Special are, to me, different. The Wolfgang PU is also super-versatile, but I'd say it's a little warmer and a little smoother. That's not a bad thing, just different.

As for the "why," I don't believe the Wolfgang pickup that you can buy off-the-shelf is what is in these guitars. I believe what is in the Standard, Special, and Striped series is an import model, as opposed to what's in the Wolfgang USA or what you can buy as a replacement (and please, if I'm incorrect on this, someone correct me. I will NOT take it personally!).

Several years ago, the EVH Gear store sold a relic version of the Frankenstein pickup. That would look awesome in the striped-series Frankestein relic model. Maybe you can find one on eBay or Reverb?

**Dutchie5150** · 10.22.20, 10:46 PM

I've got one of the "Relic" Franky pup. Could never bring myself to put in in a guitar though. They pop up on eBay every now and then, but the prices are crazy. Can only imagine what they will be going for now...

**Mikew9788** · 10.23.20, 06:31 AM

I would have loved a relic one with his signature but I dident see any and im sure the price would be insane. I got mine from a shop in the Philippines for regular price. There was one on ebay for over 400 dollars and that was not a relic. I hope to get mine in the guitar soon.

**Jedi McFly** · 10.23.20, 08:56 AM

If anybody's having issues sourcing them you could consider The Pariah Pasadena Black - it's a clone of this pickup. I've got one in my Frankenstrat and my 5150 and it's spot on if not better than the official one I previously had.

**MF5150** · 10.27.20, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Dutchie5150

I've got one of the "Relic" Franky pup. Could never bring myself to put in in a guitar though. They pop up on eBay every now and then, but the prices are crazy. Can only imagine what they will be going for now...

Over a grand or even two grand (I think) is what I saw.

Fucking outrageous.

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**Dutchie5150** · 10.27.20, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by MF5150

Over a grand or even two grand (I think) is what I saw.

Fucking outrageous.

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Yeah, its frigging crazy now... I couldnt believe how much it was when I bought it ($400 AUD) No way I'd be paying the prices they are going for now. Just glad I got one when I did.

**KS 5150** · 10.28.20, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by MF5150

Over a grand or even two grand (I think) is what I saw.

Fucking outrageous.

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Jesus. If you're gonna spend that kind of money on a pickup, might as well go for an original PAF. EVH's signature notwithstanding.

**MF5150** · 10.28.20, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by KS 5150

Jesus. If you're gonna spend that kind of money on a pickup, might as well go for an original PAF. EVH's signature notwithstanding.

Exactly. And guaranteed you’ll get a closer approximation if what Ed was using in the early days going that route or some other aftermarket PAF like a Fralin or Duncan or Brandonwound.

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