USA Wolfgang

**Cornbread** · 03.29.21, 07:43 AM

wanting to take the plunge into a USA model. after 3 weeks of calling i have found out that the extra 2k only gets you stainless frets, usa pickups and a tilted back headstock, block inlays. i was really surprised that it has the cheaper korean floyd rose on it. for you guys who have a USA model is the build quality and woods worth the 2k markup?

**nobozos** · 03.29.21, 11:18 AM

I wouldn't be too disappointed in the FR-1000 EVH branded Korean Floyd. It is supposed to be made to the same specifications and from the same materials as the OFR, just produced in Korea. That being said, yeah, there is probably a difference between a OFR and the FR-1000, but it's not like a Floyd Rose Special, where they are using cheaper materials.

I would try to find a Japanese or even Chinese Wolfgang Special used. They had the same Stainless frets, USA Wolfgang pickups, the "thin-skin" finish like the USA, and they came with a case. The MIM Specials are great, but they just don't have the feature set that the older Specials did.

**Cornbread** · 03.29.21, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by nobozos

I wouldn't be too disappointed in the FR-1000 EVH branded Korean Floyd. It is supposed to be made to the same specifications and from the same materials as the OFR, just produced in Korea. That being said, yeah, there is probably a difference between a OFR and the FR-1000, but it's not like a Floyd Rose Special, where they are using cheaper materials.

I would try to find a Japanese or even Chinese Wolfgang Special used. They had the same Stainless frets, USA Wolfgang pickups, the "thin-skin" finish like the USA, and they came with a case. The MIM Specials are great, but they just don't have the feature set that the older Specials did.

thanks. i have played a japanese and really wanting the 5a flamed maple USA one. want a carved top. was looking at a wolfgang special then decided i really fell in love with the 5a flamed maple USA one. so i am pretty set on the USA. glad to know the fr 1000 is not a issue. after speaking with someone actually knowledgeable at EVH they put my mind at ease. I like that attention to detail and woods are hand picked and of the highest quality. so i hope after 5 month wait i will get a monster player that is beautiful. resale isn't what im in to. i want to play it. worst case is i send it back if its not what i want.

thanks again for the info and suggestions. plus my stimulus check is helping me splurge on a really nice new one. with the two stimulus checks im getting it for 2k off lol

**Brett** · 03.29.21, 06:20 PM

There is nothing wrong with the Korean made Floyds. They are the absolutely same materials as the ones made in Germany. They are just put together in Korea. The only difference could be in the workmanship and I honestly haven’t found much difference between the two. Like was mentioned earlier it’s not like a Floyd Rose Special which has cheaper materials. I don’t think the Specials are that bad either though.

**Dave not David** · 03.30.21, 09:45 AM

My personal recommendation is to buy two Wolfgang Specials. One import from Japan or China that has stainless steel frets and chrome hardware with American electronics, and a Mexican special with the jumbo nickel frets and an archtop body.

Combine the parts from the two, pretty much putting everything on the archtop body.

You then pretty much get a USA Wolfgang without a tilt-back headstock, and then a second rocking guitar that is still pretty good in its own right. You can sell the second guitar for almost as much as you paid for it, or keep it and have two Wolfgangs for less than a USA.

I have done this with about 5 or 6 pairs of Specials. I like them, they're pretty great. I did own a USA Wolf for two years while building these out, and the quality of those specials is just as good if you put them together right.

**nobozos** · 03.30.21, 10:41 AM

Or, you could get a 1st Gen Wolfgang Special and send it to Ed Roman to have him re-top it. LOL!.

Sorry, that's sort of an inside joke for people who've been here long enough to remember when that was fashionable to do and the topic of a lot of posts. Sort of a blast from the past.

**speates** · 03.30.21, 10:42 AM

I've heard about Ed Roman and read some of his rants on his website... didn't he get caught doing something shady, like drawing on top of a guitar with a marker and then claiming it was "highly figured" maple, or something like that?

**nobozos** · 03.30.21, 11:08 AM

Yeah, I don't remember if he got in any trouble, but I do remember him making a lot of money off of guys that were sending him OLP Axis guitars and getting them re-topped in EVH configuration. He was doing a lot of the Peavey EXP guitar re-tops as well. I remember reading his rants and about why his stuff was better than PRS, and shaking my head. I always thought the guy was kind of a joke myself. Not to say that he may not be a good craftsman, but boy, the guy thinks a lot of himself.

**KS 5150** · 03.30.21, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by nobozos

Yeah, I don't remember if he got in any trouble, but I do remember him making a lot of money off of guys that were sending him OLP Axis guitars and getting them re-topped in EVH configuration. He was doing a lot of the Peavey EXP guitar re-tops as well. I remember reading his rants and about why his stuff was better than PRS, and shaking my head. I always thought the guy was kind of a joke myself. Not to say that he may not be a good craftsman, but boy, the guy thinks a lot of himself.

Thought a lot of himself. He's been dead since 2011....but I'm sure the fakes live on in his memory lol.

**Brett** · 03.31.21, 06:00 PM

Didn’t realize he’s been dead that long. The guy was a major fucking asshole.

**KS 5150** · 04.01.21, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Brett

Didn’t realize he’s been dead that long. The guy was a major fucking asshole.

He was. I went to his shop in Vegas in spring 2009, and even his staff were pricks...did have some cool stuff tho. 1st time I ever saw a Shark in person, as well as a Megazone and a George Lynch Skully.

**joezlo** · 04.01.21, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Cornbread

wanting to take the plunge into a USA model. after 3 weeks of calling i have found out that the extra 2k only gets you stainless frets, usa pickups and a tilted back headstock, block inlays. i was really surprised that it has the cheaper korean floyd rose on it. for you guys who have a USA model is the build quality and woods worth the 2k markup?

I have become a firm believer that the standards are the way to go now.

Why?

1 - USA Wolfs are pricey & an investment: the minute you play it the investment lowers.

B - Even specials are pricey if you're going to do mods on it

iii - I'm super comfortable with the cost of a standard to mod them any way I want and play the living daylights out of it without worrying "OMG! There's a dent in it! Oh, I have to keep the original parts in a box so I don't lose them. I want to put eyebolts on this guitar but don't want to crack the finish. ETC"

Each axe in the EVH line is stellar, but only you can determine which one is best for what you intend to do with it.

**ScottyBHarris** · 04.01.21, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by Dave not David

My personal recommendation is to buy two Wolfgang Specials. One import from Japan or China that has stainless steel frets and chrome hardware with American electronics, and a Mexican special with the jumbo nickel frets and an archtop body.

Combine the parts from the two, pretty much putting everything on the archtop body.

You then pretty much get a USA Wolfgang without a tilt-back headstock, and then a second rocking guitar that is still pretty good in its own right. You can sell the second guitar for almost as much as you paid for it, or keep it and have two Wolfgangs for less than a USA.

I have done this with about 5 or 6 pairs of Specials. I like them, they're pretty great. I did own a USA Wolf for two years while building these out, and the quality of those specials is just as good if you put them together right.

I’ve done this as well.

I’ve also swapped parts from EVH Specials to EVH Standards.

I agree, if you put it together right, you have a Great quality guitar.

**MF5150** · 04.01.21, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dave not David

My personal recommendation is to buy two Wolfgang Specials. One import from Japan or China that has stainless steel frets and chrome hardware with American electronics, and a Mexican special with the jumbo nickel frets and an archtop body.

Combine the parts from the two, pretty much putting everything on the archtop body.

You then pretty much get a USA Wolfgang without a tilt-back headstock, and then a second rocking guitar that is still pretty good in its own right. You can sell the second guitar for almost as much as you paid for it, or keep it and have two Wolfgangs for less than a USA.

I have done this with about 5 or 6 pairs of Specials. I like them, they're pretty great. I did own a USA Wolf for two years while building these out, and the quality of those specials is just as good if you put them together right.

I’m not sure this is the most sound advice but if it’s worked for you, all the power to ya!

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