Which VAN HALEN Guitar Sounds Best?
Edward Van Halen created & played a lot of kick ass guitars… from the iconic Frankenstrat, which went from black n’ white to red n’ wild, to the drastically modded Shark, which began its life as an Ibanez Destroyer. He dabbled with Kramer and later went to a more conservative and efficient design through Ernie Ball & Peavey.
Luckily we can keep our saws and soldering irons in the tool shed as there’s EVH Guitars making great reproductions across the historical lineup. On a recent trip to SWEETWATER Headquarters I entered their secret lair and had the opportunity to play a wide variety of models back-to-back, through an EVH amp similar to the one Edward played on his final tour, all to compare how they felt & delivered. The results were unexpected! Hear the differences and let me know in the Comments which you preferred…
CHAPTERS
00:00 – SWEETWATER HQ
00:19 – FRANKIE GUITAR
02:20 – CIRCLES GUITAR
03:51 – SHARK GUITAR
05:46 – GREEN WOLFGANG CUSTOM
07:57 – NATURAL WOLFGANG CUSTOM
#VAN #HALEN #Guitar #Sounds
Originally posted by UCVkBBRhDVFXUdEqUJwtdZaQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCQ4Ew04er8
Really nice guitar! I wish I owned one of these????
How do you think that a guitar could affect how the eound cleans up if you turn down the volume ? The only thing i can think of is fhat the guitars have slightly different capacitors and pots, is that what you were trying to compare ?
Has DZ played the ‘78 Eruption? Curios about that????. Hardtail Wolfies and the ‘78 are the only ones I would consider purchasing. No Floyds for me????
Noshall complete! ????
Say hi to Kurt Morgan for us back here in Rhode Island!
Nice job Dweezil that was fantastic. For some reason I like the Destroyer/Explorer tone the best. Eddie recorded most of Van Halen (1) on a Les Paul, Flying V, and Frankenstein for Eruption…even switched out on the '79 Japan Toue between Eruption and YRGM to maintain consistency with the album….but probably because it went out of tune after the dive bomb.
Would be interesting to know which pickups they put in all the axes! The Circle and the Shark actually sound like they were not using the same body wood as the originals when played without the amp. For me it's the Frankenstein which comes closest to the early VH stuff and the Wolfgangs deliver period correct… You got the vibe btw., always a breeze to listen to!
I used to have the Frankie replica and the Shark! Both amazing sounding guitars. Awesome video!
How are you going to show “all” the VH guitars and leave out the EBMM and Peavey Wolfgang. The Peavey is my personal favorite, nothing else has those pickups and it has the best neck.
Instead of doing this EVH 10 minute commercial, it would have been nice to approach it scientifically. Add in the Ernie Ball and the Peavey. But, I'm afraid that folks would see how poorly the EVH stuff stacks up against the other guitars. And yes, I know. I own the EBMM EVH, Peavey Wolfgang and USA Wolfgang Special, and the EVH Frankenstein. I have owned the EVH USA Wolfgang and Mexican special, and standard. I sold the EVH Wolfgangs. They were like lessor replicas of the EBMM and Peavey. The EVHs just didn't measure up. Sorry EVH brand fans. I had no love lost on the EVH USA. It was a first year. I had 6 to choose from, and honestly, they were all pretty lousy. This one I believe was never right from the factory. You just couldn't make the guitar right. Really poor Quality all around.
Dweezil rocks. I dare say underrated in the guitar world. Imagine having Frank Zappa as your father and EVH as a friend and mentor. Mind blowing. ????????????
Should’ve included the Ernie Ball Music Man Axis.
Is he palm muting the Shark guitar while listening for the “stringiness”?
Dwezzil is badass and a close friend of Edwards no doubt, but this is a weird video.
I have a Red/White/Black Striped Series that I’ve had since 2016 (when I was 17) and it’s still one of my favourite guitars that I have, such a killer-sounding guitar and everything else still sounds just as massive. Killer demos, man, good shit
The one that Eddie was playing. It's not the guitar.
Outside of Wolf, few people better to paly through these guitars than you, Dweezil. Really appreciate your talent and keeping the memory of both your dad and his / your friend Eddie alive.
Hey Dweezil,
I work near (well, I sell guitars and he repairs) the guy who fixed your SG headstock so well. Joe Albright, he runs the repair shop at Milano Music here in (downtown) Mesa, Arizona.
John Des Portes
Milano Music
Mesa
"The 'circles' guitar is actually much heavier in real life.." (How would he know? Because he actually owns the real one.)
Really great and interesting video. They do sound different. I think I liked the Frankie tone best.
Mind you it would’ve been nice to hear the Ibanez destroyer in its original form before Eddie butchered it. Also he played a Flying V on Hot for teacher.
Lets be honest, an old school Ibanez Destroyer sounds better than all of them.
I had a really nicely made Japanese Wolfgang Special from the first run they did there before they moved production. It always sounded weak and trebly to my ears rather than balanced. Sold it and moved on after two years of fighting with it.
The Franken Strat is my favorite.
Dweezil, please demo the original Circles Guitar that was repainted by Ed which became the Rasta that he gifted you. Thanks!
I hit the Dweezil subscribe button so fast I knocked my drink off the table……
EVH needs to produce a Rasta guitar. I'd immediately buy 2.
Did his dad Frank like EVH?
The Frankie is the only one I don't have yet ????????