EVH Strat-like (non-wolfgang) guitars: Are there differences in quality?

[The Filth]

Hi folks,

I'm happily in the market for an 80's style bolt-on neck Strat-style guitar a la EVH in the 80's. I've played all the one's you'd expect in my search--the new Kramers, Fender "Super Strat" reissue, a few Charvel's etc--but then on a whim I picked up one of the EVH Frankenstein relics (the 2,000$ one). I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY! I'm partial to EVH's style guitars anyways, but it was so refined and quality. It immediately put me in "the zone" as a player. Clearly I had found my winner. More expensive than I planned on, but worth it, right?

However, ironically enough, I have yet to buy one for one reason: it looks JUST LIKE the iconic EVH guitar. That's super cool as an EVH fan, but a bit much to make it your main axe, you know? I'm inspired by EVH, but I don't want to BE (a shittier version) of him!

So, naturally I'm looking for basically that guitar, or as close as I can get, without the iconic striped EVH aesthetic. To put it simply: are there differences in quality between the 1,000$ - 2,000$ guitars (and everything in between)? Like, are they made in different places, use lower quality parts, etc? OR are the price differences just because of the added labor and cost of recreating the iconic stripes and dead-on relicing process?

Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Max

 

[PDC]

If you are comfortable with assembly / action-intonation / wiring, i would STRONGLY recommend snapping up some parts and assembling your own weapons. I love this sh*t and wouldn’t trade my few-hundred-dollar builds for any
‘boutique’ multi-thousand-dollar bolt-on guitar.

Pick your body, pick your neck, pick your hardware and electronics and have some fun!!!

 

[Bronco]

If you are comfortable with assembly / action-intonation / wiring, i would STRONGLY recommend snapping up some parts and assembling your own weapons. I love this sh*t and wouldn’t trade my few-hundred-dollar builds for any
‘boutique’ multi-thousand-dollar bolt-on guitar.

Pick your body, pick your neck, pick your hardware and electronics and have some fun!!!

Love that natural Dinky with the gold hardware!

 

[Racerxrated]

Once I played an 08 USA Charvel pro mod I was hooked on that neck profile. Home for me. Since then (back in 2010) I've been through 25 08/09s (with a few Japan 2011s mixed in there) plus 3 modern custom shops, and 4 original 83-85 USA Charvels. Most of those I'd buy at GC online so I could return if they didn't measure up. Out of all those my absolute faves have been 4 08/09s that are incredible easy playing and have good to really good tone; they are so good I sold the custom shops since I didn't play them much haha. The early 80s originals have the best tone though..but those 4 08/09 are just effortless to play. I have 2 left of the 4. Nowadays these guitars can go for custom shop prices depending on condition, so if you find one they will be 1500-2K if clean.
That said, the best bang for your buck IMO has to be a Chubtone. Made in the USA, and by a guy who owns many vintage and more recent USA Charvels so he's very familiar with the brand. His builds are custom shop quality and will cost less than 2K.
Highly recommended.

 

[charvelstrat81]

If you don't mind waiting for it order a Chubtone. He will build you what you want. Very old school Charvel feel and quality for under 2K.
If you need something sooner that EVH relic for $2K is pretty good but it is ai bit high in price for what you get.
The Chubtone is a much better deal overall. You can also build your own for under 2K but i have to say buying used is not a bad thing.
Just recently i scored a 2009 TMZ natural series Charvel with case for $1700 in dead mint condition.
The thing is a beast. sounds like a les paul and plays/feels like my old original i bought back in 1982.
another option is a pro mod Charvel So cal. what makes them cool is under that pickguard is a swimming pool route so you can swap pg's and use what ever pu' combo you want.

 

[Rick Lee]

I suggest doing a partscaster build. This one here is a Kramer Focus 3000 body I got on eBay for $60 and everything else I had laying around. There may be $350 worth of parts here.

partscaster by

I never liked this neck, so I did spring for a ridiculously expensive Musikraft birdseye maple neck and just got it on last week. But I absolutely LOVE this guitar and it's a total beater. Oh, that volume knob is a push/pull pot and wired to coil split.

 

[tallcoolone]

If you are comfortable with assembly / action-intonation / wiring, i would STRONGLY recommend snapping up some parts and assembling your own weapons. I love this sh*t and wouldn’t trade my few-hundred-dollar builds for any
‘boutique’ multi-thousand-dollar bolt-on guitar.

Pick your body, pick your neck, pick your hardware and electronics and have some fun!!!

Yup, this. Occasionally you end up with a dog but for me needing a huge neck profile it is the only way to go. “Fast” necks are impossible for me to play, my hands are too big. My last couple: painted the dragon tele myself

 

[WarHed]

I recently built an EVH partscaster using a SGW 10-16" neck, I really recommend that if you go that route.

 

[paulyc]

Look for a Wayne too, GREAT guitars. I bought Mailman’s off the forum here, so glad I did, As others have said, Chubtones are great too.

 

[Kyrpajyra]

If you are comfortable with assembly / action-intonation / wiring, i would STRONGLY recommend snapping up some parts and assembling your own weapons. I love this sh*t and wouldn’t trade my few-hundred-dollar builds for any
‘boutique’ multi-thousand-dollar bolt-on guitar.

Pick your body, pick your neck, pick your hardware and electronics and have some fun!!!

I suggest doing a partscaster build. This one here is a Kramer Focus 3000 body I got on eBay for $60 and everything else I had laying around. There may be $350 worth of parts here.

part
I never liked this neck, so I did spring for a ridiculously expensive Musikraft birdseye maple neck and just got it on last week. But I absolutely LOVE this guitar and it's a total beater. Oh, that volume knob is a push/pull pot and wired to coil split.

Have a partscaster myself and can't recommend this route enough. Best fucking guitar i've ever had and smokes IMO some of the 3000€ guitars i've played.

 

[Geo]

Have built a few Warmoth partscasters. Every one of them, sounded great and played great. Depending on choices, I would say $900-$1400.

 

[Geo]

https://www.stewmac.com/kits-and-pr...-fcfc-483f-a9d9-83630216b38c&dlv-mlid=3256236

 

[Fiesta Red]

I would also recommend Chubtone. I have 3 and would recommened them over anything in that price range. I also have a Charvel DeMartini and an EVH Bumblebee, and had a Frankie that I sold. Chubtone's are made to order and just plain smoke. I have a star model being built by them which will be my 4th. I think the superstrats that are being cranked out today are really cool, but nothing beats a Chubtone.