Charvel San Dimas vs EVH Wolfgang Special

[M@tt C]

I'm in the market for rocker in the sub $1500 tier, and both of these are on my radar.

Anyone done a direct comparison?

 

[sahlomonic]

Not exclusively, but every time I go to GC to check out amps those are the two guitars I almost always use. The EVH Wolfgang pickups aren't quite my preference, but the guitar feels good in the hands.

I'm no help here, but I like both.

 

[MrDowntown]

YMMV, but...
both are great playing guitars IMO, and incredibly hard to beat for the money.
keep in mind:

- they sound diff - Charvel pups tend to be more consistent. WG pups can/use to be hit or miss (dark to me). some pups were great and others were yuk. i think for a lot of guys, a pup swap is imminent with both of these. if you think you may want to go that route, keep in mind not every pup will fit in the WG w/o some rounding of the legs. also, the FR on the WG is slightly recessed, and the SD is fully recessed. to me that was a big deal. i'm just not a huge fan of the fully recessed trems.

- they play diff - the scale is the same, but to me, the WG feels/plays like a shorter guitar, especially once you get past 12. i actually prefer the WG in this regard. the neck shapes are also diff, IIRC. Charvel more flat and wide, WG smaller and tighter radius.

- they hang diff - see above about playing diff. same applies here

- a curve ball would be try the EVH 5150 series. same "s" shape body as the SD, i guess there are some slight diff. you get the HH pup confi with a 3-way toggle in the lower horn. they, imo are more closely comparable to how a Charvel SD plays, only with the EVH pickups

definitely try to play before purchase, or have a solid return policy in your hip pocket.

 

[mcstinger]

I would say the main difference is the neck. I love the neck on my Charvel SoCal, but was absolutely not comfortable with the WG neck. I have also Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder and it's a great guitar as well, fun to play. Feels bulkier, sits better on body when playing standing.

 

[gbsmusic]

I've tried several wolfgangs over the years and never bonded with them, to me the pickups just don't work for my ears. The Charvel's on the other hand always deliver!

 

[thenine]

i have both and agree with Mr.Downtown. The WG feel shorter. I like that about them. The neck is also round or C shaped while the Charvel is flatter. Some days I like one more than the other and other days it is reversed. Both are good and amazing value for the money. You really need to own one and live with it for a while. I don't really think you can get to know a guitar, and if it's for you unless you bring it home, play it through your own rig and live with it a bit. Find one of either in a color you like and see is the only way IMO.

One note about the WG Specials - the arch top guitars do not have a forearm cut. That can bother me sometimes (almost like an LP). Where your right arm rubs on the binding - I much prefer the Standard with the forearm cut out or slope that makes it much more comfortable.

 

[Shask]

You want a wide neck or a narrow neck?

 

[the rossness]

I own both. WG would be my pick. I like Basswood over alder and ash. I also like the neck shape more on the WG. It's a little bit thicker and more comfortable for me. Charvel necks used to be a fast C shape and lately, they seem more like a Wizard shape. Its easy to change pickups in a Charvel. The WG on the other hand is a PITA. The pickup cavities are drilled shallow and most pickups "pickups legs" even the short legs, are too long for the cavity. Charvel will have a floating tremolo. WG will have a dive-only trem, but it will have a d-tuna which is great to have. Build quality is usually equal and pretty good.

 

[fek]

Charvel necks used to be a fast C shape and lately, they seem more like a Wizard shape.

Played a couple Charvel's yesterday at Sweetwater and I noticed this as well. Love the width on Charvel necks but the new ones were too thin on the back for me. At least the lower priced ones that I played in the store anyway. Didn't feel like the 6 older Charvel's that I have had.

The WG's I played had a little more thickness on the necks but the narrow width made me feel like I was strangling them. Maybe I would get used to it but being mainly an LP guy, not so sure.

 

[M@tt C]

Thanks guys.

I do prefer a wider 1 11/16 nut width, but I don't really like thin profiles.

I have a guitar with a floating Floyd, but a dive only with a D-tuna would be handy.

The GC near me has a WG Special in stock so I think I'll take it for a spin tomorrow.

 

[Racerxrated]

I would say the main difference is the neck. I love the neck on my Charvel SoCal, but was absolutely not comfortable with the WG neck. I have also Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder and it's a great guitar as well, fun to play. Feels bulkier, sits better on body when playing standing.

Agree; the last time I played a Wolfie it was fun and easy to play for about 10 minutes; then I started to fatigue a little. The neck seems a bit too thin for me Vs the Charvel which is perfect for my hand.