Charvel San Dimas vs EVH Wolfgang Standard?

[ledvedder]

A friend and I were having a debate last night over which guitar is better. I have a '98 Peavey Wolfgang that has been my #1 for 20 years, so I was obviously partial to a Wolfgang. But I've never played the EVH branded Wolfgang. I've also never played a Charvel, so I can't really speak from any experience there. I was curious what you guys think.

These are the 2 specific ones we were comparing.

https://www.zzounds.com/item--CHA2966002

https://www.zzounds.com/item--EVH5107701

 

[skullfxr]

The USA Peavey Wolfgangs smoke the EVH ones IMO. I have owned several USA Wolfies and loved them.

As far as the EVH v. Charvel, it's personal choice. Just depends on what you like. I don't buy new guitars, I always go used, but you could find a hell of a Charvel on the used market that would blow the new charvel and EVH out of the water.

Aside from that, they feel very different, sound a little different and could both be fine instruments if they suited your needs.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have 2 USA EVH WGs and a Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod (MIM). I bought the Charvel because of the compound radius, and while the neck is nice, I prefer the EVH necks.

Personally I'd sell the Charvel before I sold the WGs, but I think the neck is the difference maker for me, as I like the way they both sound.

 

[chadprsman]

I like the charvel dk24s with the baked maple necks, feel great. I switched pus to friedmans. Feels like an evh (compound radius), no pressure to sound or play like a legend, but I can dream...

 

[romanianreaper]

I've owned the Peavey and EVH cheaper Wolfgang guitars and agree with Swamp on the Peaveys being better. To me they felt more solid and like a more expensive guitar. The EVH Wolfgang was a nice guitar but I knew it would not come close to a USA one. The Peavey one felt so good that I didn't even think about it not being a USA Standard.

Now, I'm a Charvel guy and have had several variations of the San Dimas. The worst was probably back around 2005 or so when Charvel was trying to make their comeback so to speak. I think this was before Fender took over because it was a different headstock. Anyway, they were not the Charvels that we know and love, that's for sure. Then I had a USA one in Green Slime I bought from Chubtone new for $800. I still don't sleep some nights at the thought of getting rid of that guitar. USA made for $800 new!!!

I don't own any of the new Mexican ones but have played a few in stores. I played one that was noisy, went out of tune, and was "clanky" sounding like loose parts. Then I played another one that felt like a USA one (I have a Warren DeMartini sig USA). So, seems to be hit or miss with those. For me, the Charvel is better but to be honest they both have killer necks and play awesome. As mentioned, would be a personal preference.

 

[ledvedder]

Which is heavier? I love the weight of my Peavey Wolfgang. But I have no idea what the Charvels weigh.

 

[skullfxr]

I have not been impressed by the MIM Charvels I have tried. Out of the four or five of the ones were OK, IF you were to do simple things, like touch up the fret ends, set up and a little bit here and there. Inconsistent at the least.

 

[romanianreaper]

Which is heavier? I love the weight of my Peavey Wolfgang. But I have no idea what the Charvels weigh.

I would think the Wolfgang would be a tad heavier but completely pulling that out of my Alder ass...

 

[skullfxr]

Which is heavier? I love the weight of my Peavey Wolfgang. But I have no idea what the Charvels weigh.

I would think the Wolfgang would be a tad heavier but completely pulling that out of my Alder ass...

+1

 

[Racerxrated]

The necks are very different to me. I have wanted to buy a Wolfie a few times, but while my Charvel USA necks are perfect for me I found the EVH to be just too damn small. I'm not a baseball bat LP neck fan at all..but the difference between the Charvel and Wolfie necks are a deal breaker. I picked one up at a GC a few yrs back and I though the damn thing was a mini guitar lol. Sounded nice n fat though.
If you go Charvel, I'd try to find a good used USA from 08-09. Those can rival Custom shop Charvels in playability, as I have one that outplayed 2 Custom shops. I've had a bunch of USAs and they've all been good and a few great. MIJ are close to the USAs but I don't like the rolled fret board as much as the USAs. The MiM, I have heard they are much better now but the earlier ones I'd stay away from. My SoCal weighs about 9lbs, just a shade under. Pretty heavy for a strat and very resonant.