I'm a glutton for punishment: Wolfgang GAS! Owners' advice?

[napalmdeath]

I know I had bad luck with a couple Wolfgangs.. The first one had an obvious defect, and the second one had tuning issues. Every time I did a dive, it would return to pitch an octave sharp. Like, crazy sharp. But, to be fair, in my hard-headedness, I never took it to a pro tech. Well, I want another. This one is just sexy as hell, and I have it in my cart, debating... I absolutely loved the necks, I loved the feel, and the pickups screamed. I'm looking for Wolfgang owner feedback.. Are you digging yours? Did it need professional attention?

The thing throwing me off is the flush-mount Floyd. I dig the concept for drop-D, and see it as a huge plus. But, I can set up a full float Floyd with the best of them. My Jackson plays like a dream, stays in tune for days, and I set it up to play and perform flawlessly. What's the wrench in these flush mounts? What's the key to setting up low action, and tuning stability? What would cause it to go way sharp returning to pitch, when I know the nut wasn't the culprit?

I want this bad boy right here... Like, really bad...

 

[ned911]

I've got 3 PV's (Standard stop tail, flame top special and a gold top special w/ rosewood board) and 2 EBMM's (sport and SS) so I feel your pain

Never had a bad PV version or EBMM

 

[guitup too]

Having owned a couple dozen Wolfgangs over the last 20+ years I would recommend a USA Peavey or EVH, Japanese or even Chinese EVH Wolfgang Special (stainless frets). The MIM models can be ok and you may find a great one, but the USA and Japan versions seem to be more consistent in quality.
YMMV

 

[MrDowntown]

i'd agree with guitup too ... go USA is ya can.
i've had a Mx...it was very meh, to me, if i'm being honest, i didn't find as good as the Mx charvel i had.
I've had a Jap WG...it was very nice. to me though the neck was a little too small, narrow. the E string would roll off the board continually.

to your comments and questions about the flush FR, and tuning issues on dives... man i don't know what to tell you. i remember reading all the shit you were dealing with on the Red WG/Ebony board (which was sexy AF, btw). and really...if you don't have a tech the "knows" floyds, you're better off to try to set it up yourself...but it sounds like you've got some folks local that know their stuff.

w/o a bunch a work... to get low action on my 5150 series.... all i did was drop the pickup side of the bridge, using my gage to where it was low enough for me, and then set the springs and tuning from there. i've seen/read of people that will shim the necks on the WGs so they can go really low...there are some vids floating around on YT of guys doing that... if you want to go to the effort.

the white is sexy as well... i swear our tastes in guitars is very similar...

best of luck!

 

[napalmdeath]

i'd agree with guitup too ... go USA is ya can.
i've had a Mx...it was very meh, to me, if i'm being honest, i didn't find as good as the Mx charvel i had.
I've had a Jap WG...it was very nice. to me though the neck was a little too small, narrow. the E string would roll off the board continually.

to your comments and questions about the flush FR, and tuning issues on dives... man i don't know what to tell you. i remember reading all the shit you were dealing with on the Red WG/Ebony board (which was sexy AF, btw). and really...if you don't have a tech the "knows" floyds, you're better off to try to set it up yourself...but it sounds like you've got some folks local that know their stuff.

w/o a bunch a work... to get low action on my 5150 series.... all i did was drop the pickup side of the bridge, using my gage to where it was low enough for me, and then set the springs and tuning from there. i've seen/read of people that will shim the necks on the WGs so they can go really low...there are some vids floating around on YT of guys doing that... if you want to go to the effort.

the white is sexy as well... i swear our tastes in guitars is very similar...

best of luck!

Man, it's tough to find a good one. I'd even consider a MIJ hardtail, with fine-tune bridge. Those are pretty sweet!

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I have a MIM stealth from about 2 years ago and it is awesome. It is always in tune and sounds great, so I use this for my live shows. I go from song to song without even checking the tuning most of the time because it is so reliable. For reference, I have a USA WG, USA HP, and USA HP2 and have had numerous HPs/WGs over the years.The USA WG is my favorite but spends a lot of time in the case- this MIM gets most of my play time. Just throwing this out there- not sure if I got a "good" one (doubt it as I bought it sight unseen online) or most of the MIM are this way.

I like using this one live because I play dive bars and assume this is more replaceable than a 90s Wolf. FYI I get pro setups on my guitars but not this one- seems great out of the box, I may have screwed in the Floyd to make it more decked/dive only and slapped on thicker strings for D/dropC

 

[skullfxr]

Get a USA Peavey and a trem stop. Worked great for me for a long time. If you go peavey USA or go home.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Why would you need a trem stop?
It's easily decked as is and if you want no trem action at all just get a hardtail version (?)

 

[MrDowntown]

I’ll add this regarding my MIM WG... when I said it was “meh”.... it was the bridge pup that I found meh. The guitar build, stability of tuning , etc gave me no problems.

In retrospect I wish I would’ve just swapped the pup out... but hey, I’m a bit of a junkie. And junkies flip gear right.

Matter of fact...ya know..I’m going to go ahead a call dibs on your FR WG Napalm!

J/k Sort of...

 

[napalmdeath]

I’ll add this regarding my MIM WG... when I said it was “meh”.... it was the bridge pup that I found meh. The guitar build, stability of tuning , etc gave me no problems.

In retrospect I wish I would’ve just swapped the pup out... but hey, I’m a bit of a junkie. And junkies flip gear right.

Matter of fact...ya know..I’m going to go ahead a call dibs on your FR WG Napalm!

J/k Sort of...

Still have the Skolnick?

 

[MrDowntown]

I’ll add this regarding my MIM WG... when I said it was “meh”.... it was the bridge pup that I found meh. The guitar build, stability of tuning , etc gave me no problems.

In retrospect I wish I would’ve just swapped the pup out... but hey, I’m a bit of a junkie. And junkies flip gear right.

Matter of fact...ya know..I’m going to go ahead a call dibs on your FR WG Napalm!

J/k Sort of...

Still have the Skolnick?

I do...but it is on CL and FB as of yesterday.

Like I said... junkie

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have 2 EVH WG USA models. I've never had any tuning stability issues with either.

 

[Bronco]

I have a MIM stealth from about 2 years ago and it is awesome. It is always in tune and sounds great, so I use this for my live shows. I go from song to song without even checking the tuning most of the time because it is so reliable. For reference, I have a USA WG, USA HP, and USA HP2 and have had numerous HPs/WGs over the years.The USA WG is my favorite but spends a lot of time in the case- this MIM gets most of my play time. Just throwing this out there- not sure if I got a "good" one (doubt it as I bought it sight unseen online) or most of the MIM are this way.

I like using this one live because I play dive bars and assume this is more replaceable than a 90s Wolf. FYI I get pro setups on my guitars but not this one- seems great out of the box, I may have screwed in the Floyd to make it more decked/dive only and slapped on thicker strings for D/dropC

This is some good commentary here for sure. Ray, what do you think of the HP2? I got mine a year ago and was unimpressed for whatever reason...a year later and it's my #1 far and away. I was recently gassing for an original PV WG standard, but I just don't see the point anymore. With the added coil splitting feature and a brass block trem, it's a no brainer.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I have a MIM stealth from about 2 years ago and it is awesome. It is always in tune and sounds great, so I use this for my live shows. I go from song to song without even checking the tuning most of the time because it is so reliable. For reference, I have a USA WG, USA HP, and USA HP2 and have had numerous HPs/WGs over the years.The USA WG is my favorite but spends a lot of time in the case- this MIM gets most of my play time. Just throwing this out there- not sure if I got a "good" one (doubt it as I bought it sight unseen online) or most of the MIM are this way.

I like using this one live because I play dive bars and assume this is more replaceable than a 90s Wolf. FYI I get pro setups on my guitars but not this one- seems great out of the box, I may have screwed in the Floyd to make it more decked/dive only and slapped on thicker strings for D/dropC

This is some good commentary here for sure. Ray, what do you think of the HP2? I got mine a year ago and was unimpressed for whatever reason...a year later and it's my #1 far and away. I was recently gassing for an original PV WG standard, but I just don't see the point anymore. With the added coil splitting feature and a brass block trem, it's a no brainer.

Interesting^
My Peavey Wolf is an amazing guitar- perfect for me.
I was so excited when the HP2 was announced. They used NOS parts so this is essentially a Wolfgang. I can confirm this as I have them side by side and the guitar is near identical. The differences to me are the pickups are not the same. The HP2 allows for split coil options, so they voiced the pickups to be more friendly for this new diversity of tones. As far as straight humbucking sound, this means it is more 'normal' or flat/less hyped compared to the Wolf. Good pickups, but I like the Wolf better. Plus I don't use the split coil, so that change I do not prefer.
But the curious part is the aging- the Wolf feels amazing, and although it arrived virtually mint, I think the aging really added to the great feel. The HP2 feels the same - but not because it has this 'new' feel. I am sure with lots of play or 10 years go by and it will have that cozy feel. Your comments above kind of confirm that for me.

I actually have the HP2 for sale as I am moving this summer, which means my band is blowing up and I need to free up cash. But if one loves the Peavey USA Wolf, one should really look into the HP2. As soon as they ran out of NOS parts they stopped making them, but there's still a bunch available online as this was recent.

 

[skullfxr]

Why would you need a trem stop?
It's easily decked as is and if you want no trem action at all just get a hardtail version (?)

I needed the bridge slightly higher than just decked it was at a back angle. Worked better that way for me.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Why would you need a trem stop?
It's easily decked as is and if you want no trem action at all just get a hardtail version (?)

I needed the bridge slightly higher than just decked it was at a back angle. Worked better that way for me.

Ahh, got you. When decked the angle is so slight on mine it is neglible....I wonder what EVH does?

 

[skullfxr]

Why would you need a trem stop?
It's easily decked as is and if you want no trem action at all just get a hardtail version (?)

I needed the bridge slightly higher than just decked it was at a back angle. Worked better that way for me.

Ahh, got you. When decked the angle is so slight on mine it is neglible....I wonder what EVH does?

I had a hardtail Peavey USA that I loved too.

 

[skullfxr]

Why would you need a trem stop?
It's easily decked as is and if you want no trem action at all just get a hardtail version (?)

I needed the bridge slightly higher than just decked it was at a back angle. Worked better that way for me.

Ahh, got you. When decked the angle is so slight on mine it is neglible....I wonder what EVH does?

I had a hardtail Peavey USA that I loved too.

 

[Mailman1971]

I’ve owned a few.
Best was the Peavey ‘patten pending’
That thing sounded incredible. Beat out my les Paul I had.
Forgot the year. 96?
It was awesome.

 

[glpg80]

I agree with the above - the Peavey Wolfgang’s are a step above the best. However, because of their rarity and scarceness, mine stays cased most of the time too. My Les Pauls get most of my play time currently.

My Wolfgang was my dream guitar and I waited for an emerald green one to become available. Killed all Wolfgang GAS instantly. Go Peavey or not at all.