Wolfgang Special Stealth - US versus MIM

[jkdsteve]

Really guys one is $2.5-3k and the other can be had around $800-1k....what is the real difference?

I guess this applies to many brands these days.

There's probably $200 difference in labor cost...what do I get for the other $2k ?

 

[the rossness]

Inlays, binding, thicker maple top, SS vintage frets (the old wg specials had SS frets as well) not not the new ones, they have regular jumbo frets, new models have a killswitch,

 

[MrDowntown]

A few things off the cuff that I think are correct:

Floyd Rose bridge vs the lighter gage metal FR
Brass block
The maple tops are thicker on the USA models
The pickups, though advertised as the same (I think), aren't the same. The pups manuf overseas are inconsistent tone wise. Some like them , some don't.

There's more I'm sure....others can chime in. Necks and frets are supposed to be the same. My frets could use some dressing on my MIM.

IT PLAYS REALLY WELL, does the MIM. and the pup tone is actually growing on me. It needs eq'n conpared to say a DSD, OR EVH Franky.

Hope this helps some.

 

[jkdsteve]

A few things off the cuff that I think are correct:

Floyd Rose bridge vs the lighter gage metal FR
Brass block
The maple tops are thicker on the USA models
The pickups, though advertised as the same (I think), aren't the same. The pups manuf overseas are inconsistent tone wise. Some like them , some don't.

There's more I'm sure....others can chime in. Necks and frets are supposed to be the same. My frets could use some dressing on my MIM.

IT PLAYS REALLY WELL, does the MIM. and the pup tone is actually growing on me. It needs eq'n conpared to say a DSD, OR EVH Franky.

Hope this helps some.

Yeah...it's really about the neck and the pickups for me...I heard the necks are fantastic, even the MIM ones and couldn't see a difference in the pickups.

I've had mixed experience with cheap 'pot metal' overseas Floyds....hmm

 

[MrDowntown]

Necks and pups are good for the most part on the MIM and the older MIJ models. Get it from a reputable dealer with a generous return policy and you can always return it.

Personally, I'm partial to the fatter fret wire of the MIM.

 

[lessthan12]

I actually picked up both this weekend for a combined cost under $1900. I bought a US Stealth off craigslist that was bought new by the owner from the music zoo, had all the paperwork and still has the plastic on the back plates,looks unused and I couldn't pass it up(plus the build sheet showed it was only a few months old,maybe needed to pay a bill?). Then the day after I take a trip to my buddies shop and they had a mexican special also looked unused that they tagged for $550. They're friends and I ended up with it for $400 out the door.
There are big differences between the two. And as much as everyone wants to believe the necks are the same between these 2 they feel quite different. You can tell the US is much higher quality in the build,not saying the mexican is bad, its actually a lot better than most guitars in the same price range. Heres where I won't lie, Im actually preferring the tone of the mexican at the moment lol. The pup mounting is shallower so the pups sit closer to the strings than on the US Wolfgang, it makes it sound like it handles gain better (to me) however the US in MUCH clearer with a little less low end. Also, I was told that the mexican wolf gangs are all basswood, the flametops are just thin veneers where as the US models(even the solid color) are thick pieces of maple

 

[jkdsteve]

Sweet deals man and great info! \m/

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

I have 3 Wolfgang USA models and they all play great. The custom is heavy like an LP, but it's also 10x more comfortable for me to play.

I bought them all used, but the best deal I got was on this one. Was practically brand new (one light scratch on the back).

 

[NaturalBornBoy]

A few things off the cuff that I think are correct:

Floyd Rose bridge vs the lighter gage metal FR
Brass block
The maple tops are thicker on the USA models
The pickups, though advertised as the same (I think), aren't the same. The pups manuf overseas are inconsistent tone wise. Some like them , some don't.

There's more I'm sure....others can chime in. Necks and frets are supposed to be the same. My frets could use some dressing on my MIM.

IT PLAYS REALLY WELL, does the MIM. and the pup tone is actually growing on me. It needs eq'n conpared to say a DSD, OR EVH Franky.

Hope this helps some.

The EVH branded tremolo on the USA models are 1000 series trems. Same as on the MIM ones.

 

[MrDowntown]

A few things off the cuff that I think are correct:

Floyd Rose bridge vs the lighter gage metal FR
Brass block
The maple tops are thicker on the USA models
The pickups, though advertised as the same (I think), aren't the same. The pups manuf overseas are inconsistent tone wise. Some like them , some don't.

There's more I'm sure....others can chime in. Necks and frets are supposed to be the same. My frets could use some dressing on my MIM.

IT PLAYS REALLY WELL, does the MIM. and the pup tone is actually growing on me. It needs eq'n conpared to say a DSD, OR EVH Franky.

Hope this helps some.

The EVH branded tremolo on the USA models are 1000 series trems. Same as on the MIM ones.

Did not realize that...they seem to be unofficially marketed as "....same as US models...", except for a few things, mostly Labor (i suppose). i will say the bridge feels "heavier/thicker" than the bridge on my MIM Charvel, but much, much lighter than the bridge on my USA Peavey WG.

Just my opinion here...i bought the EVH (MIM) Special, b/c that is all the money i had in my pocket at the time. If i had another 1-2K, or whatever it takes to by the USA model, I would have bought it (most likely). I guess i could just keep saving up money until i find a screaming deal, or can afford the US model...but that ain't how gear-whores roll.