Wolfgang's, EBMM Axis and their clones

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the rossness

the rossness

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I'm thinking about picking up another EVH style guitar and wanted to know what options are out there. I've had 2 Peavey wolf's (1 USA Special and 1 USA Standard, both stop tails), 2 OLP MM1's & 1 EBMM Axis.

My USA Peavey Wolfgang Special wasn't that great. My Peavey wolf standard was nice, but was a little honky sounding. My OLP's are good, with great bottom end, but they need work to make them good. My old Axis had a slightly thicker neck than my PV Wolfs. I've played the EVH wolf Special and the neck shape feels totally different, but the PU's are really cool.

Three questions...

1) Besides the Peavey's, EBMM/Sterling/OLP, EVH... Are there any other great quality Wolfgang clones out there? I know Meanstreet makes a clone, but I've heard the quality is so-so.

2) Given the choice, which guitar would you get?

3) Does anyone own all 3 guitars (PV, EVH, EBMM) or two of them? which do you like more. What differences do you notice between the models?

~Thanks
 
Love the tone of the Axis. IMHO it's one of the best sounding guitars made at any price. I own a JP6 which I also love. I need an elbow/forearm cut. Thats the only reason I haven't bought one.
 
I've not owned them, but played several in stores. None of them have been the player my old Axis was. A friend has a Stealth, which plays pretty nice, but not quite like the Axis. But it sure looks cool.
 
I owned a Wolfgang USA and owned two Music Man Axis guitars. I much prefer the tone from the Axis. The neck also perfect for people with smaller hand like me.
 
What about the Sterling AX40 if you are looking to go on the cheap?
 
I've owned more EBMM EVH's, Axis' and Peavey Wolfgangs than I care to admit and I liked them all for different reasons. I've played the new EVH's and at first wasn't impressed. The last couple of EVH Specials I've played, i thought were really good and those pickups are killer. When I have some extra cash, I'm picking one up.
 
GMW does a take on that general design, as well. If they´re anything like every GMW I have tried they should be nice guitars and be priced right.
 
I've owned a Wolfgang, an OLP, an AX40, and an Axis. The Axis is far and away the best of the bunch in terms of tone, feel, and playability. The AX40 is a very good guitar for the price. The stock pickups suck balls but that's an easy fix.
 
Had several EB's but never owned a Peavey but played them in stores.

I recently picked up a Stealth Special hard tail. I was in GC Nashville just browsing and not shopping for anything in particular and saw it sitting there and thought "wow I didn't know they made a hard tail" so picked it up and played it on a whim. Was very pleasantly surprised on how much I liked it not even plugged in. Plugged it in to a tiny terror combo and loved the pick ups so it had to come home with me. Now it's become my number one. Yes the neck is different than the Peavey's and EB's.... to me is a cross between the two which I like because there were things I liked and disliked about those two necks and this marries the two more to my liking. Keep in mind I wasn't blessed with nice long fingers so smaller and thinner necks feel better to me.

It's the first guitar I've had in a long time I've liked playing wise and tone wise right out the box. Only thing I'm thinking of doing is putting a Fralin Unbucker in the neck to be able get a single coil tone out of the neck.

Next guitar purchase will definitely be the USA EVH Stealth with trem.

BTW I've got some of the Cobalt strings and with the steel frets I really like the way strings glide across the frets on bends and the those Cobalts have an more open feel. Also something in the oil in my hands seem to waste normal strings quickly even though I do keep them clean and these are holding up so much better.
 
ejecta":31l6ih35 said:
BTW I've got some of the Cobalt strings and with the steel frets I really like the way strings glide across the frets on bends and the those Cobalts have an more open feel. Also something in the oil in my hands seem to waste normal strings quickly even though I do keep them clean and these are holding up so much better.
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That white stuff isn't oil. Wash your hands, fool.
 
Rogue":2q072hsq said:
ejecta":2q072hsq said:
BTW I've got some of the Cobalt strings and with the steel frets I really like the way strings glide across the frets on bends and the those Cobalts have an more open feel. Also something in the oil in my hands seem to waste normal strings quickly even though I do keep them clean and these are holding up so much better.
Click to expand...
That white stuff isn't oil. Wash your hands, fool.
Click to expand...

Well if my wife was playing my guitar that would explain what you are inferring. :D
 
ejecta":2ekjraxy said:
Rogue":2ekjraxy said:
ejecta":2ekjraxy said:
BTW I've got some of the Cobalt strings and with the steel frets I really like the way strings glide across the frets on bends and the those Cobalts have an more open feel. Also something in the oil in my hands seem to waste normal strings quickly even though I do keep them clean and these are holding up so much better.
Click to expand...
That white stuff isn't oil. Wash your hands, fool.
Click to expand...

Well if my wife was playing my guitar that would explain what you are inferring. :D
Click to expand...
:shocked:
 
Ive owned several MM's; 2 EVH's and 1 Axis . They were some of the best sounding guitars that I have ever played and very consistent in that regard. Oddly, I loved playing rhythm on them but couldnt get comfortable at all playing lead on them and that seemed to be a common trend on most MM's that Ive played over the years... Strange...
 
I've had a couple of Peavey Wolfgangs over the years, no longer. Very nice guitars that had tall thin frets that I thinks helped/complimented the sound. I had a love/hate relationship with that style of frets. Great sounding guitars though. I did find the neck sizes varied alot from those Peaveys though, some were big and some were small, consistent shape though.
I’ve had a few and still have an Axis with a hard tail. Killer guitar! Fun to play :) The necks are smaller and rounder in general compared to the Peavey and EVH; not much smaller but they do have a 10 radius which I find comfy. They too sound great but not as “gainy” to me as the Peavey Wolfgangs and sweeter sounding as a result. Don’t get me wrong the Axis pups have plenty of balls too. The fret size is nice; medium size I guess.
I have an OLP axis that has a Peavey Wolfgang pup in it in the bridge and it is a real fun guitar but did needed some work from my Luthier. Has the same neck shape as the Axis but a slightly wider nut, bigger neck.
The EVH model guitar I have is the best playing guitar I have set up wise right from new but not the best sounding I'd say…still sounds good though. Not as punchy as the Peavey or alive and sweet as the Axis...kind of in the middle actually.

Wow I didn't realise I dug the VH stuff so much. I would list Lynch and RR and others as equal influences but have mostly EVH stuff :confused: I guess the hands like what the hands like :lol: :LOL:
 
The Peavey HP Special (USA) is worth adding to this conversation. This si sthe axe Peavey designed after EVH split a few years ago; very similar to the Wolves. The option to block/unblock the bar is fantastic. There's a split coil option if you're into that. I just picked one up cheap cheap on the bay and it is right up there with my Peavey Wolf. The birdseye on the neck is magnificent. Drawbacks include the recessed cavity- great if that's what you like, but there is a touch of a decrease in resonance, even with the block in place. To me the difference is only slight, and I really wanted to pull up again :rock:
 
Gainzilla":10zm95eg said:
Ive owned several MM's; 2 EVH's and 1 Axis . They were some of the best sounding guitars that I have ever played and very consistent in that regard. Oddly, I loved playing rhythm on them but couldnt get comfortable at all playing lead on them and that seemed to be a common trend on most MM's that Ive played over the years... Strange...
Click to expand...

Same thing with me. I always thought they were nice, but I have NEVER been happy with the 10" fingerboard radius they use. I really feel like they missed the mark on that guitar....as I've always thought it would be better with a flatter radius, such as a 14" perhaps. Plus, it'd be nice if it had a forearm cutaway.
 
I dunno- I like the tone, the pickups, controls, SS frets, D-tuna on the EVH, but the neck is a tab too thin. If I get get one for under a grand, I'd be tempted by the price.

The Ernie ball has a much more comfy neck, the PU's sound better for leads however they seem less aggressive, bigger frets.

The peavey is nice but sounds too honky.

It's a tough decision.
 
crankyrayhanky":266dwlrn said:
The Peavey HP Special (USA) is worth adding to this conversation. This si sthe axe Peavey designed after EVH split a few years ago; very similar to the Wolves. The option to block/unblock the bar is fantastic. There's a split coil option if you're into that. I just picked one up cheap cheap on the bay and it is right up there with my Peavey Wolf. The birdseye on the neck is magnificent. Drawbacks include the recessed cavity- great if that's what you like, but there is a touch of a decrease in resonance, even with the block in place. To me the difference is only slight, and I really wanted to pull up again :rock:
Click to expand...
I have one, they are kind of a Wolfgang/PRS hybrid. There are several different versions. Mine has the birdseye neck, but it has a fixed bridge with a mahogany body and maple top.
 
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