Would you modify a Peavey Wolfgang?

[ledvedder]

I have a 98 tobacco burst Wolfgang. I've owned it for the past 12 years, and I don't ever plan on getting rid of it. It is, by far, the easiest playing guitar I've ever tried. Lately, I've been thinking about modifying it for more tonal options. I've thought about putting a few switches in it to give me things like series/parallel, phase, and coil cuts. Obviously, this would require drilling holes to mount the switches. Do you think I should do this or not?

 

[snowdog]

Maybe try a push/pull pot if you aren't too sure about adding a hole or two, on the other hand if it was mine I would mod it as I saw fit to do what I wanted it to do.

 

[Nico]

No i would not do that. But I might throw some Bare Knuckle Pickups in there for sure!

 

[6string40]

What would modifying it do but affect it's resale value? If you're never planning on selling, does that matter?

If you want more tonal options out of it, do it.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I'm a big modder, as I am sure everyone around here will know. I would not do it. I know from experience that when you switch mod something you only use one position on the switch anyway. Considering the instrument is an EVH Wolfgang and not a Fender strat with replaceable plastic pickguards which cost no more than $20 a piece, I would direct this urge elsewhere. If you are looking to get more tones out of your Wolfgang why don't you try some non-switchable circuit mods? If you have a good vision of what you want the guitar to sound like I can surely recommend some, I've tried nearly every one in the book!

You could also build/mod a pedal or two, that's always fun

 

[ledvedder]

No i would not do that. But I might throw some Bare Knuckle Pickups in there for sure!

I have Dimarzios in it now. Norton in the bridge and PAF Pro in the neck. I don't really see putting out more than $100 for a pickup.

 

[guitup too]

NO, no extra holes or irreversible mods. IMO.

 

[Shask]

I would consider the push-pull knobs so you could do a few things with no extra holes. I wouldnt drill anything new.

 

[gbsmusic]

If you dont plan on getting rid of it I'd do whatever you want to it. If it was a 1 of 10 guitar signed and made by EVH I wouldn't touch it but I say do it.

 

[TeleBlaster]

Rout it out, put in actives and a battery case, a dozen holes with mini toggles and LEDs so you can see where you are set.
Heck, put in a middle pup, a piezo, and a MIDI pickup too, maybe drill a couple more jack holes for stereo + piezo + MIDI, because God knows when gigging live you need 100 variations of tone because your audience cares that much and can tell the difference, because you are the center of your bands tonal universe!!!

Also, every Wolfgang that gets screwed up makes my collection worth more!!!







j/k - DON'T DO ANYTHING besides push/pulls if it's a USA model.
If it's an import, do what you want, these are not collectors. Judging by what you say, if it's a '98 it should be a USA and a decent one at that, third year of production.

 

[stratotone]

I always liked how wolfgangs sounded with stock pickups... all of them I had with replacement pu's didn't sound as good IMHO.

Pete

 

[ledvedder]

I always liked how wolfgangs sounded with stock pickups... all of them I had with replacement pu's didn't sound as good IMHO.

Pete

I'm starting to agree with this. I've tried tons of pickups in this (CC, Jazz, Tone Zone, Air Zone, Norton, PAF Pro, Virtual HPAF) searching for a different type of tone from it. I'd love to get a hold of some original Wolfgang pickups again.

 

[Meathead]

I always liked how wolfgangs sounded with stock pickups... all of them I had with replacement pu's didn't sound as good IMHO.

Pete

I'm starting to agree with this. I've tried tons of pickups in this (CC, Jazz, Tone Zone, Air Zone, Norton, PAF Pro, Virtual HPAF) searching for a different type of tone from it. I'd love to get a hold of some original Wolfgang pickups again.

I've owned 2 Peavey Wolfgang Specials, they both sounded excellent with the stock pickups. They are high output (it's like having a boost pedal on all the time) yet still sound nice and thick and they clean up really well with the guitar's volume. I've never thought of switching them out.

 

[Doubleneck]

I always liked how wolfgangs sounded with stock pickups... all of them I had with replacement pu's didn't sound as good IMHO.

Pete

I'm starting to agree with this. I've tried tons of pickups in this (CC, Jazz, Tone Zone, Air Zone, Norton, PAF Pro, Virtual HPAF) searching for a different type of tone from it. I'd love to get a hold of some original Wolfgang pickups again.

I've owned 2 Peavey Wolfgang Specials, they both sounded excellent with the stock pickups. They are high output (it's like having a boost pedal on all the time) yet still sound nice and thick and they clean up really well with the guitar's volume. I've never thought of switching them out.

I wouldn't mess with a Wolfgang, I think stock they sound great.

 

[MYLILSS]

mine is being modified as we speak. and it is an early 96 model, so yeah i would have to say i would mod it. there collectibility is still up there, but unless it is a quilt top, it really doesnt add or decrease value if it is modded from the selling prices i have seen. i wouldnt add any new holes in it, but push/pull pots and different pickups wont hurt it.

 

[lolzgreg]

Mod it, but put the mods inside of the control cavity without drilling any holes

Whatever you do, make sure it's reversible.

 

[glpg80]

Whatever you do, make sure it's reversible.

i have to agree with this the most.

its your guitar and should serve your tonal needs to the best of its ability. however - its a guitar that is no longer made and the value of wolfgangs has held even in this tough economy.

if you put it on a chopping block it will only make the other USA models worth more in the end, and your's worth less.

music is about tone and investment and getting what you want out of it. greg's suggestion meets both.

i used to own a wolfgang special. miss that guitars tone tremendously. damn guitar was solid

 

[9ball]

if it's something that you want, and you want to keep the guitar, then why the hell not if it will make the guitar perform better or be better in some way to fit your playing style?
i think too many people are bent on "original" parts on a guitar.
aside from extra holes which is obviously irreversible, anything else is interchangeable really.
i have a special edition ltd dv8r, which is not much of anything special to too many people out there yes i know lol, but it is to me. anyways - it came with the regular old seymour duncan JB/jazz set in it, and i've switched it over and totally rewired it for the mustaine livewire set. which absolutely SHIT all over the passive jb/jazz set IMO lol.
anyways -
i listed it for sale a few months ago because i could use a little extra cash - only on craigslist - and some guy was asking me about the pickups and if it has "all original hardware" and all this and that - i tell him about the p/u's and he acts like since it has the livewires in it - which are far better than the JB/jazz set - that it's like tainted in some way.
i even have all of the "original" pots and shit and an extra set of duncan JB/jazz p/u's around here i tell him i'll wire back in and he's like "oh no no no man i have to have it all original" lol
it's a fuckin set of duncans man WTF.
anyways- it just cracks me up sometimes lol.

 

[7 Stringer]

Nah, don`t mod it, there perfect as they are. I own one and it has it`s own thing going for it. The pups fit perfectly with this guitar, damn Ed designed it, don`t fuck with it. Get another guitar for the tones your after, the Wolfgang does what it does best.

Mine will ever be touched, it sounds perfect, if i want something different tone wise, i change guitars..............

Chris

 

[Digital Jams]

I would mod the virgin mary if I thought she could be better.........................


IT is a freaking guitar, people pay HUGE bucks for modded Page LPs and kiddergarden arts and crafts banged up guitars so just do it. It is YOUR guitar.