EVH Custom Guitars, part 2 - looks as if he's offically defected again!

[hbucker]

Anything goes at this point but the Generation looks to me like a Tele as apposed to a modified Wolf. In addition to the different top horn the Geny is also lacking the asemetrical bottom. And with 3 soapbar pickups it couldn't be much different than a Wolf in that regard. It's a nice looking guitar though.

It'll be interesting to see where all the dust settles.

 

[OrangeChannel]

That HP siggy axe looks like a Dean Hardtail. Right down tothe bridge design. WTF is w/ that?

Compare this:

To the original....

They toned down the headstock and upper horn, but I'd say it's pretty close. That being said would I spend $3000 on a Dean, no....but I did get to play one that looked like a pair of faded blue jeans....amazing finish work on it.

 

[Jimi D]

Anything goes at this point but the Generation looks to me like a Tele as apposed to a modified Wolf. In addition to the different top horn the Geny is also lacking the asemetrical bottom. And with 3 soapbar pickups it couldn't be much different than a Wolf in that regard. It's a nice looking guitar though.

I think Mesavox was implying that the Generation with 3xP90s would be competing with the Albert Lee MM90 for market share, and he could be right, but from what I've read, the prices on those Generation guitars will make them close enough to the AL that most people interested in one who do their homework will probably opt for the AL - I mean, which would you rather have, a Peavey or an Ernie Ball Music Man?

 

[hbucker]

 

[Bassplyr]

This pic taken at the Charvel booth at this summer's NAMM show. It's the new EVH signature models.


http://www.illinoismusicians.com/2004-NAMM/2004-NAMM-005.jpg

 

[mesavox]

Actually, I was implying that the Generation thing is the exact body shape as an Axis. Copyrite violations perhaps?

The three soapbars are definately aimed at both the AL and the PRS McCarty Soaps in market share but I doubt either company could be too worried about that unless the Peavy is going to be a cost alternative to those models.

 

[hbucker]

I still see it as closer to a Tele than anything else.

 

[Jimi D]

Actually, I was implying that the Generation thing is the exact body shape as an Axis. Copyrite violations perhaps?

huh? I owned a Peavey Generation (the first ones were made in the late '80's) and they don't have much in common with an Axis - they're really Tele shaped; bigger than an Axis by quite a bit - they're so different that it never occurred to me you would be suggesting it's an Axis shape...

And since the Generation guitars have been around longer than the Axis, if there were copyright issues, EBMM would be on the defending side...

 

[PurpleSport]

I still see it as closer to a Tele than anything else.

Agreed. Compared to the Axis, the back end of the body isn't rounded off like a Les Paul, ditto on the lower bout below the neck (with all due respect to Dudley Gimpel, the Axis's body design formula of 3/4 Les Paul Special and 1/4 Tele ain't the most original thing, which is why I don't foresee EBMM doing a lot of chasing of copyrights here or elsewhere).

The only thing I see the Generation really has in common with a hardtail Axis or an AL is the soapbar pickup layout, the bout above the neck, the birdseye neck, the bridge, and the pricetag - none of which is even close to an infringement. For those that haven't seen it yet, have a look here and see if you agree (must admit, tho, I REALLY dig that moto top! ):

http://namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM04/Content/Peavey/PR/Generation-USA-Custom.html

 

[Shnook]

I noticed on the Peavey sit today that ALL the Wolfgang pages have been removed aside from the Custom Shop models that have been mentioned earlier in the thread. I think Peavey is gonna use the Wolfgang Custom shop to build custom ordered USA made Peavey guitars. However, there seems to be no change with the 5150 amps.

 

[koogie2k]

Well, I took the time to read all the posts about this subject since I have been gone for a while. Man, EVH can stir up a hornets nest huh? My only opinion (and that is all it is...my opinion) is I never liked the striped design to begin with. It looks like it is being held together with electrical tape. Kinda ugly to me. But, with that said, it is one of the most recognized "finishes" in the industry. Me, I would never buy one. Not even for $300. Just my preference. Now, IF EVH is defecting over to Charvel, more power to him. I believe he is a businessman first, musician second. It used to not be that way, but it seems that way now. That's too bad for us and good for him. Dude is taking care of business the only way he knows how. By lending his name (as a rock icon) to promote growth in his wallet. Can't fault him for that. Jeez, KISS has marketed everything on the planet! That is where the money is...endorsements and marketing. Many bands make more $$$ through the sale of merch than in CD's. That is a fact. Why would EVH go back to a striped design that he hasn't employed regularly for many years? Does he miss it? NO...money is the issue. He knows people will buy his endorsed instruments. There is nothing wrong with that. It is all a matter of money and being a good businessman. The music industry is tough and he has proven he knows how to work it. He sticks with a company for a while, then the well starts to dry up, so he leaves. No matter what lame excuse he comes up with, he does it making a business decision. Are the Wolfies selling like they used to? If not, these might make a run. I think there will be a lot of kids running around with EVH striped Charvels here in the near future. God, I just hope they can give me some meds to keep me from seeing all those stripes.....almost like the Twilight Zone. EVH = Big Business. I hope I did not offend anyone with my comments, but that is how I see it.

 

[hbucker]

Well! I never!!! ...just kidding.

Sounds reasonable. I think he put on his business hat as of the time he copywrited the stripes and had any likeness removed from Ebay and such. Maybe he realized he needs to cash in on all things EVH while he's still young enough and people still remember when he was god. I don't blame him one bit and am surprised he didn't do it 15-20 years ago.

As an owner and avid supporter of Wolfgangs I feel qualified to say that he was not wearing his business hat when he went to PV for construction of the Wolfgang. I think it was logical based on his experience developing the 5150 amp. But IMO he could have Fender, Gibson, Charvel, Jackson, etc. build the Wolfgangs EXACTLY the way PV built them and he would have sold many more. It's unfortunate but it's reality. I'm sure many folks liked Wolfgangs but because they had a predisposition to dislike PV guitars, they didn't buy one. They believed the hype more than their own eyes and ears.

I still say though that it's not a smart move to put all your eggs in the basket with those striped guitars. IMO there just isn't the vast market for those. NOW maybe he has the name recognition with Charvel that he didn't have with PV. But he has a guitar that doesn't hit nearly as wide of a market as the EBMM or the Wolfgang did/does. So maybe he hasn't gotten any smarter... IMO he'd be smart to do the Charvel thing AND keep doing the Wolfgangs. Maybe he'll eventually have Charvel building the next generation Wolf just like he did when he went from EBMM to PV. If he indeed does that, he would really be wearing his business hat then. I'm not sure they'll build the comparable guitar for the same money (especially based on what they want to sell the 25th anniversary models for) but it will be interesting to see.

Oh well. We'll see what happens but I have to agree that the earmarks are showing that he might be leaving PV and taking the Wolfgang with him. Not smart IMO but it looks that way none the less.

 

[OrangeChannel]

Indeed there will be a Charvel version of a newly designed EVH axe. Trust me on that one.

 

[glockaxis]

Yeah, as soon as the official news breaks Ed will be giving interviews stating how Peavey screwed him and all that other nonsense, like he did w/ EBMM. He'll then drastically change the new Wolfgang because Peavey didn't build it right. I can't see him exclusively using the Charvel since he doesn't want to be a nostalgia band, but he has gone back on his word many other times so it shouldn't be a surprise. How many musicians go through so many changes in their instruments like Ed does (aside from cosmetic)? As much as I admire the guitarist, I'd have to say he really has gone 5150.

 

[hbucker]

I agree. And assuming Charvel puts out an EBMM/Wolfgang type EVH guitar, I'm guessing it will make the retail price on the pevious two look like a screaming deal. Suddenly it would be more cost efficient to by an EBMM EVH at collector prices than the new Charvel.

This statement is based of course on the prices they appear to be charging for the Sand Dimas model. Honestly, why would you pay more for one of their San Dimas models (comparatively speaking, a one trick pony) than you would for the EBMM/Wolf equivelant? Inquiring minds want to know.