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Jim Warnstedt

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Feb 20, 2003
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382
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Chicago
So cool to see how it all came together. 100% truth to the fact that the Music Man EVH guitar stands the test of time and is his most popular signature model to date. A true classic and a design that is truly unique. Thanks for sharing BP!
 

lumberjack

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Mar 2, 2006
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Toronto, Canada
I know EVH topics are a touchy subject around here. But a big thanks goes out to BP for that blog. That was a great read. Didn't know about the Kramer/5150 strings situation. Didn't even know Kramer sold 5150 strings. I was only about 12 or 13 when he was with Kramer in '83, '84. Damn where does the time go?

We're still waiting for the book, Poppa!!!:D
 

glockaxis

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Dec 21, 2003
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SoCal
BP, you must be joking when you say "if anybody still cares..." This stuff is fabulous! Thanks again for posting and sharing. Here's to more blog posts from you!
 

whitestrat

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Aug 13, 2007
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The Little Red Dot
Great story! I especially liked ths "in my opinion over the head business manager" bit! Hahahaha... How did she get hers??? Please tell!!!!
 

RobW

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May 5, 2006
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Minnesota
ya, great read (as always)

it's cool to have insight like this as to how the business works, and I love how you operate on the handshake agreements - it's too bad more things can't happen that way...
 

Mick

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Jul 21, 2004
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Germany
I still care and I thank you very much for this insight view. No wonder there is no 5150 on his new string´s package;)
Different gauge too. The EB5150 had 015 g-string and a 040 E-string and now it´s all standard gauge.
One or two sentences on the gauges BP? Just for the books why was that?
 

GrooveHT

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Oct 14, 2002
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218
Thanks for sharing yet more cool stories BP...definately great to have some insight to how the music instrument biz works and how things happen!
 

John C

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Aug 16, 2004
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Kansas City
I still care and I thank you very much for this insight view. No wonder there is no 5150 on his new string´s package;)
Different gauge too. The EB5150 had 015 g-string and a 040 E-string and now it´s all standard gauge.
One or two sentences on the gauges BP? Just for the books why was that?

I'm not BP but I do have a logical reason - Fender makes two very similar string sets in their "Origianal 150 Nickle Wound" line:

150XL: .009 - .011 - .015 - .024 - .032 - .040

150L: .009 - .011 - .016 - .024 - .032 - .042

Back in the 1970s it was pretty easy to get either set, although the "standard .009" set from every string maker copied the EB Super Slinkys, including the Fender 150L. However I suspect that EVH preferred the Fender 150XL guages so he asked for them in the 5150 set.

BP - sorry for wasting bandwith on the word "Fender" but it seems like it is at least part of an explanation as to why EVH preferred those gauges.

Edited per BP's post - he is right; everyone copied the Super Slinkys. Hey, too cool; I'm using strings that have been around as long as I've been alive!
 
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Big Poppa

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Feb 9, 2005
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Coachella & SLO, California
except for you have the sequence wrong...ALl of the .009 sets are like the super slinky...same since 1962 Fender came out much later with that set to try to catch us
 

John C

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Aug 16, 2004
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except for you have the sequence wrong...ALl of the .009 sets are like the super slinky...same since 1962 Fender came out much later with that set to try to catch us

BP - I knew you were first with the .009s; I should have been clearer in my post so I edited it. I didn't mean to imply that Fender was first, just that for whatever reason not only do they sell the Super Slinky guage set but they also have a set with the guages that EVH probably got used to in the 1970s and picked for the 5150s.

At least around here the places that stocked Fender strings sold both sets side-by-side in the 1970s and on up to the middle 1980s; I haven't seen anything but the standard (i.e. Super Slinky) set on the shelves in about 20 years.
 

Eilif

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Sep 9, 2004
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1,131
Location
Mililani, Hawaii
BP, thanks for sharing. I realize that EVH is a touchy subject for you, but I think you know that us knuckleheads appreciate your stories.

If you are open to questions about the development of the EVH guitar, I'm curious to know who's idea it was to go with maple over basswood and to go with a body shape that was such a departure from the stratocaster style that he formerly played.
 
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