Both guitars are 25.5" scale length. The pickup placement is different, frankie is tilted, standard is straight. Frankie's saddle's are steel and the standard's are pot metal. Frankie has no tone pot or toggle switch while the standard does. Both are great guitars but different.
I know, I was doing something else listening to this in the background, and my ears perked when ai heard it the first time. That raised eyebrow look. My head straight jerked when I heard it the 2nd time. And 3 times a charm, because here I am [actually] writing this 😂🙈 Every one of Mr. Edward’s guitars, cept for the few Gibbers early on, are 25.5”, people. 🤙🏼
I think you are correct, I didn't know scale length was same! Saddles suck on std that is why I put original Floyd Rose on it and big L brass block.. kicks ass 👍👍👍
I myself just go to fu and by all titanium inserts in all of the other parts on the Floyd Rose except for the saddles and along with a 44 mm brass or copper block in that guitar is totally awesome
Frankie also only has one humbucking pickup and a single coil in the neck position vs 2 humbuckers. The magnetics from the two different pickups might have an affect on tone, although I think it would most likely be minimal.
you are very correct even replacing the saddle string blocks with titanium and or stainless steel improves tone slightly but the whole saddle has a significant impact in tone.
The difference in sound is very easy to explain. The Wolfang has a tone knob, the frankie does't have one. My Wolfgang tone knob is a 250k one, I was not completely satisfied with the sound, it lacked some bite and power. I disconnected the tone knob and the guitar came to life. Try it, it's an easily reversable mod.
The tone pot on the Wolfgang is a 250k instead of a 500k. That makes a huge difference. Disconnect your tone pot or put in a no load tone pot and it will be way closer to the Frankie. I did this on my evh Wolfgang special and the difference was night and day.
Gone back and forth, if the volume and the chain never changed, the Wolfgang came across MUCh louder, more defined, but if they are the same pup, well, could be what others stated, the tone knob and the inside electronics. Loved the vid! thanks for posting it!
Ed really knew what he was doing with the wolfgang, other things that were on his USA model that were different than the frankie are the fact his had SS frets, titled back headstock, ebony fingerboard (on stealth), and maybe a few other things I'm forgetting. You mentioned that both have the same pickups, I know that one point the special (MIJ and MIC) had the USA pups and now these are the import equivalent, do you know if they same for the frankie? or does the frankie have a USA pup? the angled pup also makes a difference, saw another vid where there was a comparison
I’m not sure about the country origin of the pickups. Both pickups in these guitars look identical and are stamped and branded identical on the backside. I do know that for sure! Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it!
Frankenstein has its own pickup and the USA pickups are only in the Ed Signature now, and most US models was the quote from Fender. Same scale but the Wolf has a R2 nut and the Frankie will have a R3 making it feel wider in the hand
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker You need to check with a multimeter to be sure. The pup in the Frankie could be hotter than the other and that's what you're noticing when you play that we, the audience, can't, since you're compensating for difference when you play the Wolf.
Regarding scale length, they are both 25-1/2" and I don't really think the headstock size doesn't play into the factor on these guitars because of the locking nut, which makes them the same, from point to point. It may be more of a factor of all the components that encompass each instrument, in my opinion.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Again, that makes me think the pup in the Frankie is wound hotter. The pots, as mentioned elsewhere, will also make a big difference.
you are right Marty, I had a wolfgang special and never got the VH sound at all. I just got the red and black striped series with the same wolfgang pup and it is a flamethrower! It is exactly the sound, harmonics and dynamics that I always wanted and hoped for from an EVH guitar. The pup being hot wired right off the volume knob makes way more difference than I even hoped it would. I was all set to order the EVH frankenstein classic pup but as soon as my striped series arrived, I can't imagine that pup being better than this wolfgang. Thank -you for this video because it convinced me to finally pull the trigger on this beautiful guitar I have wanted for years. I am not a fan of fake damage relic shit and I love that this is basically the exact guitar that Eddie saw in his mind and was the perfect version of the guitar he was trying to build when he -Eddie-rigged his black and white guitar into frankie. The difference between this and the wolfgang is huge. When I turn my amp on, this hotrod is like holding onto the ghostbusters proton pack!
Given that the scale length on the two is the same, and the bridge pickup is the same, the two glaring differences to me would be the sheer body size of the Frankie and the fact that the Frankie has a much smaller pickup in the neck position. It's not functional, but it's still real magnetic pickup and it will still pull down on the strings a little bit, impacting the guitar's sustain. Versus the Wolfgang, which has a larger humbucker in the neck position, which will pull the strings even harder toward it. I don't have your equipment as an example, but I do have a Jackson with a dinky body and a Charvel with a much larger strat body and given the significant size difference in the guitars, the Charvel sounds better all day long with more resonance and sustain. You can really feel it reverberate through your body, whereas my Jackson simply doesn't give you that kind of feeling or sound... That's just my .02
I have an EVH Stealth and it's the best sounding guitar I've ever heard, I can sound like Ed to Gilmour to Jimmy (or Jimi for that matter), really amazing!
The Frankie has a volume knob. The Wolfgang had two pickups, a switch, a tone knob and a volume knob. That’s a lot of wire and pots compared to the Frankie.
The Frankie has more clarity. But in saying that there was a volume difference between the Wolfgang and Frankie. The Wolfgang was a little louder. I converted a strat style guitar with Ash body and Maple neck into a Frankie with a FR and left the tone knobs on and I get the same type of brightness and clarity that you are with your Frankie, I just think it has to do with the amount of wood resonance behind the strings.
Thanks man! It should have been bridge. The upper position is bridge on the Wolfgang’s. I need to flip my switch around. I hate the configuration that way!
Hi I have problem with designion of right bridge pickup. Please help if you can. I have Jackson Warrior WRXT in basewood body and Duncan Design HB108 humbuckers.This is Korean copy Saymour Duncan.Distorzion. He is look like Invader because he have big hex srews pole pieces. But his Sound is too bassy and I want more sharper and harsh higher sound. Play 80 hairy metal. Please what pick up you recommend. SD Distorzion B Winter Alternative 8 Dimarzio Evo Super2 Dactivator Paf Pro EVH wolfang Humbucer Which is best opnion. What is best magnet for basewood alnico or ceramic. I play with Yamaha THR10x and some pedals BossSd1 and TS9. What you think Kind regards
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Thank You for Quick replay I dont know is that EVH is good because is Alinico 2 and that very warm and is hale right dimenzioni. What is different beton 59 an 498t Pickup. Kind regarfs
Interesting. I was thinking that Wolfgang was a little less. Yeh perhaps the body size. Length of neck? I think it may be that maple cap on the Wolfgang and I am a believer the angled pickup is also part of the mystery.
Have you played an EVH Striped series compared to the Frankie. I have a circles guitar, they should be the same sound and feel but it seemed the sound is better to me on the frankie but its hard to tell for sure listening on UA-cam
@@jl-zz9zs I’ve played them in stores but not enough to notice if there is a sonic difference. They sounded really good when I played them, I really like the worn feel and vibe of the Frankie though.
It is really hard to tell when effects comprise a ton of what we're hearing. I'd love to see you do the same thing with no more than a distortion/overdrive pedal, and definitely samples of it on AND off.
I find the Frankie to be louder acoustically and it really seems to vibrate, the Wolfgang not so much. I reckon it's the Frankie's open finish that makes the difference. I'd love to hear a comparison of the standard Frankie or Wolfgang Vs one that has all the FU titanium parts, I'm guessing that there not really much difference in terms of sound. I get that the stuff will be stronger, but I doubt most people will be gigging and changing strings everyday to notice any real difference.
you're right, the Frankie is much lighter acoustically. It would be a great test to do the high-end Wolfgang with the better hardware. Little things make a difference for sure. 😁👍
Is this about the differences between the U.S. made EVH pickups and the Indonesian made? I do wonder if it can be possible for the cheaper Asian models to sound the same.
I am not entirely sure man, I can't imagine there's anything different. But who knows?? It's wire and magnets, and all probably wrapped by machines I would assume. Same spec?
I bought the Frankenstein PU for my selfmade Frankenstein Strat. Man...that thing is a hell of a PU. Brutal power but not clipping or dispappointing in any situation. And clear as a bell when turned not over 2on the volume knob. BTW @marty5150: what's the part your are playing 09:52. I know Eddie played that as an intro to his solo on the Live without a Net Dvd. But does it belong to a song? Sounding so good!
I thought the same thing, but they are the same exact pick up. I took them out and analyzed both of them. Same old gang pick up. I think it has to do with the neck and lack of volume parts etc. the Frankie is just a beast. Raw and powerful😎🎵🎵🎵🙌
I’m glad you did this video, because I was convinced they were different pickups. I’d even go as far as measuring the resistence? Because I’ve always thought the Frankie sounded much, MUCH better. More articulate, more bite. I thought someone said that the Frankie pup was made by DiMarzio (at least at one point). Maybe it’s the wiring? I tried to like the Wolfgang but, it never got the bite, and mid-focused, percussive punch of my Les Pauls. When the pickups get too hot, and lose punch, and string separation, it becomes pointless. EVH had it down perfect on Fair Warning, which the EVH-huts swear was a Super Distortion. The Music Man Axis had a pup in it that at one point was made by DiMarzio, that was the best pup I’ve ever heard. Apparently, they went (and still go to great lengths) to protect that pup. And, this comparison is no different….the Frankie sounds better. Let me know if you got a chance to measure the DC on each. I’m right there with you, and scratching my head as to why. GREAT video, thanks for sharing, Marty.
You're welcome! I wound up trading this Wolfgang a few weeks ago for a white special. The special sounds very similar to the Frankie for some reason. I should do another comparison video. The Frankie still is the best sounding overall. It's amazing. I think it's the one pickup snd the angle of the pickup. As well as how the neck bolts on to the body. 😎
Seemed you were Englund the Frankie easy more! The sound was definitely different to me using headphones... the Frankie was way brighter but seemed to have less bottom end, did you just switch from one to the other only the cord going out and in the other?
what are you playing at the 10:15 min. I can't quite put my finger on it. Driving me crazy 🤪 . I just got an EVH Frankie and love it. Great playing by the way.
The sound out of them 2 pick ups are going to be so minimal they're both basswood bodies the maple top on the Wolfgang is only a veneer that could be sanded off and without no effort it's just a thin piece of paper so it's basically basswood both guitars with the same pickups wired the same
I think you're right that it is the scale length and the mass of the body that is the difference. Not much but you can hear it for sure. Plus the Frankenstein is a one pickup one knob hook up which some swear that that sounds better also. Good demo thank you brother!
Thanks man! The Frankie body just resonates differently. Total different feel. I honestly think the relicing and the Lao t have something to do with how a guitar breathes and resonates. I used to think that was crap. But the relics I have all contain some mojo.
What was your amp rig set up? Just curious what your are using to help get a VH tone. I actually think the Wolfgang had a closer tone to classic EVH, believe it or not.
Yeh man! Thanks for watching the video. For UA-cam I sinister use a Fractal Ax8 with a Friedman sim and Celestion 4x12 IR. Works best for recording videos.
@@bobubastardbbqandmetal9908 I can’t help feel it’s because Basswood is a bit cheaper to source/manufacture. Having built my own lefty Frankie replica from Swamp Ash, there is a big difference between it and my Wolfgang guitar (even acoustically). Basswood is very soft. Swamp Ash is more dense and just sounds way better IMO. I think with the EVH brand Franky, people are paying mostly for the paint job rather than a true replica of the original - then again, who could afford the Fender Custom Shop version they released many years prior.
Or no magnetic pull of another pickup bc the wolf gang has that second pickup where the second pickup on the Franky is a dummy pickup so there’s no magnetic pull on the strings
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I agree the angled pickup makes a slight difference. I have a Frankie and a Black and White striped series, upgraded both with big brass blocks, titanium saddles blocks and they do sound slightly different. The only significant differences are the angled humbucker and a slight magnetic pull on the Frankie from the neck picked. It is disconnected but there is still a magnet there. Just a thought. Great video as always!
The Frankie takes the nod on power and brightness.. I am guessing the WG is basswood with only a maple veneer.. but it sounds dull and darker for sure.. I have a Peavy Wolfgang standard in flame green and the guitar just rips.. heavy maple cap brightens the tone.. all these guitars are well made.. I think te he WG or the newer Wolfgang standards from Indonesia have been improved but for sure the Floyd Special must be upgraded.. it's a tone sucker.. also that tone pot needs a looking at.. great vid man..
Thanks man! I appreciate you commenting. Yeh I am sure that’s a maple veneer on the WG. The Frankie is solid basswood from what I have read. I honestly think the different in tone is the body size and the neck. There’s just more wood one less pickup. The angled pickup has to be part of the magic too??
Cool playing & vid, Brother! ANYTHING EVH, and VH in general, is awesome. I'm a Van Halen Freak! I love both of those guitars, and I have (versions of) both guitars. Splitting hairs, but... To me... my Wolfgang is a little smoother, and easier to play, for obvious reasons. And I think my Frankies sound a little rawer, and a little more bad-A$$. But both guitars are killer, and both sound great. LOL But on your guitars... I went back and listened a second time. Man... your Wolfgang is raw, and has crushing power! So I don't know! LOL They're both amazing, and tonal Beasts! Just absolutely smoking hot pickups on both guitars. That's my 2 cents.
Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the feedback. I always feel like the Frankie is a bit rawer sounding. But in review I think they both sound about the same and are amazing. I think the way the Frankie feels when I play it makes me think (psycologically) it sounds better. I just prefer super strats and the way they feel. Thanks again for the comment! From one VH freak to another. 🎶😎🎶
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Awesome Bro. Thx for the gracious reply. Both killer axes... but man... a Frankie is just such a BEAST! I love them... like you do.
@@jimmyz2098 you’re welcome man. After review again I do say the EVH has a bit nastier vibe and tone to it. I honestly think the angled humbucker and scale length is the reason. The Frankie has more vibration in it too. The Wolfgang is a tight lean machine and cuts like a samurai sword. The Frankie is like a chainsaw. Haha.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker AWESOME comments. Man.... I just still can't believe Ed isn't with us any more. I'm 51... and he's literally gone everywhere I've ever been. All the good times. All the (few) bad times I've had. Happy. Sad. He was always there with the music. It's the sound-track of my Life Bro, for sure. Very cool to share that with you, and others.
@@jimmyz2098 I love all eras of VH. I never saw the original but did catch the tours from 2007 on. I saw OU812 in Syracuse and RHRN and Balance in Nashville. Caught the Charone with VH in Nashville. Saw the 2004 Hagar reunion in Herschey (had all access passes) and then in Cincinnati and Louisville. I miss those times. But man what memories. They really got me through all the ups and downs of life and still do. Anytime I’m feeling down I put on a random selection. Diver Down, Fairwarning…. Etc. it brings me back up. And when I’m up I’ll crank out VH1 or 5150, Ou812. It’s a lifestyle man! The magic before the first chords at shows. Lights go out. Crowd roars. Eddie squeals a harmonic dive bomb. BAM. They hit you like a train. Great memories. Still can’t believe Ed is gone.
Did you mod the standard or just the way you have it? (D tuna, blocked/dive only or still floating trem). Bought a WG Zilla standard on sale to work/learn more on rather than killing my US models…flipped the Zilla’s switch to match US models as my brain is now wired in reverse when playing a EVH WG. Wolfgang and Frankie both different, but great guitars. You can get a lot of variety out of the WG. 78 Eruption is fun as well if you haven’t tried. ✌️
They do indeed sound different. I wish they made a Frankie left handed. Have you ever compared the Wolfgang to the striped series? They do make a left handed red/white/black striped series super strat
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker me too- sadly, they only have the classic red/white in a lefty. I love my Wolfgang, though, and I’m thinking about throwing an original Floyd in it to see if there is a difference between the two systems. The Floyd factory said it’s a simple drop in to change them out
Body size is definitely a factor. That is a lot more wood. The maple top is a veneer. I have been told it’s makes no tonal difference. However Paul Reed Smith has addressed this and says absolutely everything contributes to tone. Even the material of the nut. Also, the WG has a Floyd Special. The Frank a Floyd 1000. Floyd 1000 is made of harder material. Special is soft pot metal. I have this exact WG and love it.
My peavey wolf is very scooped Poundcake sounding, I'd hope the frank would be more PAF but I'm nervous it won't be. Will change the pickup if it isn't
The Frankie does definitely sound different. I have several Wolfgangs and Wolfgang specials and love them. I recently purchased the EVH Striped 5150 I'm wondering how close that guitar will sound to the Frankie. That being said my next guitar purchase will be an EVH Frankie.
It would be interesting to compare the striped series and the Frankie. I think all the guitars sound great, but for whatever reason the Frankie has better tone overall.
I just ordered a striped 5150. Waiting for it to arrive. But….. I’m now thinking of getting a Wolfgang. I’ve never even played one but I haven’t seen any negative reviews so far. The local GC has one. I need to get there and check it out before I order one. And then the quandary…. I can’t keep both. We’ll see what happens….
When I click back and forth, the Wolfgang sounds bigger...fuller....they both sound good...but given that you used the same amp, kept everything the same except unplugging the Wolfgang and plugging in the Frankie, I'd pick the Wolfgang based on sound...thanks for posting this...I will say, though, that the Frankie sounds more like the original sound of the first EVH album...in agreement with other comments I read...
It’s very close. I think part of decision is psychological. I do like the feel of a Super Strat over a Wolfgang body. So maybe that influenced me? Thanks for the comment man!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Yeah, I couldn't factor in overall feel of the instrument, because even though I've had Strats and owned a Peavey Wolfgang before...never had an oportunity to play a Frankie....so absolutely; how a guitar feels when someone is playing it holds a huge factor in how the player's performance is going to come off, IMO...if I'm playing a guitar, and it's uncomfortable, it can be distracting to me.....like "man, the action and neck feel on my other guitars is way better" or, "man, I wish this guitar had a belly cut"...hey, thanks for responding to my comment...trusting that you and yours are doing great!
@@RobTackettCovers I agree. Sometimes you have to really give a guitar a fair shot. Play the heck out out of it for a month. If you can’t gel with it by then, it’s possible you may never. I try to rotate through guitars on a regular basis on my collection so I don’t get too caught up on one particular model, however I do have my go to guitars for sure. And my favorites. :)
Both u guyz &Ed &evry1 who wrshipped thFranken floyd let th ONE epicenter leverage revolved around the entire design sift rite thru u fngrz. Who made FRANKENSTRAT &FLOYD ROSE?* Thanks 4videos very informative. Best of least evils. Yea I chose a Gotoh Floyd 4my build. Lol that Vega trim Lucifer came out with recently 2Whitewash my "Floyd." He knows I gonna design couple guitars sell ebay lolmost &that I would reveal 2u guyz thfollowing truth. People dont understand why I design Floyd like I did. Floyd didnt invent "Floyd Rose" i did &Frankenstrat was mine. (Lucifer gave it 2Floyd) Mine (my "Floyd") had ball bearing pivots &bar. Thbar was wide comfy oval. My Drop D wasnt Like Eds lol. Mine was also an on thfly hardtail of sorts that would drop &set entire guitar in much steeper increments of your choice all 6 strings still in tune simultaneously &this was due my propensity 2incorporate Dr. Dre bass as i play, without running out of headroom down low, &, Satans bllsht law tunes u guyz strings 2tight. And so, scratching head, I had 2find way loosen them CORRECTLY@ WILL but momemtarily so I could re tune 2 the idiocy this entire matrix subscribes. Vibrating metal: Has a sweet spot. Lol current string tension aint it. Thtrem concept began such that when string break u just loosen tuner lengthen clamp string back in thtrem vice where it broke, fixed! U get 9lives per string no1 gets that 2this day lol. Strings dont wear out lol. Thats marketing lie. A-hah moment guyz: Bleev it or not, Bells made of brass 4a reason. Lol Satan made solid brass blocks which are useful as a flat tire my brass block had a specific shape. Hollowed out? (...crickets.) Satan controls all manufacturing. Trems 2day emmit vampiric frequencies that weaken yr chakras see 95% humans Yahweh calls PLASTICINES. These plasticine computer animations, avatars in thflesh not humans &they control &advertize all manufacturing. Satan rules with computer get it? He can hack reality google is named after black goo he drank from Yahwehs pure evil abandoned creation computer on Saturn. I am playing guitar again. ..&re building my old Frankenstrat 2 a massively improved1&might sell a couple ebay. Ed left thFrankenstrat, I have his modern stage guitar now. Satan named it "Wolfgang" 4a reason. That crippling thing tears u 2pieces with vampiric frequencies &demons &issues. Dont bleev me? Google EBAY. Play my new1. Satan is Jesus elder of 2million years. He hacked Yahwehs creation computer. He a magician compared 2u his guitars &trems demonic magic tricks designed deliberately 2suck. Deep inside, u KNOW they suck. U are not dumb. &U 5star review his batsht guitars from hell. Bad is now good, good is now bad thumbs down NOT ALLOWED. Van Halen didnt know th Frabkendiamond he held in his hand. He left thFrankenstrat. When some1 buys my "Frank" ebay yea. They will2. Thpond waters have flipped. With people 5star reviewing thmuck clouding their vision. U cant give a poison person Heaven. U cant. Yahweh stated "they will tear their house down with their bare hands." And then they will turn around &rip u 2pieces. 10 years ago had a famous You Tube channel famous musicians subbed when i uploaded tapes of when I re produced their songs on guitar back in 1987. Then Yahweh told us no point in speaking 2them anymore. We were sent 2make a change. He shut us down. I closed thchannel. Satan then went 2court in Heaven &won &downloaded his "pandemic." Most every1 now Plasticines without Yahwehs DNA anymore. Back then I sent out angels 2design me, us an amp up 2very limited extent ofcourse bcuz we rule in thmidst of our enemies. If any Plasticine out there wants 2know which amp it is? let me know?? (a cold deadly silence) Still, "Blessed is thsound of crickets." My Jap Wolf selling 4up 2 5k ebay now. Yea I thought why not I would go ahead buy me that amp go ahead start p>)laying again.) *******&*****
Awesome video as usual! They both sound amazing! I think the wolf has more of a circuit that the signal passes through (tone pot, 3way switch) that probably have an impact on the sound vs the Frankie which is volume pot, output jack. All my 1 pickup machines sound RAW compared to anything else. Keep up the great work man!
I was going to ask someone the cause of the difference in tone. I think you answered that. I'm wondering if you take a Gibson paf or Burst bucker and put it in a Epiphone with a good mahogany body and maple cap if they would sound exactly alike
@@brettjamz3 I've tried it. They're not exactly alike. I used to have 3 Epi LP's that all sounded different with the same pick-up. I have an Orville by Gibson LP that is overly harsh sounding. I had to put a muddier pickup in it to tame it. After experiencing this I believe it's the way that the body, and resonate together that makes the difference. Some guitars have it, and some dont, regardless of brand name.
I have read a few of the comments and agree totally they are different guitars the w g was Eddie's tag on Frankie making it better that's basically what it is it's a Frankie 2.0
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I totally agree I've never had the pleasure of getting to play one either one of those for that matter I watched an interview where he talked about designing the Wolf gang and what all went into it's conception and production hence it was everything he wanted Frankie to be but just couldn't do himself with what he did with Frankie I'm sure it's one hell of a beast the video I watched of how he built Frankie that was crazy and the thought he put into building Frankie and carried it over to the wolf game series was pure genius you definitely look like you were having fun with both of them lucky stiff
Can anyone answer this? Are all of the Wolfi body sizes the same? They’re very tiny and I can never get over it. I have always wondered if the USA version was a bigger body. I’ve picked up two Wolfies and it felt like a kids guitar. But when I look at Eddie with his on it looks normal. Thanks.
Why does he keep saying they differ in scale-length? BOTH are 25.5 inches! The pickups are different; the frets are different; the bodies are different (both basswood, but one with a veneer or cap, and more mass). The scale length is the same. (Oh, and one has HOLES chiseled into it....)
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker: All's well. Good for you that you both respond to comments and make corrections when appropriate! We all make errors: The better man is he who admits it so that errors don't spread. 🙂
Just experienced a weird phenomenon! While the tone on the Frankie sounded more like Eddie's than that of Wolfie's, your playing sounded less like Eddie's while playing Frankie than when playing Wolfie. Does that make sense?
I just stumbled onto this video! The Frankie sounds better partly because the Floyd is a 1000, where the Wolfie has a crap metal "Special", with thin block, and really crappy wiring. Once you lock the nut, the headstock can be chopped off, and the tone wouldn't change. So, it has to be the Floyd, and, wiring. PS - What amp were you using in this one??
Good points man! I thought the Wolfgang had a 1000? I guess I just assumed. I think the Frankie is a assembled so differently it impacts the tone too. It’s just looser and the Wolf is so streamlined and slick. For most of my UA-cam videos I run direct from a Fractal AX with a Friedman BE sim and vintage 4x12 IR. The. Add some delay and verb in protools for the mix. 😎🥂
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I installed a mint '80's Floyd on my Special, and it definitely sounds tighter and brighter. Vintage steel vs. junk. I should also try putting in a 500k tone pot too.
Actually the mass hanging off the end if the neck makes a diff. I have a fender (previously) large headstock neck. The guitar....it was soo scooped sounding i never played it. Had it cut down and put it back on the same guitar. Now it sounds great. The mids are there. Every little thing can add up. Ymmv Take care
They have the same scale length. Upgrade the bridge on the Wolfgang to a real Floyd one or even better, a Gotoh like he had in the EBMM and you'll hear a difference. TBH, I've used both the Wolfie pickups and the Seymour Duncan IM1 (which was the Frankie pickups unbranded) and the Duncan version is just... special. If you're really hunting for THAT sound, I'd stick the US Wolfie pup in the Wolfie and put a Duncan made Frankenstein pickup in the Frankie. They sell it exclusively at their Custom Shop now. Not cheap but they are amazing.
The difference is no tone knob on Frankie to slightly change the sound. Get an old peavey Wolfgang with just the volume knob and it will sound very similar to Frankie. I have the 5150 strat, Frankie, 2evh Wolfgang’s and one peavey Wolfgang that I put pariah Wolfgang pickups in that are slightly hotter than the 32 year old peaveys.
both are sweet guitars and sound verry similar...however frankie is more authentic to the EVH look.... the wolfgang aint no slouch tho! great demo bro!
The Wolfgang's low end ballsiness when playing Unchained seemed to have more drive than the Frankie. That said, the Frankie seems to sing higher notes with a bright, crisp, clarity. Tough pick between the two. I'm sure EVH did this so we'd buy both! 😁😎🤘
i got both of the these guitars they both have same sound richness but I like messing with toggle switch and as of today I bought another wolfgang standard guitar about 4 hours agao ,,should I say say more,,,I lost count how many wolfgangs I have,,, i buy another wolfgang all most every 4 weeks , I drive my girlfreind nuts
Yeh, I know. It has become one of my favorites and I play it all the time. But it’s so Eddie. It really sounds and plays perfect. It just soooo identifiably EVH.
The tremolo on the Frankie is a solid step up from the Wolfgangang Standard. That will make a difference. I have the Frankie and a sunburst version of the Wolfgang Standard QM. I wanted the Purpule one like you have but they were discontinuing it so I took a sunburst. My third EVH is a royal blue Special with a maple neck. It was the last one Sweetwater sold.
I honestly couldn't tell any difference in sound, great tone on both and both sound great when volume rolled back, I do think certain guitars bring out something in you when you pick them up.
I really think the difference is how they feel… and it makes you play different. And I’m your mind you think it sounds better. Lol. Seriously though. 🤟🏻
The peavey is my absolute axe I want. Something about the look, feel,and tone. I can't get into music man. Every one of their low and top tier guitars had something off to me. Usually get one in my hands and instantly hang back up. Idk - Oh an edit - you remind me of Reb Beach and nice EVH fender and Frankie
I'll take the Wolfgang's myself personally I believe that the wolfgangs are for myself personally the guitar that I'm going to go out with to actually gig with not that the stripe series or that the Frankenstein is not as good it's just that the Wolfgang I think is basically all of Eddie's ideas built into one great guitar and they're really is no difference between the USA .special or the standard if you think about it
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker the new slime green 5150 is awesome looking I'm looking into buying the white and black stripes series next month or either the stealth I'm not sure yet
@@rocksteady6448 cool man!! I am about to start building another parts guitar In the next day and finishing up a diver down home made supper strat …. Maybe after these projects I can set my eyes on one of the 5150’s. There’s a red Solar with a sustaniac that is calling my name hard too.
I have a Frankenstein pickup in my homemade Franky. I think they should have put them in the EVH Franky. I know, it would have made them more expensive.
@@shanedavis3414 I believe you’re correct. I am sure it is a cost cutting measure and also to separate some anger from the 25K investors from the $1500-1900 investors. I must say though, the Frankie kicks total butt with the EVH pickup. I want to try the Frankenstein but my gut tells me it would be minimal difference. I want to place one in a future build one day soon.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I also have a 2012 first run WG Special from Japan. Has a lot of the USA specs. It'd be cool if you could compare that one as well.
Scale length (but in this both are same), pots and how the pickup is mounted (tilted or not) would make differences. Wood type will make no difference of body or fretboard. Your hands/playing style make the biggest difference.
This is random, but I’d love to hear the EVH bridge pickups back to back compared with a Gibson 500T, all playing the same riff and, if possible made available as clean DI audio.
Both guitars are 25.5" scale length. The pickup placement is different, frankie is tilted, standard is straight. Frankie's saddle's are steel and the standard's are pot metal. Frankie has no tone pot or toggle switch while the standard does. Both are great guitars but different.
I know, I was doing something else listening to this in the background, and my ears perked when ai heard it the first time. That raised eyebrow look. My head straight jerked when I heard it the 2nd time.
And 3 times a charm, because here I am [actually] writing this 😂🙈
Every one of Mr. Edward’s guitars, cept for the few Gibbers early on, are 25.5”, people. 🤙🏼
I think you are correct, I didn't know scale length was same! Saddles suck on std that is why I put original Floyd Rose on it and big L brass block.. kicks ass 👍👍👍
I myself just go to fu and by all titanium inserts in all of the other parts on the Floyd Rose except for the saddles and along with a 44 mm brass or copper block in that guitar is totally awesome
Frankie also only has one humbucking pickup and a single coil in the neck position vs 2 humbuckers. The magnetics from the two different pickups might have an affect on tone, although I think it would most likely be minimal.
you are very correct even replacing the saddle string blocks with titanium and or stainless steel improves tone slightly but the whole saddle has a significant impact in tone.
The difference in sound is very easy to explain.
The Wolfang has a tone knob, the frankie does't have one.
My Wolfgang tone knob is a 250k one, I was not completely satisfied with the sound, it lacked some bite and power.
I disconnected the tone knob and the guitar came to life.
Try it, it's an easily reversable mod.
Exactly, the more crap the signal has to run to & threw the more loss you will have, that's a big edge the Frankie had by using the bare minimum.
I wonder if there'd be a difference with a 500k?
But it literally and famously does ;-)
It's 500k on the Wolfgang standard per website...
I have to give that a try that sounds very interesting I wonder if that would work on my evh 5150 guitar?
The tone pot on the Wolfgang is a 250k instead of a 500k. That makes a huge difference. Disconnect your tone pot or put in a no load tone pot and it will be way closer to the Frankie. I did this on my evh Wolfgang special and the difference was night and day.
It's a 500k pot on the standards
@@BrandonEht of course it is😂 250K tone pot with humbucker is completly stupid and show how people always talk about what they doesn't know...
I love both, but the Wolfgang just sounds tighter to me. More clarity. The Frankie has a rawer sound. Just my opinion though.
Yeh I am with you.
Gone back and forth, if the volume and the chain never changed, the Wolfgang came across MUCh louder, more defined, but if they are the same pup, well, could be what others stated, the tone knob and the inside electronics. Loved the vid! thanks for posting it!
Ed really knew what he was doing with the wolfgang, other things that were on his USA model that were different than the frankie are the fact his had SS frets, titled back headstock, ebony fingerboard (on stealth), and maybe a few other things I'm forgetting. You mentioned that both have the same pickups, I know that one point the special (MIJ and MIC) had the USA pups and now these are the import equivalent, do you know if they same for the frankie? or does the frankie have a USA pup? the angled pup also makes a difference, saw another vid where there was a comparison
I’m not sure about the country origin of the pickups. Both pickups in these guitars look identical and are stamped and branded identical on the backside. I do know that for sure! Thanks for the comment. I appreciate it!
Frankenstein has its own pickup and the USA pickups are only in the Ed Signature now, and most US models was the quote from Fender. Same scale but the Wolf has a R2 nut and the Frankie will have a R3 making it feel wider in the hand
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker You need to check with a multimeter to be sure. The pup in the Frankie could be hotter than the other and that's what you're noticing when you play that we, the audience, can't, since you're compensating for difference when you play the Wolf.
Regarding scale length, they are both 25-1/2" and I don't really think the headstock size doesn't play into the factor on these guitars because of the locking nut, which makes them the same, from point to point. It may be more of a factor of all the components that encompass each instrument, in my opinion.
You’re probably right about headstock. All I know is that Frankie is a beast and raw. The Wolfgang is steak and refined. But both excellent. 😎
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Again, that makes me think the pup in the Frankie is wound hotter. The pots, as mentioned elsewhere, will also make a big difference.
I believe the difference is Frankie has a 1971 quarter! You're very welcome! Glad to help! Lol thanks!
Bingo
you are right Marty, I had a wolfgang special and never got the VH sound at all. I just got the red and black striped series with the same wolfgang pup and it is a flamethrower! It is exactly the sound, harmonics and dynamics that I always wanted and hoped for from an EVH guitar. The pup being hot wired right off the volume knob makes way more difference than I even hoped it would. I was all set to order the EVH frankenstein classic pup but as soon as my striped series arrived, I can't imagine that pup being better than this wolfgang. Thank -you for this video because it convinced me to finally pull the trigger on this beautiful guitar I have wanted for years. I am not a fan of fake damage relic shit and I love that this is basically the exact guitar that Eddie saw in his mind and was the perfect version of the guitar he was trying to build when he -Eddie-rigged his black and white guitar into frankie. The difference between this and the wolfgang is huge. When I turn my amp on, this hotrod is like holding onto the ghostbusters proton pack!
I think the neck has a lot to do with it too! It's a flamethrower for sure. 😎🤟🏻
Given that the scale length on the two is the same, and the bridge pickup is the same, the two glaring differences to me would be the sheer body size of the Frankie and the fact that the Frankie has a much smaller pickup in the neck position. It's not functional, but it's still real magnetic pickup and it will still pull down on the strings a little bit, impacting the guitar's sustain. Versus the Wolfgang, which has a larger humbucker in the neck position, which will pull the strings even harder toward it. I don't have your equipment as an example, but I do have a Jackson with a dinky body and a Charvel with a much larger strat body and given the significant size difference in the guitars, the Charvel sounds better all day long with more resonance and sustain. You can really feel it reverberate through your body, whereas my Jackson simply doesn't give you that kind of feeling or sound... That's just my .02
I love your input man. Makes total sense to me.
It’s negligible
@@bluwng totally
The Frankie sounds more like the early songs and to me it’s the one I prefer
Same here man. Thanks!! 🎶🎶
Frankenstrat will always be my favorite! huzzah! :)
I am fond of the Frankie too. It feels so good!
I have an EVH Stealth and it's the best sounding guitar I've ever heard, I can sound like Ed to Gilmour to Jimmy (or Jimi for that matter), really amazing!
Love the stealth! 😎🤟🏻
Is the stealth a standard or special
@@patrickmcgee6309 Probably a special.
Like Jimi with humbuckers i'm generally curious now🤔😂
The Frankie has a volume knob.
The Wolfgang had two pickups, a switch, a tone knob and a volume knob. That’s a lot of wire and pots compared to the Frankie.
True that man 👍
5:18 is there any tabs for this part anywhere on youtube mate ?
There are lessons for 316 by Van Halen out there. I highly recommend the ultimate guitar tabs app as well!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Thanks mate !
The Frankie has more clarity. But in saying that there was a volume difference between the Wolfgang and Frankie. The Wolfgang was a little louder. I converted a strat style guitar with Ash body and Maple neck into a Frankie with a FR and left the tone knobs on and I get the same type of brightness and clarity that you are with your Frankie, I just think it has to do with the amount of wood resonance behind the strings.
I would like to know where the evh frankie pick up is built ??
Probably USA. These models have just a Wolfgang standard pickup.
thanks for the shootout.. maybe I missed something, but is the Wolfie toggle set for middle vs Frankie bridge?
Thanks man! It should have been bridge. The upper position is bridge on the Wolfgang’s. I need to flip my switch around. I hate the configuration that way!
Did you upgrade the bridge on the standard? The stock bridges aren't all that great. I was thinking about upgrading to an FU tone bridge
No upgrades. I've heard those are great bridges. 👍
Thanks can you tell me where it is built? made in ?? I can not know thanks.
Wolf=Indonesia
Frankie=Mexico
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Thank you.
Hi
I have problem with designion of right bridge pickup.
Please help if you can.
I have Jackson Warrior WRXT in basewood body and Duncan Design HB108 humbuckers.This is Korean copy Saymour Duncan.Distorzion.
He is look like Invader because he have big hex srews pole pieces.
But his Sound is too bassy and I want more sharper and harsh higher sound. Play 80 hairy metal.
Please what pick up you recommend.
SD Distorzion B Winter Alternative 8
Dimarzio Evo Super2 Dactivator Paf Pro
EVH wolfang Humbucer
Which is best opnion.
What is best magnet for basewood alnico or ceramic.
I play with Yamaha THR10x and some pedals BossSd1 and TS9.
What you think
Kind regards
Out of those options I would choose the EVH pickup. As an alternative I would recommend a Gibson Classic ‘57. Or a Gibson 498T
😎🙌
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker
Thank You for Quick replay
I dont know is that EVH is good because is Alinico 2 and that very warm and is hale right dimenzioni.
What is different beton 59 an 498t
Pickup.
Kind regarfs
@@marijazlatar5457 498 is hotter and more metal. 57 Classic is hot but opens up more. Blooms. More versatile thanks a 498 in my opinion.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker
Thank you regards
Great to hear you again Marty!
The Wolfgang sounds absolutely awesome, as does the Frankie!
The scale lengths on all of these guitars from bridge to nut are standard 25.5. Maybe the overall size makes a difference.
Interesting. I was thinking that Wolfgang was a little less. Yeh perhaps the body size. Length of neck? I think it may be that maple cap on the Wolfgang and I am a believer the angled pickup is also part of the mystery.
Have you played an EVH Striped series compared to the Frankie. I have a circles guitar, they should be the same sound and feel but it seemed the sound is better to me on the frankie but its hard to tell for sure listening on UA-cam
@@jl-zz9zs I’ve played them in stores but not enough to notice if there is a sonic difference. They sounded really good when I played them, I really like the worn feel and vibe of the Frankie though.
You could always swap them.
I did hear a slight difference, but both sounded pretty good.
It is really hard to tell when effects comprise a ton of what we're hearing. I'd love to see you do the same thing with no more than a distortion/overdrive pedal, and definitely samples of it on AND off.
I find the Frankie to be louder acoustically and it really seems to vibrate, the Wolfgang not so much. I reckon it's the Frankie's open finish that makes the difference.
I'd love to hear a comparison of the standard Frankie or Wolfgang Vs one that has all the FU titanium parts, I'm guessing that there not really much difference in terms of sound. I get that the stuff will be stronger, but I doubt most people will be gigging and changing strings everyday to notice any real difference.
you're right, the Frankie is much lighter acoustically. It would be a great test to do the high-end Wolfgang with the better hardware. Little things make a difference for sure. 😁👍
Is this about the differences between the U.S. made EVH pickups and the Indonesian made? I do wonder if it can be possible for the cheaper Asian models to sound the same.
I am not entirely sure man, I can't imagine there's anything different. But who knows?? It's wire and magnets, and all probably wrapped by machines I would assume. Same spec?
I bought the Frankenstein PU for my selfmade Frankenstein Strat. Man...that thing is a hell of a PU. Brutal power but not clipping or dispappointing in any situation. And clear as a bell when turned not over 2on the volume knob. BTW @marty5150: what's the part your are playing 09:52. I know Eddie played that as an intro to his solo on the Live without a Net Dvd. But does it belong to a song? Sounding so good!
I have a Peavey Wolfgang but I find the bridge pickup very harsh sounding and doesn’t clean up very well.
It’s a super hot pickup. Try rolling back your amp gain. Lower the treble a lot and boost the mids. Just a thought?
Upgrade the block in those standards a little titanium in the bridge there's no guitar under $2,000 that will touch it
Does anyone know how the Wolfgang humbucker compares to the DiMarzio Tone Zone?
I’m waiting to take delivery of my frankie next Tuesday here in ireland 🇮🇪..I cannot wait ❤️❤️
It’s such a great guitar. Enjoy and congrats !
Tks marty great video by the way great playing excellent sound 👍👍👍
@@peterfalahee thank you so much! Enjoy the Frankie man! 😎🤟🏻
It would be an interesting experiment to swap the two pickups to hear if there's any difference 🤔
I thought the same thing, but they are the same exact pick up. I took them out and analyzed both of them. Same old gang pick up. I think it has to do with the neck and lack of volume parts etc. the Frankie is just a beast. Raw and powerful😎🎵🎵🎵🙌
Both sound great, however the Wolfgang seems to stand out slightly more to my ears.
The scale length is measured from the nut to the bridge. Yes, they are both exactly the same scale length...25.5".
I’m glad you did this video, because I was convinced they were different pickups. I’d even go as far as measuring the resistence? Because I’ve always thought the Frankie sounded much, MUCH better. More articulate, more bite. I thought someone said that the Frankie pup was made by DiMarzio (at least at one point). Maybe it’s the wiring? I tried to like the Wolfgang but, it never got the bite, and mid-focused, percussive punch of my Les Pauls. When the pickups get too hot, and lose punch, and string separation, it becomes pointless. EVH had it down perfect on Fair Warning, which the EVH-huts swear was a Super Distortion. The Music Man Axis had a pup in it that at one point was made by DiMarzio, that was the best pup I’ve ever heard. Apparently, they went (and still go to great lengths) to protect that pup. And, this comparison is no different….the Frankie sounds better. Let me know if you got a chance to measure the DC on each. I’m right there with you, and scratching my head as to why. GREAT video, thanks for sharing, Marty.
You're welcome! I wound up trading this Wolfgang a few weeks ago for a white special. The special sounds very similar to the Frankie for some reason. I should do another comparison video. The Frankie still is the best sounding overall. It's amazing. I think it's the one pickup snd the angle of the pickup. As well as how the neck bolts on to the body. 😎
Naturally I loved them both. I'm a bit partial to the wolfs. I own 4 now and counting, but yes. Both sounded great.
Thank you! I may adjust the pole pieces on my WG to bring down the highs and lows. More mid range boost. As a test run.
I tried a wolfgang. Though it was amazing, I just never liked guitars with upper bout switches
Seemed you were Englund the Frankie easy more! The sound was definitely different to me using headphones... the Frankie was way brighter but seemed to have less bottom end, did you just switch from one to the other only the cord going out and in the other?
wtf
what are you playing at the 10:15 min. I can't quite put my finger on it. Driving me crazy 🤪 . I just got an EVH Frankie and love it. Great playing by the way.
Your fantastic, was lovely to listen to that. EVH frankie has the mojo and you played of it too. Great stuff!
Thank you so much, I appreciate the comment and feedback. 😎🎶
The sound out of them 2 pick ups are going to be so minimal they're both basswood bodies the maple top on the Wolfgang is only a veneer that could be sanded off and without no effort it's just a thin piece of paper so it's basically basswood both guitars with the same pickups wired the same
That’s true! I just can’t figure out why they are such different animals.
I think you're right that it is the scale length and the mass of the body that is the difference. Not much but you can hear it for sure. Plus the Frankenstein is a one pickup one knob hook up which some swear that that sounds better also. Good demo thank you brother!
Thanks man! The Frankie body just resonates differently. Total different feel. I honestly think the relicing and the Lao t have something to do with how a guitar breathes and resonates. I used to think that was crap. But the relics I have all contain some mojo.
What was your amp rig set up? Just curious what your are using to help get a VH tone. I actually think the Wolfgang had a closer tone to classic EVH, believe it or not.
Yeh man! Thanks for watching the video. For UA-cam I sinister use a Fractal Ax8 with a Friedman sim and Celestion 4x12 IR. Works best for recording videos.
Could listen all day bro
Both sound fantastic! I’m confused why they made the Frankie from Basswood as the original would have been Swamp Ash.
Eddie preferred Basswood.. I was surprised too..but after playing them for 30 years they have a very articulate upper mid range presents
@@bobubastardbbqandmetal9908 I can’t help feel it’s because Basswood is a bit cheaper to source/manufacture.
Having built my own lefty Frankie replica from Swamp Ash, there is a big difference between it and my Wolfgang guitar (even acoustically). Basswood is very soft. Swamp Ash is more dense and just sounds way better IMO.
I think with the EVH brand Franky, people are paying mostly for the paint job rather than a true replica of the original - then again, who could afford the Fender Custom Shop version they released many years prior.
@@ctsguitar Spot on.
Man those guitars sound hot!!! Nice playing brother. I want a red EVH Wolfgang standard for my next geeeeter
Great comparison, I love my Wolfgang special sassafras
Thanks! Wolfgang’s are solid man!
The Frankenstein pickup is definitely a better sound for playing EVH..NO DOUBT
The wolf gang had a much brighter tone quality to it. The Frankie seems to be more muddled or muffled sounding.
Yes, they sound different. The frankie sounds brighter, less muddy, maybe a bit more scooped. Maybe the pickup being crooked, or maybe the height.
Or no magnetic pull of another pickup bc the wolf gang has that second pickup where the second pickup on the Franky is a dummy pickup so there’s no magnetic pull on the strings
@@trollmunchkinzm4364 didn't the dummy pickup pull anyway even disconnected? The magnet still has pull
I have always thought the angled pickup was the secret. I still do.
@@trollmunchkinzm4364 that’s a great point man!!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I agree the angled pickup makes a slight difference. I have a Frankie and a Black and White striped series, upgraded both with big brass blocks, titanium saddles blocks and they do sound slightly different. The only significant differences are the angled humbucker and a slight magnetic pull on the Frankie from the neck picked. It is disconnected but there is still a magnet there. Just a thought. Great video as always!
The Frankie takes the nod on power and brightness.. I am guessing the WG is basswood with only a maple veneer.. but it sounds dull and darker for sure.. I have a Peavy Wolfgang standard in flame green and the guitar just rips.. heavy maple cap brightens the tone.. all these guitars are well made.. I think te he WG or the newer Wolfgang standards from Indonesia have been improved but for sure the Floyd Special must be upgraded.. it's a tone sucker.. also that tone pot needs a looking at.. great vid man..
Thanks man! I appreciate you commenting. Yeh I am sure that’s a maple veneer on the WG. The Frankie is solid basswood from what I have read. I honestly think the different in tone is the body size and the neck. There’s just more wood one less pickup. The angled pickup has to be part of the magic too??
Cool playing & vid, Brother! ANYTHING EVH, and VH in general, is awesome. I'm a Van Halen Freak! I love both of those guitars, and I have (versions of) both guitars. Splitting hairs, but... To me... my Wolfgang is a little smoother, and easier to play, for obvious reasons. And I think my Frankies sound a little rawer, and a little more bad-A$$. But both guitars are killer, and both sound great. LOL But on your guitars... I went back and listened a second time. Man... your Wolfgang is raw, and has crushing power! So I don't know! LOL They're both amazing, and tonal Beasts! Just absolutely smoking hot pickups on both guitars. That's my 2 cents.
Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the feedback. I always feel like the Frankie is a bit rawer sounding. But in review I think they both sound about the same and are amazing. I think the way the Frankie feels when I play it makes me think (psycologically) it sounds better. I just prefer super strats and the way they feel.
Thanks again for the comment! From one VH freak to another. 🎶😎🎶
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Awesome Bro. Thx for the gracious reply. Both killer axes... but man... a Frankie is just such a BEAST! I love them... like you do.
@@jimmyz2098 you’re welcome man. After review again I do say the EVH has a bit nastier vibe and tone to it. I honestly think the angled humbucker and scale length is the reason. The Frankie has more vibration in it too. The Wolfgang is a tight lean machine and cuts like a samurai sword. The Frankie is like a chainsaw. Haha.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker AWESOME comments. Man.... I just still can't believe Ed isn't with us any more. I'm 51... and he's literally gone everywhere I've ever been. All the good times. All the (few) bad times I've had. Happy. Sad. He was always there with the music. It's the sound-track of my Life Bro, for sure. Very cool to share that with you, and others.
@@jimmyz2098 I love all eras of VH. I never saw the original but did catch the tours from 2007 on. I saw OU812 in Syracuse and RHRN and Balance in Nashville. Caught the Charone with VH in Nashville. Saw the 2004 Hagar reunion in Herschey (had all access passes) and then in Cincinnati and Louisville. I miss those times. But man what memories. They really got me through all the ups and downs of life and still do. Anytime I’m feeling down I put on a random selection. Diver Down, Fairwarning…. Etc. it brings me back up. And when I’m up I’ll crank out VH1 or 5150, Ou812. It’s a lifestyle man!
The magic before the first chords at shows. Lights go out. Crowd roars. Eddie squeals a harmonic dive bomb. BAM. They hit you like a train. Great memories. Still can’t believe Ed is gone.
Scale is the same, tuning peg arrangement, doesn’t change anything as there is a locking nut on both!
True. I think it’s the pickup placement. No maple cap perhaps. But they’re certainly different. Both are great.
They both sound amazing
THE FRANKIE WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE
But the Wofie is an absolute fantastic guitar as well
Frankie has a certain vibe! Both guitars are wonderful. Thanks for the comment man!
As Ed would say, 30+ years of trial and error to get to the EVH Wolfgang. Ed's tone chasing bought us to this offering. 😉👍 😎🤘
Did you mod the standard or just the way you have it? (D tuna, blocked/dive only or still floating trem). Bought a WG Zilla standard on sale to work/learn more on rather than killing my US models…flipped the Zilla’s switch to match US models as my brain is now wired in reverse when playing a EVH WG.
Wolfgang and Frankie both different, but great guitars. You can get a lot of variety out of the WG. 78 Eruption is fun as well if you haven’t tried. ✌️
i will choose the wolfgang for sure, more versatile
I totally understand !
They do indeed sound different. I wish they made a Frankie left handed. Have you ever compared the Wolfgang to the striped series? They do make a left handed red/white/black striped series super strat
I have not. I would like to grab a striped series. Been wanting a black and white or a bumble bee. If I could just find one used at a good price!!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker me too- sadly, they only have the classic red/white in a lefty. I love my Wolfgang, though, and I’m thinking about throwing an original Floyd in it to see if there is a difference between the two systems. The Floyd factory said it’s a simple drop in to change them out
@@allendean9807 I like my Wolfgang WG too but just don’t play it often at all. Not sure why! I need to start putting it in my rotation.
Body size is definitely a factor. That is a lot more wood. The maple top is a veneer. I have been told it’s makes no tonal difference. However Paul Reed Smith has addressed this and says absolutely everything contributes to tone. Even the material of the nut. Also, the WG has a Floyd Special. The Frank a Floyd 1000. Floyd 1000 is made of harder material. Special is soft pot metal. I have this exact WG and love it.
on an electric guitar, wood has no impact on the sound, these are old beliefs
My peavey wolf is very scooped Poundcake sounding, I'd hope the frank would be more PAF but I'm nervous it won't be. Will change the pickup if it isn't
The Frankie does definitely sound different. I have several Wolfgangs and Wolfgang specials and love them. I recently purchased the EVH Striped 5150 I'm wondering how close that guitar will sound to the Frankie. That being said my next guitar purchase will be an EVH Frankie.
It would be interesting to compare the striped series and the Frankie. I think all the guitars sound great, but for whatever reason the Frankie has better tone overall.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I haven't been able to compare the two but my 5150 is awesome.
I find the neck on the Frankie to be slightly smaller than the 5150. The Frankie is also more resonant acoustically.
I just ordered a striped 5150. Waiting for it to arrive.
But…..
I’m now thinking of getting a Wolfgang. I’ve never even played one but I haven’t seen any negative reviews so far. The local GC has one. I need to get there and check it out before I order one.
And then the quandary….
I can’t keep both.
We’ll see what happens….
Which amp are you playing?
When I click back and forth, the Wolfgang sounds bigger...fuller....they both sound good...but given that you used the same amp, kept everything the same except unplugging the Wolfgang and plugging in the Frankie, I'd pick the Wolfgang based on sound...thanks for posting this...I will say, though, that the Frankie sounds more like the original sound of the first EVH album...in agreement with other comments I read...
It’s very close. I think part of decision is psychological. I do like the feel of a Super Strat over a Wolfgang body. So maybe that influenced me? Thanks for the comment man!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Yeah, I couldn't factor in overall feel of the instrument, because even though I've had Strats and owned a Peavey Wolfgang before...never had an oportunity to play a Frankie....so absolutely; how a guitar feels when someone is playing it holds a huge factor in how the player's performance is going to come off, IMO...if I'm playing a guitar, and it's uncomfortable, it can be distracting to me.....like "man, the action and neck feel on my other guitars is way better" or, "man, I wish this guitar had a belly cut"...hey, thanks for responding to my comment...trusting that you and yours are doing great!
@@RobTackettCovers I agree. Sometimes you have to really give a guitar a fair shot. Play the heck out out of it for a month. If you can’t gel with it by then, it’s possible you may never. I try to rotate through guitars on a regular basis on my collection so I don’t get too caught up on one particular model, however I do have my go to guitars for sure. And my favorites. :)
Awesome... EVH Wolfgang best tone and sound for me... by a clear mile.. I'm off to buy a Wolfgang Special...
Both u guyz &Ed &evry1 who wrshipped thFranken floyd let th ONE epicenter leverage revolved around the entire design sift rite thru u fngrz.
Who made FRANKENSTRAT &FLOYD ROSE?*
Thanks 4videos very informative. Best of least evils.
Yea I chose a Gotoh Floyd 4my build.
Lol that Vega trim Lucifer came out with recently 2Whitewash my "Floyd." He knows I gonna design couple guitars sell ebay lolmost &that I would reveal 2u guyz thfollowing truth.
People dont understand why I design Floyd like I did.
Floyd didnt invent "Floyd Rose" i did &Frankenstrat was mine. (Lucifer gave it 2Floyd)
Mine (my "Floyd") had ball bearing pivots &bar.
Thbar was wide comfy oval. My Drop D wasnt Like Eds lol.
Mine was also an on thfly hardtail of sorts that would drop &set entire guitar in much steeper increments of your choice all 6 strings still in tune simultaneously &this was due my propensity 2incorporate Dr. Dre bass as i play, without running out of headroom down low, &, Satans bllsht law tunes u guyz strings 2tight. And so, scratching head, I had 2find way loosen them CORRECTLY@ WILL but momemtarily so I could re tune 2 the idiocy this entire matrix subscribes.
Vibrating metal:
Has a sweet spot. Lol current string tension aint it.
Thtrem concept began such that when string break u just loosen tuner lengthen clamp string back in thtrem vice where it broke, fixed!
U get 9lives per string no1 gets that 2this day lol.
Strings dont wear out lol. Thats marketing lie.
A-hah moment guyz:
Bleev it or not, Bells made of brass 4a reason. Lol Satan made solid brass blocks which are useful as a flat tire my brass block had a specific shape. Hollowed out? (...crickets.)
Satan controls all manufacturing. Trems 2day emmit vampiric frequencies that weaken yr chakras see 95% humans Yahweh calls PLASTICINES. These plasticine computer animations, avatars in thflesh not humans &they control &advertize all manufacturing.
Satan rules with computer get it? He can hack reality google is named after black goo he drank from Yahwehs pure evil abandoned creation computer on Saturn.
I am playing guitar again. ..&re building my old Frankenstrat 2 a massively improved1&might sell a couple ebay. Ed left thFrankenstrat, I have his modern stage guitar now. Satan named it "Wolfgang" 4a reason. That crippling thing tears u 2pieces with vampiric frequencies &demons &issues.
Dont bleev me? Google EBAY.
Play my new1.
Satan is Jesus elder of 2million years. He hacked Yahwehs creation computer. He a magician compared 2u his guitars &trems demonic magic tricks designed deliberately 2suck. Deep inside, u KNOW they suck. U are not dumb.
&U 5star review his batsht guitars from hell.
Bad is now good, good is now bad thumbs down NOT ALLOWED.
Van Halen didnt know th Frabkendiamond he held in his hand. He left thFrankenstrat. When some1 buys my "Frank" ebay yea. They will2. Thpond waters have flipped. With people 5star reviewing thmuck clouding their vision.
U cant give a poison person Heaven. U cant. Yahweh stated "they will tear their house down with their bare hands."
And then they will turn around &rip u 2pieces.
10 years ago had a famous You Tube channel famous musicians subbed when i uploaded tapes of when I re produced their songs on guitar back in 1987. Then Yahweh told us no point in speaking 2them anymore. We were sent 2make a change. He shut us down. I closed thchannel.
Satan then went 2court in Heaven &won &downloaded his "pandemic."
Most every1 now Plasticines without Yahwehs DNA anymore.
Back then I sent out angels 2design me, us an amp up 2very limited extent ofcourse bcuz we rule in thmidst of our enemies. If any Plasticine out there wants 2know which amp it is? let me know?? (a cold deadly silence)
Still,
"Blessed is thsound of crickets."
My Jap Wolf selling 4up 2 5k ebay now.
Yea I thought why not I would go ahead buy me that amp go ahead start p>)laying again.)
*******&*****
Awesome video as usual! They both sound amazing! I think the wolf has more of a circuit that the signal passes through (tone pot, 3way switch) that probably have an impact on the sound vs the Frankie which is volume pot, output jack. All my 1 pickup machines sound RAW compared to anything else. Keep up the great work man!
I agree. Sounds like solid guitar science! Thank you man!🎶☮️
I was going to ask someone the cause of the difference in tone. I think you answered that. I'm wondering if you take a Gibson paf or Burst bucker and put it in a Epiphone with a good mahogany body and maple cap if they would sound exactly alike
@@brettjamz3 it’s pretty damn close. The right pots and pickups are a huge factor.
@@brettjamz3 I've tried it. They're not exactly alike. I used to have 3 Epi LP's that all sounded different with the same pick-up. I have an Orville by Gibson LP that is overly harsh sounding. I had to put a muddier pickup in it to tame it. After experiencing this I believe it's the way that the body, and resonate together that makes the difference. Some guitars have it, and some dont, regardless of brand name.
I have read a few of the comments and agree totally they are different guitars the w g was Eddie's tag on Frankie making it better that's basically what it is it's a Frankie 2.0
Then Wolf is really a nice, clean shredder and it’s setup and playability are great. It’s quite a refined beast!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I totally agree I've never had the pleasure of getting to play one either one of those for that matter I watched an interview where he talked about designing the Wolf gang and what all went into it's conception and production hence it was everything he wanted Frankie to be but just couldn't do himself with what he did with Frankie I'm sure it's one hell of a beast the video I watched of how he built Frankie that was crazy and the thought he put into building Frankie and carried it over to the wolf game series was pure genius you definitely look like you were having fun with both of them lucky stiff
Well i gotta pick one in a soon purchase
Now im really torn lol
I have to kramer guitars, one has a straight angle vs slanted angled pickup.
The scale length is the same on both guitars.
Can anyone answer this? Are all of the Wolfi body sizes the same? They’re very tiny and I can never get over it. I have always wondered if the USA version was a bigger body. I’ve picked up two Wolfies and it felt like a kids guitar. But when I look at Eddie with his on it looks normal.
Thanks.
For the most part yes. For EVH branded, the Special and USA models are arch top and the standards are flat top but size wise the same (I own both)
@@Coilbacklew Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.
Yeh. I hear you man. Kinda small. And same shape.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker Thanks Marty. Think I’ll just get the relic. I like it just as much.
@@finmac5548 Thanks for the details. One thing for sure, sounds freaking bad ass.
Maybe the lack of a tone knob on Frankie?
But Frankie definitely sounds more authentic...
The best two guitars, but the Golf Gang is more practical. ❤For me many thanks 🙏🏻 Your demo 💯✔️🎸💪👍🍃🌹🌹🌹🎼🎸✔️🎼🎼✔️🎸
You’re very welcome. Thanks for watching!!! 😎☮️
Thnk you my friend ☀️⭐️👍🎼🎸🥇🌹🥁🎸🎼🎼☮️🎸🎼🌹
Why does he keep saying they differ in scale-length? BOTH are 25.5 inches!
The pickups are different; the frets are different; the bodies are different (both basswood, but one with a veneer or cap, and more mass). The scale length is the same. (Oh, and one has HOLES chiseled into it....)
I was mistaken in my info on scale. Apologies. ☮️
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker: All's well. Good for you that you both respond to comments and make corrections when appropriate!
We all make errors: The better man is he who admits it so that errors don't spread. 🙂
imho, both sound great... and sound exactly what you would expect them to with the style difference eddie switched to in the hagar years.
Just experienced a weird phenomenon! While the tone on the Frankie sounded more like Eddie's than that of Wolfie's, your playing sounded less like Eddie's while playing Frankie than when playing Wolfie. Does that make sense?
Yeh VH it does. I just improv off the cuff on these videos, perhaps I was brought to a new place when jamming on the Frankie? Just zoning.
I felt more at home with franky because it. had that crisp sounds to it
I just stumbled onto this video! The Frankie sounds better partly because the Floyd is a 1000, where the Wolfie has a crap metal "Special", with thin block, and really crappy wiring. Once you lock the nut, the headstock can be chopped off, and the tone wouldn't change. So, it has to be the Floyd, and, wiring. PS - What amp were you using in this one??
Good points man! I thought the Wolfgang had a 1000? I guess I just assumed. I think the Frankie is a assembled so differently it impacts the tone too. It’s just looser and the Wolf is so streamlined and slick.
For most of my UA-cam videos I run direct from a Fractal AX with a Friedman BE sim and vintage 4x12 IR. The. Add some delay and verb in protools for the mix. 😎🥂
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I installed a mint '80's Floyd on my Special, and it definitely sounds tighter and brighter. Vintage steel vs. junk. I should also try putting in a 500k tone pot too.
Actually the mass hanging off the end if the neck makes a diff.
I have a fender (previously) large headstock neck.
The guitar....it was soo scooped sounding i never played it.
Had it cut down and put it back on the same guitar.
Now it sounds great. The mids are there.
Every little thing can add up.
Ymmv
Take care
yeeaahh man \m/ the Wolf is completely brilliant and Frank is totally awesome \m/
Thanks Dave! I enjoyed comparing these guitars. They are both monsters!
Marty, looking on you is like looking on Reb Beach clone haha
Nice comparison btw.
They have the same scale length. Upgrade the bridge on the Wolfgang to a real Floyd one or even better, a Gotoh like he had in the EBMM and you'll hear a difference. TBH, I've used both the Wolfie pickups and the Seymour Duncan IM1 (which was the Frankie pickups unbranded) and the Duncan version is just... special. If you're really hunting for THAT sound, I'd stick the US Wolfie pup in the Wolfie and put a Duncan made Frankenstein pickup in the Frankie. They sell it exclusively at their Custom Shop now. Not cheap but they are amazing.
The difference is no tone knob on Frankie to slightly change the sound. Get an old peavey Wolfgang with just the volume knob and it will sound very similar to Frankie. I have the 5150 strat, Frankie, 2evh Wolfgang’s and one peavey Wolfgang that I put pariah Wolfgang pickups in that are slightly hotter than the 32 year old peaveys.
both are sweet guitars and sound verry similar...however frankie is more authentic to the EVH look....
the wolfgang aint no slouch tho!
great demo bro!
Frankie looks more fun, I would feel like playing that one more, sold my Van Halen Musicman, hated the body shape although a great guitar!!!
its the tone knob..or lack of one
Yeh probably so, in all honesty. 👍
If I compare 5.17min with 10min I would tend to prefer the Wolfgang. Both are truly amazing.
Th add for the comment! It’s a close battle. 😎
The Wolfgang's low end ballsiness when playing Unchained seemed to have more drive than the Frankie. That said, the Frankie seems to sing higher notes with a bright, crisp, clarity. Tough pick between the two. I'm sure EVH did this so we'd buy both! 😁😎🤘
i got both of the these guitars they both have same sound richness but I like messing with toggle switch and as of today I bought another wolfgang standard guitar about 4 hours agao ,,should I say say more,,,I lost count how many wolfgangs I have,,, i buy another wolfgang all most every 4 weeks , I drive my girlfreind nuts
Man, I know what you mean. My guitars multiply like rabbits. Haha
I would take the EVH logo off of the headstock and place some reflectors on the back of the guitar body.
The frankie pick up is phenomenal!!!!!! There supposed to be the same but my frankie fkn ripped
It would be great if they made the Franky in solid colors so we could play the guitar out without feeling like a hack.
Yeh, I know. It has become one of my favorites and I play it all the time. But it’s so Eddie. It really sounds and plays perfect. It just soooo identifiably EVH.
Well, you just got your wish.
The tremolo on the Frankie is a solid step up from the Wolfgangang Standard. That will make a difference. I have the Frankie and a sunburst version of the Wolfgang Standard QM. I wanted the Purpule one like you have but they were discontinuing it so I took a sunburst. My third EVH is a royal blue Special with a maple neck. It was the last one Sweetwater sold.
I honestly couldn't tell any difference in sound, great tone on both and both sound great when volume rolled back, I do think certain guitars bring out something in you when you pick them up.
I really think the difference is how they feel… and it makes you play different. And I’m your mind you think it sounds better. Lol. Seriously though. 🤟🏻
The peavey is my absolute axe I want. Something about the look, feel,and tone. I can't get into music man. Every one of their low and top tier guitars had something off to me. Usually get one in my hands and instantly hang back up. Idk - Oh an edit - you remind me of Reb Beach and nice EVH fender and Frankie
I'll take the Wolfgang's myself personally I believe that the wolfgangs are for myself personally the guitar that I'm going to go out with to actually gig with not that the stripe series or that the Frankenstein is not as good it's just that the Wolfgang I think is basically all of Eddie's ideas built into one great guitar and they're really is no difference between the USA .special or the standard if you think about it
The Wolfgang’s are awesome guitars! I really am digging the 5150 series man. I want a green one so bad!!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker the new slime green 5150 is awesome looking I'm looking into buying the white and black stripes series next month or either the stealth I'm not sure yet
@@rocksteady6448 cool man!! I am about to start building another parts guitar In the next day and finishing up a diver down home made supper strat …. Maybe after these projects I can set my eyes on one of the 5150’s. There’s a red Solar with a sustaniac that is calling my name hard too.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker that's awesome rock & roll
I have a Frankenstein pickup in my homemade Franky. I think they should have put them in the EVH Franky. I know, it would have made them more expensive.
I agree man! Why not put the Frankenstein in the Frankie?! I’ve always wondered that!
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I think they originally were put in the ridiculously priced 25k dollar replica Chip Ellis made.
@@shanedavis3414 I believe you’re correct. I am sure it is a cost cutting measure and also to separate some anger from the 25K investors from the $1500-1900 investors.
I must say though, the Frankie kicks total butt with the EVH pickup. I want to try the Frankenstein but my gut tells me it would be minimal difference. I want to place one in a future build one day soon.
@@Ranch5150SkinWalker I also have a 2012 first run WG Special from Japan. Has a lot of the USA specs. It'd be cool if you could compare that one as well.
Scale length (but in this both are same), pots and how the pickup is mounted (tilted or not) would make differences. Wood type will make no difference of body or fretboard. Your hands/playing style make the biggest difference.
I want a Wolfgang body with the Frankie neck !
I think the Wolfgang's second pickup is killing some of the sustain from magnetic pull. The Frankie sounds mote treble and alive.
Very nice! I mean you're playing too! Lol Marty!
This is random, but I’d love to hear the EVH bridge pickups back to back compared with a Gibson 500T, all playing the same riff and, if possible made available as clean DI audio.