Wolfgang Special vs. JS 1000

EngineOfCreation · #1 02-14-2003, 10:24 PM

First, I've been reading this forum for a while, just didn't post before. But it's a very friendly and usefull forum. Little introduction: I'm from Holland. I've been playing guitar for about 10 yrs now, and I'm a Satch and Vai fan just as long. Been on the Satch-L for years and see some familiar nicks from there (btw, does the Satch-L list still exist? I kinda lost track some time ago. Rich?). I have been playing a RG550 most of the time, but bought a JS1000BTB (1997, with the ugly "JS Custom" inlay) about a year ago, and a JS90HAM a couple of months ago. I love the 90HAM, and will probably sell the JS1000.

Now, for my question: I have seen an ad from a guy offering a Peavey EVH Wolfgang Special (US made, black, with Floyd Rose/D-Tuna, no arch top) and suggesting a trade with a JS1000. I have never played a Wolfgang, but it looks like a guitar that would fit my taste. I'm curious if there's any people that have played both the Wolfgang Special and a JS1000. How would they compare, playability, neck, frets etc.?

Would it be a fair trade? I know the arched top Wolfgang is worth more than a JS1000, but I've never seen a 2nd hand Wolfgang Special before here in Holland. I think the Wolfgang the guy's offering is newer than my '97 JS1000. TIA

chromeboy · #2 02-14-2003, 11:31 PM

You should definitely play a Wolfie before you decide, the neck reminds me of a baseball bat....definitely a personal thing.

Wolfgang Specials can be found anywhere from $400-600+ depending on condition. As for the Archtops, I picked up a dead mint one for $800. Personally I wouldn't trade, you would most likely do better if you sold your JS1000 and then bought a used Wolfie Special.

Good luck.

Rich · #3 02-15-2003, 09:50 AM

I too hate the neck on them, but again, that's a personal thing

The List is alive and well, where ya been?

Drew · #4 02-15-2003, 12:07 PM

They're two completely different beasts.

I actually didn't mind the Wolfgang's neck... Sure, it's thick, but it's pretty Strat-ish, and fits your hand comfortably. The bigger issue, however, is the scale length- the wolfgang is either 25 even (sorta a gibson/fender hybrid) or 24 3/4 (straigt-up Gibson). This is slightly shorter than the JS's 25 1/4, and will give you a rounder, softer tone... a subtle effect, of course, and much less prominant than what you'll get from the body wood, pickups, etc.

Also, you'll be missing the tone knob... i almost never use mine, but i like having it there. And i don't think the EVH coil-taps, but that can be rewired...

As for the trem and D-tuna, well, between the thing sticking out and the fact it has to be blocked to dive-only mode for it to not go out of tune when you use it, you won't be able to pull up on the EVH's trem. Also, this is of course pretty subjective, but i think that every last soul on this forum will tell you as a fact that the Edge trem on the JS destroys the Floyd on the EVH.

That was a joke.

Personally, i thought it was a very fun guitar. The shorter scale lent itself to stretchy licks in the lower registers, and it's a touchstyle player's dream. I wouldn't buy one as my main guitar, and since i'm a starving college student that's basically saying i won't be buying one for a LONG time

but it'd be a fun guitar to have laying around. The JS can do things that the EVH can't (better trem, tone knob and coil tap) but since you already have a JS90, if you want the EVH, then i'd say do it. but try to get him to sweeten the deal a bit with some cash. Also, see if you can play the thing first- necks are a hugely subjective thing...

-Drew

AARRGGHHH · #5 02-16-2003, 05:40 PM

I believe that the Wolfgang does have a 25.5 inch scale, i think its just set up for lower tension(sp?).

Heres the link to the peavey site saying it has a 25.5 inch scale
http://peavey.com/products/amps_mi/e...intagegold.cfm

EngineOfCreation · #6 02-16-2003, 08:30 PM

Have mailed the guy, but no response yet

I think I'm gonna play one at a shop soon to see what it's like. I have a strat as well, so if the neck is strat-ish that won't be a bad thing necessarily. Funny, I started on an old RG with an original Wizard neck (one of the thinnest necks around I believe) ten years ago and seem to like those 'baseball bats" more and more while getting older. Maybe it's because of the size of my hands, dunno..

BTW, I'll probably buy a RG7620 very soon. Quite a different species than the Wolfgang, but I want a 7-string for a long time now and came along this nice used RG7620. Would prefer a UV, but those are quite rare in Holland and I'm losing my patience

Will let you guys know when one of either axes has arrived

And Rich, could you please PM or mail some info on how to join the Satch-L mailing list again? Can't find anything except for old info.. it's not on listed Lsoft.com anymore, and Mr. Google couldn't help me out either... TIA

Drew · #7 02-17-2003, 02:45 PM

hmm, 25 1/2 it is... weird.

It's impossible to set it up for "lighter tension" than a standard 25 1/2 scale neck without either using lighter strings or a shorter scale. You can tweak the setup a bit to change the tension, but there's no mods that would make it any lighter than any other 25.5 scale neck set up in the same manner.

-Drew

AARRGGHHH · #8 02-17-2003, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew

It's impossible to set it up for "lighter tension" than a standard 25 1/2 scale neck without either using lighter strings or a shorter scale. You can tweak the setup a bit to change the tension, but there's no mods that would make it any lighter than any other 25.5 scale neck set up in the same manner.

-Drew

Yeah i guess so. but they do feel like they have less tension. maybe its because im just not used to .9s

10pizza · #9 02-18-2003, 03:36 AM

I own a JS10th and a Peavey Wolfgang USA standard which I had sent over from the US to Holland ( cheaper at the time then buying directly in Holland )

I wouldn't want to choose between the two since there two totally different guitars.

As for the Wolfgang neck it's a matter of personal taste. I like it a lot, but I also like the neck of the JS a lot.

Haven't played a wolfgang special, so I don't know about that one.

My Advice to Engine of Creation: try it out in the shop. If you live near Amersfoort you can visit a well known shop there, they will have both Ibanez's and Peaveys in stock.

Scott 74 · #10 02-18-2003, 06:47 AM

Personally I've owned both, and if I could get a Wolfgang neck onto a JS with a AANJ, and pointy Ibanez headstock I'd be in heaven, but like everyone has already said thats just my personal preference so you'd be better off trying one before you make any decision! Besides what's wrong with the "JS Custom" inlay? I think it's pretty cool :P

EngineOfCreation · #11 02-22-2003, 05:51 PM

Still no response from the Wolfgang dude, and now I've bought a JEM10 and a RG7620 so I think I'll pass on the Wolfie this time.. but I will try one in a shop anyway to see what it's like. Will probably just sell my JS1000 instead of trading/buying another guitar. Buying four guitars in three months (two in two days, hehe) should be enough..

And Scott: I just think the JS Custom inlay looks a bit cheap. Would have preferred no inlay at all. Actually, on my JS90HAM there's a "90th Anniversary Model" inlay, which I don't like either, although it's more subtle than the JS Custom one. I like a nice smooth black ebony fingerboard without any dots, so the JS90 is the best you can get (without having a custom neck made). Now, for my new JEM10, that's another story, that abalone vine is a piece of art

zerolight · #12 03-26-2003, 08:44 AM

I owned a black arch top Wolfie (all basswood). Very nice guitar. However I always preferred the look of the Music Man Axis (previously MM EVH). They are pretty much the same guitars, except that my Axis is Basswood with a Maple top (same as the translucent finished Wolfies). Both guitars sound very similar and have virtually identical necks. The MM is just a prettier guitar, and holds its value better. You should defo check out the Axis if your thinking of a Wolfie.

As for the neck. Its the best neck I've had on any guitar, and if you read some reviews, most agree that the neck is one of the best around. Great tone too from the body. The Axis is currently my only guitar, though I am going to buy another guitar next month, a JEM7VWH from Rich... I have toyed with a PRS, but worry that they are more "furniture" guitars.