Questions for the EVH aficionados.

[HomespunEffects]

Did he actually like the pickup selector in the Les Paul position (on the top instead of by the volume control)? Is it because it’s out of the way and less likely to be accidentally switched? Or did he actually never use the selector or neck pickup?

Did he actually ever use the tone control?

 

[FuzzyAce]

Did he actually like the pickup selector in the Les Paul position (on the top instead of by the volume control)? Is it because it’s out of the way and less likely to be accidentally switched? Or did he actually never use the selector or neck pickup?

Did he actually ever use the tone control?

He used the neck pickup as years went on. I'm sure he liked the selector on the upper horn since it was put there?

 

[HomespunEffects]

… I'm sure he liked the selector on the upper horn since it was put there?

I’m wondering if it’s because the selectors in the Strat position get in the way.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I’m wondering if it’s because the selectors in the Strat position get in the way.

Could be. I love it in the standard strat position but I'm also not an avid trem user either.

 

[Chocol8]

Did he actually like the pickup selector in the Les Paul position (on the top instead of by the volume control)?

Considering he tweaked anything and everything with his personal guitars and the EVH line and was meticulous about small details, I think it is safe to say he put the switch exactly where he wanted it. He also pulled the blade switch out of his Strats so it's a safe bet he did NOT like that position.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Considering he tweaked anything and everything with his personal guitars and the EVH line and was meticulous about small details, I think it is safe to say he put the switch exactly where he wanted it. He also pulled the blade switch out of his Strats so it's a safe bet he did NOT like that position.

Yeah but wouldn’t the switch get in the way with his right hand tapping technique?

 

[Chocol8]

Yeah but wouldn’t the switch get in the way with his right hand tapping technique?

I don't think so, but the possibility that he could bump it is probably why he wired them so up was bridge.

 

[Eagle]

Yes he liked it and for anyone that doesn’t know it’s wired back to front.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I don't think so, but the possibility that he could bump it is probably why he wired them so up was bridge.

That’s what I was thinking but if he bumped it while trapping why not move it to the better and obvious place? The unused tone control hole.

 

[Chocol8]

That’s what I was thinking but if he bumped it while trapping why not move it to the better and obvious place? The unused tone control hole.

I don’t know what Ed was thinking, but the original Music Man version had the switch under the neck pickup, and he moved it when he redesigned it for Peavey. When they redid everything for Fender he kept the switch position basically unchanged.

As for the tone control, he asked Fender to make it a stiffer turning pot because he was accidentally bumping it. Don’t ask me how, but that must be why he didn’t want a switch down there. And that is a perfect example of the level of detail he cared about. He was tweaking the friction on the volume to be lower and tone knobs higher, moving pickups tiny fractions of an inch etc. so you know the switch is exactly where he wanted it.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I don’t know what Ed was thinking …

That’s where so want to go with this thread. I was never much of a fan but the guy had quite an ear and was precise with every decision. I was hoping the fans would know the minutia.

 

[joezlo]

The axis had it on the lower horn for a concern of switching the pup while tapping (hitting the selector with his forearm) I also wonder with the Axis if the concept of having the selector & pot in the same cavity was considered a way to cut less wood out of the body.

Ed said in 91 he really enjoyed the guitar and was using the neck pup (which he called the front pickup) more since it was created to his specifications and he was happy with the sound.

Peavey Wolf - the pickup selector was moved to the standard LP spot, but it is upside-down as Eagle said (up is bridge, down is neck) which prevented a tapping forearm from switching the pickup (supposedly). Tone knob was added, though I don't think Ed ever touched it live, and he gravitated toward the flat top specials with the maple caps mostly (which only had a volume pot) live as time went on. (A Peavey wolfgang Special is the only guitar I've ever left stock. It never needed anything except a fret dress & a NOS bridge as I played it so much my sweat rotted the saddles some how)

EVH Wolf - Addition on low friction volume pot (which I do not personally like - just my preference) EVH branded Floyd rose & slight movement of pickup cavities. As a guitar mod junkie, I prefer the standards.

 

[Eagle]

The axis had it on the lower horn for a concern of switching the pup while tapping (hitting the selector with his forearm) I also wonder with the Axis if the concept of having the selector & pot in the same cavity was considered a way to cut less wood out of the body.

Ed said in 91 he really enjoyed the guitar and was using the neck pup (which he called the front pickup) more since it was created to his specifications and he was happy with the sound.

Peavey Wolf - the pickup selector was moved to the standard LP spot, but it is upside-down as Eagle said (up is bridge, down is neck) which prevented a tapping forearm from switching the pickup (supposedly). Tone knob was added, though I don't think Ed ever touched it live, and he gravitated toward the flat top specials with the maple caps mostly (which only had a volume pot) live as time went on. (A Peavey wolfgang Special is the only guitar I've ever left stock. It never needed anything except a fret dress & a NOS bridge as I played it so much my sweat rotted the saddles some how)

EVH Wolf - Addition on low friction volume pot (which I do not personally like - just my preference) EVH branded Floyd rose & slight movement of pickup cavities. As a guitar mod junkie, I prefer the standards.

Some of Ed’s wolfs have been double volumes .
Also Ed wanted a Duncan custom custom in the neck of the music man originally but was persuaded to let Dimarzio try to equal it.

 

[Chocol8]

The axis had it on the lower horn for a concern of switching the pup while tapping (hitting the selector with his forearm) I also wonder with the Axis if the concept of having the selector & pot in the same cavity was considered a way to cut less wood out of the body.

By “axis” I assume you mean the Music Man EVH guitars. They had the selector on the lower front where the newer signatures have the kill switch. After the EVH relationship ended and they were renamed as the Axis, MM moved the selector switch closer to a Strat position.

 

[Eagle]

By “axis” I assume you mean the Music Man EVH guitars. They had the selector on the lower front where the newer signatures have the kill switch. After the EVH relationship ended and they were renamed as the Axis, MM moved the selector switch closer to a Strat position.

And added a back contour and slightly widened the heel. The trem is also now different.

 

[HomespunEffects]

The axis had it on the lower horn for a concern of switching the pup while tapping (hitting the selector with his forearm) I also wonder with the Axis if the concept of having the selector & pot in the same cavity was considered a way to cut less wood out of the body.

Ed said in 91 he really enjoyed the guitar and was using the neck pup (which he called the front pickup) more since it was created to his specifications and he was happy with the sound.

Peavey Wolf - the pickup selector was moved to the standard LP spot, but it is upside-down as Eagle said (up is bridge, down is neck) which prevented a tapping forearm from switching the pickup (supposedly). Tone knob was added, though I don't think Ed ever touched it live, and he gravitated toward the flat top specials with the maple caps mostly (which only had a volume pot) live as time went on. (A Peavey wolfgang Special is the only guitar I've ever left stock. It never needed anything except a fret dress & a NOS bridge as I played it so much my sweat rotted the saddles some how)

EVH Wolf - Addition on low friction volume pot (which I do not personally like - just my preference) EVH branded Floyd rose & slight movement of pickup cavities. As a guitar mod junkie, I prefer the standards.

I see. It’s been changed over the years. That makes sense but the current position is a no go for me.

 

[Chocol8]

the current position is a no go for me.

I don't love it but all my HH and dual P90 guitars, except for my Crabronita Tele have that Gibson switch position and I can deal with it.

I know others including Ed have trouble with the Strat position, but I have always loved Strat control and switch placement more than any other. I guess it is a personal thing.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I don't love it but all my HH and dual P90 guitars, except for my Crabronita Tele have that Gibson switch position and I can deal with it.

I know others including Ed have trouble with the Strat position, but I have always loved Strat control and switch placement more than any other. I guess it is a personal thing.

I hit the Strat position switch with regular picking. It’s too close. I am also not a fan of the Strat volume knob position.

 

[SonVolt]

Does anyone know why the EVH Franky's pickup sounds hotter than the EVH MIJ Wolfgang? Both have "Wolfgang" pickups listed in the specs.

 

[DrewJD82]

I don't love it but all my HH and dual P90 guitars, except for my Crabronita Tele have that Gibson switch position and I can deal with it.

I know others including Ed have trouble with the Strat position, but I have always loved Strat control and switch placement more than any other. I guess it is a personal thing.

Yeah, even though I do turn my volume knob down frequently, I still prefer Strat’s control placement because I can actually adjust the volume pot while playing. Can’t say I’ve ever hit the selector switch by accident, but my favorite position for that is the EBMM Petrucci/Richardson location-

Just a tiny reach away that I can pull off without dashing back to the string or taking chunks of wood/paint off my guitars from the pick slamming into the body at a fast rate of speed.