Guitar World Exclusive! Eddie Van Halen Talks About His New EVH Wolfgang Guitar
In a new, exclusive interview with Eddie Van Halen, Guitar World magazine talks to the Van Halen legend about the making of his new EVH Wolfgang guitar from Fender (due in stores in early 2009). In the interview, appearing in the February issue of the magazine, the guitarist explains how the Wolfgang is “a culmination of my 35 years of experimenting with guitars. Everything that I’ve destroyed, stumbled onto, learned and experienced in my journey to get to where we are now is in this guitar. And there is a lot more to come.
“A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I’m very brutal on my instruments, but not all the time. I’m not to the point where I’m like Pete Townshend and smashing the shit out of it after a gig. I wouldn’t do that to an instrument that is a part of me. I don’t need to do this for financial reasons. I could have just stayed at home and built this guitar for myself. I do this because a lot of people ask if they can get what I use. Well, yes you can and what you get is identical to what I use.”
Throughout the in-person interview with Guitar World writer Chris Gill, which took place in a workshop at the EVH/FMIC (Fender Musical Instrument Corporation) factory, Van Halen details the painstaking process of designing and constructing the EVH Wolfgang.
“The tolerance of things on this guitar is like NASA standards. It had to be tight, and it had to be quality. Le Mans is probably the most important race on the planet. It’s 24 hours—a grueling, brutal race. There’s a reason why an Audi R8 won that race three years in a row [2000–2002]. Those guys did what we did with this guitar. They paid attention to every damn detail. You can’t say, ‘Oh, that will do.’ No, it won’t do.”
Regarding the slim profile of the Wolfgang neck, Van Halen commented, “It was a matter of closing my eyes and feeling it. We went back to some of my earlier guitars, like the striped guitar I had back in 1984. That’s the way I like it to feel. It’s nice. It’s like a sexy woman.”
When asked if we could expect any new music from him soon, the guitarist had this to say:
“I’ll be making music ’til the day I die. I’ve done all kinds of stuff, and more is coming. I can’t tell you exactly when right now. Wolfgang is in the 12th grade and he needs to graduate first. Then I’m getting married in June. We’ll pick it up after that.”
*The complete interview appears in the February issue of Guitar World, on sale December 16, 2008.
*An exclusive video documentary featuring Eddie Van Halen on the making of the EVH Wolfgang guitar will appear on the CD-ROM that accompanies each issue of the February issue.
SPECIAL OFFER for collectors:
VanHalenStore.com is taking pre-orders for the issue.
Filed under: Eddie Van Halen, Merchandise
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November 11th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Seriously, is it just me or ? … What’s the big deal. It’s a Fender remake of the Peavey Wolfgang. And why has the Dunlop EVH wah been delayed month after month all year long ? And wow, no new music until after next summer ??? Come on ED !!!
November 11th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
With as many prototypes he played during the tour, I don’t think it’s a simple “remake” model.
Why not take advantage of Fender’s technology and revenue and produce a new “improved” model that might better reflect his tastes? Plus, he’s got to make gear for his EVH brand or what’s the use?
I’m sad to hear about no new music until after the middle of next year too. Is VH still contracted with WB?
Hey Ed, what better way to market you guitar than to make a new album featuring it and then touring?
November 12th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I hoped for a left-handed version of the Wolfgang.
Seems to me lefty’s always have to adapt to right-hand
ideals or pay a little extra.
Great to hear he is moving on and getting married, the son
will graduate and the music will flow, patience is a virtue
use it!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I agree, kmross: what’s the big deal? You said it all for me about the new Wolfgang.
Wolfie graduating? Drop out, man! Drop out! Okay. Just kidding. Glad to hear he’s gonna finish what he’s started.
Cynical old me still doesn’t think we’ll hear anything new from VH anytime soon, which includes the next few years. I hope I’m wrong.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Hey…why wait on that boy to graduate. CALL THE REAL VH BASSIST AND PLAY WITH HIM!!! Then he’d really have an audience for his “new” ErnieBal-MusicMan/Peavey/Fender guitar.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
He’s gonna be a good Dad and have his Son finish school before he goes on to work for a living. That’s a good thing. And as for the Axe, I don’t care what he plays as long as he plays it, records it, sells it to me, and then plays it live for me!
November 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I would buy the new guitar definitely. Not the striped one, I never buy his striped products. Thats his. As soon as you stand up with a striped axe, everyone thinks your gonna play vanhalen. Just like I don’t play “eruption”, thats his.
Lets hope next summer a new album comes out, with Dave on it please! And Eddie, practice, practice, practice. If you got lots of stuff, then lets hear it. I got lots of stuff too, but I don’t have a record label and a gazillion dollar studio.
November 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I KNEW IT!!! NO MUSIC!!
IT´S HARD TO BE A VAN HALEN FAN, WITH THE EGOISTIC EDDIE VAN HALEN…
Ok, go marry man!! I´m happy for you!! Really!! But, we (the fans and the band)don´t have to wait for the Wolfie graduation!! C´mon!!…Bring Michael Anthony back e stop this bullshit…do it something new!!!
Open your eyes and look around!!! The time is passing for every one…
What are you waiting for?? If Somebody dies???
Wake up!!
November 12th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
“…I’ll be making music until the day I die…”
Translation: “I’ll be making music that nobody will ever hear until the day I die.” Why Eddie doesn’t want to share anything new with the world (besides porno music) is beyond me.
November 12th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
“I’m not to the point where I’m like Pete Townshend and smashing the shit out of it after a gig. I wouldn’t do that to an instrument that is a part of me.” He probably doesn’t remember doing just that after a gig in Tucson; he was probably too drunk to remember.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I just hope to god this guitar is not anything above $2000, if it is, once again the only people that will buy it are Lawyers who happen to own 1984, or saw them once in concert and see it as a potential investment.
The “Frankenstein” guitar sold for what $25,000, wow that was obscene
Good luck with the product either way, looks nice enough
November 13th, 2008 at 10:52 am
we will all be dead before we get new music from ed.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
“I’ll be making music ’til the day I die. I’ve done all kinds of stuff, and more is coming. I can’t tell you exactly when right now. Wolfgang is in the 12th grade and he needs to graduate first. Then I’m getting married in June. We’ll pick it up after that.”
I’ve been a loyal fan of VH since I was in 2nd grade and received 1984 for a Valentine’s Day present from my mom. I’ve rallied behind them for years and stood up for them during the Sammy years and the atrocious album with Gary. I’ve been virtuously waiting for new music since March 17th, 98 when they put out III. I got excited when they toured with Sam again in 04 only to see him too drunk to play his solo in Columbus. Then I see them twice with Dave and baby VH in 08. Dave sounded like shit. He was grinning like an idiot with a gun to his head. he can’t hit his high notes, barely remembers the lyrics (I saw Ed correct him a dozen times in Cleveland), jumped around pointlessly on a stupid microphone. He was like a bad impersonator of DLR. And the kid was like a lump of shit with zero charisma. I don’t care if he’s Ed’s kid or not. He doesn’t belong on the stage. Not with this band. We need Mike back.
I have a one year old son. I want nothing more than to take him to his first VH concert. My only hope is that a new album and tour come the right way and sooner than later. Fuck. I’ve been waiting (we’ve all been waiting) long enough. Quit FUCKING AROUND EDDIE!
The least they could do is release a box set of old concerts. Tide us over!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
He looks skinny again. Bad sign?
November 13th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Awww, Eddie made a new guitar….
How about some new music Eddie?…
Eddie?…
Are you there pal?…
November 14th, 2008 at 7:28 am
I hate the way he always tries to be coy abouut this stuff.
November 14th, 2008 at 7:32 am
If I could manage VH for one year:
Dec. ‘08: Record a goofy christmas song. hilarious classic dave antics over ed’s noodling. Radio will bring it out every year…
Spring ‘08: Hook up with producer Rick Rubin. That guy helps bands rediscover their essence. No overproduction.
June ‘08: Graduate Wolfgang. Wear a striped cap n gown.
Summer ‘08: Record an album that is 51 minutes, 50 seconds long. Give me simple stuff, a long song or two, no samples. Don’t record it at 5150– rent a studio somewhere, you get 3 weeks tops and $4000 budget like the old days.
Have me do the album cover art, and tour tees (I did a bunch for their 07/08 tour!)
Late Summer ‘08: Bring in Brian Eno to cook up a couple instrumentals with all ed’s noises. Gimme some of the low growls… and a trans trem sequel. Have ed’s hero Peter Gabriel guest on some effects.
Fall ‘08: Tour with a flexible set list, not just saying the show changes every night. Springsteen plays a couple hundred songs on each tour- vh could do it too. AND, try some new arrangements- pared down songs, or sped up, or– who knows..! and Hire a better guy to structure the pace and effects for the tour.
Winter ‘08: Release a blues album (must have ed on ‘red house!’), maybe half studio, half live play. Sneak in a guest appearance from david gilmour and neil young…
Well I can dream, right?
Thanks ed.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I too am curious as to how much this guitar will cost - he definately doesn’t seem to try and cater to the normal income folks - but guitars period have become more and more expensive due to the cost of getting “good lumber”, etc. in this day and age.
In regards to new music, I would rather wait patiently for something decent to be released. Hasn’t anyone noticed that any artist seems to have a “golden age” where they are full of good ideas and create great music and the well just runs dry? Think of the majority of people that couldn’t come up with one memorable tune with lasting appeal and then look at all of the great music Eddie has written over his career. How many great songs has he already given us? How many other artists can you say have come up with that many and not just decent tunes.
I feel priviledged to have seen him on the past tour and also with Sammy when he first came on board and still consider him to be the most influential guitarist of our time and probably the most unique and gifted. If he needs time to come up with some more great tunes - give him the time, don’t settle for some half-assed record which would only make you wish they would have spent more time honing the ideas instead of rushing them out.
More than likely though, anything he comes out with won’t compare to the great tunes we all love and that is simply because no artist can continually put out great tunes forever - again, that well of ideas get used up. I am just impressed with how deep Eddie’s well has been and I still feel that he will come up with a couple more before all is said and done.
More interestingly to me will be if he will evolve into a different mellower direction to go with his age since I don’t see him being able to continue to “rock out” til the day he dies - if he will live to an old age. He’ll have to adapt in my mind and maybe that is the reason why it has been hard for him to come up with new material.
November 14th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Lame. He constantly says he has tons of stuff on tape. How hard would it be to dump some of that out - polish it a bit and release it somewhere like iTunes or for that matter just for free on the VH site for the fans?
If he wanted to - new music would not be that hard…
November 14th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
i,ll be making music till i die? cmon ed you havent given us anything in 10 years.im sick and tired of waiting.
November 14th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
The fugly headstock continues.
November 15th, 2008 at 10:41 am
You know it is quite easy to make this guitar and sound. I’ve done it. I got a blue strat, modified it with double humbuckers and screwed around with a Rivera amp with some simple pedals. Cost….a few hundred.
I got to hand it to Dave, he’s losing his hair a bit, but he keeps in shape, has fun, and does the best he can. Eddie on the other hand needs to sit down like he used to and practice. His chops are sloppy, too much effect and not enough raw energy, and I’m sure he can delve into some new tricks.
November 16th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Am I the only one noticing that There hasn’t been a real EVH interview since 1998 when VHIII came out and he did that one with Guitar World about his bathroom studio and meditation and the kids that befriended him when he was new to this country. Since then, there hasn’t been a real EVH interview. Just crap, canned interviews to sell his bobbles and wares.
November 17th, 2008 at 6:52 am
I like playing my own creations-modifications…..everyone else should do the same and focus on the music…not what gear he`s whoring his name out to
November 17th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
REhash- I like the new headstock. It’s edgier and meaner looking than the Peavey. Kinda like a subtle Dean.
November 18th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
“I’ll be making music ’til the day I die. I’ve done all kinds of stuff, and more is coming. I can’t tell you exactly when right now. Wolfgang is in the 12th grade and he needs to graduate first. Then I’m getting married in June. We’ll pick it up after that.”
Translation to VH fans = no new music, nothing until at least 2010.
I’m not a huge Sammy fan, but I think he’s right…Eddie does’nt give a shit about his fans! This band thinks they can just string the fans along for as long as they want, all the while little do they realise the damage they are doing to their reputation (whats left of it anyway). I don’t even expect to see any live dvd from the last tour anymore. I think its insulting that VH have just had their highest grossing tour ever, and have pretty much ignored the fans ever since, they could at least update their website every now and then! What a joke !!!!
November 22nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
COME ON. ED,ALEX.BRING BACK MIKE.HEY, WE ARE ALL GETING OLDER MAN.
December 3rd, 2008 at 4:43 am
Look,They just stopped touring in June! I would say they’re entitled to time off! Ed’s getting married. The kid needs to graduate. Mike is not in the band anymore. You have to get over it. If you are loyal fan,you know bands go thru personel changes. Bottom line is,Wolfie’s last name is Van Halen. Its Ed’s band!! He can do with it what he likes. If you people can’t deal with that ,you should move on & stop all the whining!