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This is one hell of a cool-looking six-string

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After a quick trawl through our back issues, we calculate this is the 10th Edward Van Halen signature model Guitarist has played. No shame in that, of course, and after starting out with Ernie Ball/Music Man, a successful time with Peavey and now Fender (resulting initially in the amazing Frankenstein Replica), it was only a matter of time before the fledgling EVH brand produced a new Wolfgang.

"The only thing that's the same as the old Wolfgang is the body shape," says Ed. "And even that's changed a little bit: everything else is different."

EVH brand marketing man Nick Bowcott expands further: "The Wolfgang is the result of over two years of pure R&D and a year's worth of road-testing by Eddie himself on one of the most successful tours of the past few years – Van Halen's 2007-2008 US trek."

"A lot of people ask if they can get what I use," Ed continues. "Well, yes you can, and what you get is identical to what I use. We redid everything on this guitar, and that's why it took so long."

Check it out in action in this video:

So, the guitar is made in Corona, California by the team that puts together Jackson's American guitars, rather than the Fender line – something that Ed demanded.

"The Jackson/Charvel USA Custom Shop builders have a deserved reputation of crafting high-performance instruments and that's exactly what the new Wolfgang is." Nick tells us. "The reason Eddie built his own guitars in the first place was the simple fact that, from the get-go, his groundbreaking style demanded a high-performance instrument, one wasn't available, so he decided to make his own."

"There's no doubt whatsoever that this guitar gives any rock player tone taken from God's own top drawer"

At first glance, it's easy to assume that the EVH version is very similar to the last incarnation of Eddie's axe. But as a former Peavey Wolfgang owner, this writer can certainly assure you that the new version is very different indeed.

That said, many of the variations are in the details, which we'll outline in due course: the shape and beautiful neck profile, however, are very familiar. The body comprises a three-piece core of basswood that sports a maple cap and is finished with a 'thin-skin' coating for extra resonance.

Even the control and vibrato cavities remain unpainted so the bare wood is untainted: now that's attention to detail.