software

What kind of PU were used on the Wolfgang guitars?

AFAIK Custom wound Peavey Pickups, but I´m sure someone else knows better


Originally Posted by ZerberusAFAIK Custom wound Peavey Pickups, but I´m sure someone else knows better

Thats it exactly. Peavey winds their own. At least for the higher end guitars. I kind of doubt they do for their import series these days but back in the day they did.

they WERE wound by peavey for MR VANHALEN
they both have a alnico 5 magnet structure and are pretty hot in output
the bridge pup is a 14.5K
and the neck model is at 17Kfunny thing is the 17K neck pup is not as high output even though it has the higher resistance

Is it anything like the EVH SD ( or the 78 )?


Originally Posted by Ralle 500Is it anything like the EVH SD ( or the 78 )?

Nothing like it at all, not even close. The Wolfgang pickups are very high in output, while the custom shop EVH model is a slightly overwound PAF-style pickup with an alnico 2 magnet. Personally, I don't like the Wolfgang pickups very much, although I know some people really love them. They sounded too bright and compressed for my tastes. One thing to keep in mind, if you want to replace them, you will need to do some minor modifications to either the guitar or the new pickup, as Duncan pickups will not fit the pickup routes. The stock pickups have oval-shaped mounting tabs, Duncans have square shaped tabs. So you will need to file down the mounting tabs into an oval shape, and then slightly enlarge the mounting holes so that you can bolt them directly to the body.

Ryan

Thanx for the info, Ryan. The guitar I'm having is a home made strat with a two peace maple neck and a heavy ash body. Mounted in that one is a SD JB pickup. It sounds good, but I think I will some of that raw edge ( you all know I'm talking about the early sound of Van Halen, right? ) that Ed has. Would you say that the custom EVH model would be more like his PU? ( seams like that since it's a overwound PAF style PU, right? )

The EVH would definitely be your best bet for that tone. A cheaper alternative is to get a '59 model and replace the alnico 5 magnet with an alnico 2 or 3 magnet. That will also get you pretty close.

Ryan

Ryan, I hope you can bare with me... ( I'm a novice on this subject ) What's the difference between alnico 2 and 5 soundwise? Is it more power, volum or output the higher the value on the alnico magnet, or just different frequence curves?
Ralle

Anyone?

A2 is a bit softer and rounder on the highs. It is also looser in the bass. Think smoother than an A5 (generally if switched in same pup) Also more spongy. Think early VH tone. That sponge quality comes froman A2

Great. Thanx a lot guys. Custom EVH it is. OK, just one more:
How's the SD JB J compared to the EVH?

Eh! Haven't I allready asked that?

If you're referring to the JB humbucker, it's totally different than the EVH. In general, high output pickups have very different tonal characteristics than low output pickups. The EVH is just slightly hotter than a typical PAF-style pickup.

A2 and A3 magnets will have a smoother, less percussive tone than A5 magnets. Most of the classic Van Halen songs were done using a pickup with an A2 magnet. Listen to quot;Dance the Night Away,quot; which was done with an A2 magnet. Then listen to quot;Hot For Teacherquot; and quot;Eruption,quot; which were done with an A5 magnet pickup. You should be able to hear a very distinct difference.

Ryan

for the early EVH tone try a schaller golden 50 bridge pup!
these are not expensive and NAIL the older VH tone.
scott_F sent me a set of these and they kill, the bridge one is PURE OLDER EVH!