For guitarists chasing the ultimate blend of high-octane performance and legendary rock-and-roll heritage, the wait is over. Engineered for speed, comfort, and a full-throttle attitude, the newly reimagined EVH 5150 Series has arrived on the scene. Striking a perfect balance between throwback aesthetics and modernised playability, this iconic blast from the past is designed to meet the demands of today’s most aggressive players.
Built for Speed and Comfort
Staying true to its predecessor’s legacy, the new 5150 DX boasts a modified Strat-style basswood body, featuring a deeper upper body curve that provides unparalleled comfort during extended playing sessions.
The neck is where the magic truly happens. Crafted to Eddie Van Halen’s precise specifications, the graphite-reinforced, bolt-on quartersawn baked maple neck features a modified “C” profile.
A hand-rubbed satin urethane back finish ensures your hand glides effortlessly up and down the fretboard. Topped with a 12″-16″ compound radius baked maple fingerboard, 22 jumbo frets, and a classic “hockey stick” headstock with the EVH logo decal, this instrument is built for smooth, lightning-fast playability.
A convenient heel-mount truss rod adjustment spoke wheel ensures neck tweaks are quick and hassle-free.
Upgraded Electronics: The Power of Two
While the famed original striped 5150 was known for its single humbucking bridge pickup, the all-new 5150 Series Deluxe upgrades the arsenal to an HH pickup configuration.
Armed with direct-mount custom-designed EVH Wolfgang Alnico 2 humbucking pickups, this guitar covers immense tonal ground. The bridge pickup delivers punchy, articulate highs and thick, chunky rhythms with a perfectly balanced EQ curve. Meanwhile, the neck pickup delivers balls-to-the-wall overdrive and endless sustain, while remaining crystal clear when the volume is rolled back.
Players will also appreciate the thoughtful control layout. The 500K EVH Bourns Low Friction volume pot (equipped with a treble bleed circuit) allows for the smoothest volume swells, while the 250K EVH Bourns High Friction tone pot stays exactly where you set it, even if accidentally bumped.
Adding to the sonic playground is a lower bout kill switch, perfect for recreating the iconic rhythmic stutter effects heard on tracks like “You Really Got Me.”
Dive-Bomb Certified Hardware
It wouldn’t be an EVH guitar without a formidable tremolo system. Decked out with a top-mount EVH-branded Floyd Rose bridge and an R3 locking nut, the 5150 DX is “dive-bomb” certified. The locking tailpiece also features fine tuners for each string alongside the patented EVH D-Tuna, allowing players to drop to Drop-D tuning and back to standard in an instant.
DX vs. DX QM: Choose Your Weapon
The 5150 Series Deluxe is available in two striking visual configurations. Players who prefer classic, stage-ready looks can opt for the Standard DX, which features solid finishes. For those seeking a touch of boutique elegance, the DX QM variant adds a stunning quilted maple top to the basswood body, ensuring the guitar looks just as spectacular as it sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the difference between the EVH 5150 Series DX and the DX QM?
A: The primary difference lies in the body’s top wood and finish. The standard DX features classic solid finishes, while the DX QM variant is upgraded with a beautiful quilted maple top.
Q: What pickups are featured in the 5150 Series Deluxe?
A: The guitar features an HH configuration with direct-mount, custom-designed EVH Wolfgang Alnico 2 humbucking pickups in both the bridge and neck positions, controlled by a three-way toggle switch.
Q: Can I easily switch to Drop-D tuning on this guitar?
A: Yes! The EVH-branded top-mount Floyd Rose bridge is equipped with a patented EVH D-Tuna, which allows you to switch back and forth from standard tuning to Drop-D instantly without having to unlock the nut.
Q: What is the purpose of the lower bout kill switch?
A: The kill switch temporarily mutes the guitar’s signal when pressed. This allows players to easily create rhythmic, stuttering effects made famous by Eddie Van Halen.
Q: What kind of volume and tone pots are used?
A: The guitar utilizes a 500K EVH Bourns Low Friction Pot for the volume (allowing for incredibly smooth volume swells) and a 250K EVH Bourns High Friction Pot for the tone control (preventing accidental adjustments while playing aggressively).
Verdict
The reimagined EVH 5150 Series Deluxe is much more than a nostalgia trip; it is a meticulously designed, high-performance machine tailored for the modern shredder.
By taking the iconic framework of Eddie Van Halen’s original masterpiece and injecting it with modern features like the HH Wolfgang pickup configuration, a specialized kill switch, and an incredibly fast baked maple neck, EVH Gear has created a modern classic.
Price & Availability
Available at Andertons – Black and Candy Apple Red Metallic £1099 each, or Limeade Zest and Pacific Drift £1249 each
Available at Sweetwater – Black and Candy Apple Red Metallic $1399.99, or Limeade Zest and Pacific Drift $1499.99 each
Available at Thomann – Black and Candy Apple Red Metallic €1169, or Limeade Zest and Pacific Drift €1299 each
More Information
#EVH Gear #5150 Series Deluxe
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