EVH Unveils Relic 2015 Tour Wolfgang Special
EVH unveils the Limited Edition Wolfgang Special Striped Series, inspired by Eddie's 2015 tour axe. Floyd Rose, D-Tuna, and direct-mount humbuckers.
Eddie Van Halen’s personal weapon of choice from his final world tour has finally been given the official production treatment. The new EVH Limited Edition Wolfgang Special Striped Series in Distressed Ivory recreates the iconic “ivory over black” relic axe that the guitar god famously requested at the eleventh hour for the 2015 Different Kind of Truth run.
Packed with player-requested specs and vintage-meets-modern shred hardware, this limited run honors the legendary virtuoso's exact live setup.
The Ultimate Shredder’s Blueprint
True to Eddie’s meticulously evolved preferences, the guitar features a bolt-on quartersawn maple neck with a hand-rubbed satin finish. Sitting slightly on the fuller side of a thin carve, it scales up in thickness toward the body to provide a rock-solid anchor for heavy riffing and high-register leads.
The 12”–16” compound radius ebony fingerboard is optimized for speed, offering a flatter surface for effortless multi-string bends up top while keeping chord work comfortable down low.
Hot-Rodded "Brown Sound" & Hardware Madness
Under the hood, dual direct-mount Wolfgang Alnico humbuckers deliver that unmistakable, hairy '80s midrange bite that cuts cleanly through a mix without falling into the cold, scooped trap of modern metal pickups.
Naturally, no Van Halen signature is complete without serious hardware. This Special features an EVH-branded Floyd Rose R2 locking tremolo system paired with an instant D-Tuna, allowing players to drop from standard to drop-D tuning in a split second without throwing the rest of the floating bridge out of whack.
Pro-Level Control Layout
EVH loaded this model with distinct custom electronics tailored for high-speed performance:
- Low-Friction Volume Pot: A 500K Bourns low-friction potentiometer paired with a treble bleed circuit enables lightning-fast violin swells without high-end frequency loss.
- High-Friction Tone Pot: A stiffer 250K Bourns control prevents accidental bumps while reaching for the volume or Floyd Rose tremolo arm.
- Arcade-Style Killswitch: Borrowed straight from Eddie’s live arsenal, a dedicated killswitch lets players instantly chop the signal for stutter effects and dramatic showmanship.
Finished off with an easy heel-mount truss rod adjustment wheel, oversized strap buttons, and an included gig bag, this distressed beauty hits all the right notes for collectors and hard-rock players alike.
Quick Specs:
- Body Material: Basswood with Distressed Satin Lacquer Finish
- Neck: Quartersawn Maple, Wolfgang Backshape
- Fingerboard: Ebony, 12"-16" Compound Radius, 22 Jumbo Frets
- Scale Length: 25.5"
- Pickups: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbuckers (Bridge & Neck)
- Bridge: EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with D-Tuna
- Electronics: Volume (Low-Friction w/ Treble Bleed), Tone (High-Friction), 3-Way Toggle, Killswitch
- Case: EVH Gig Bag Included
The Verdict
I own a 'Pat Pending' Peavey USA Wolfgang in Ivory, and it has been gigged hard and modded, but it doesn't look anywhere near as worn and battered as this model. It also cost me a lot less than this EVH Gear Mexican-made version.
For fans of Eddie’s final era and players who demand high-octane performance hardware out of the box, this distressed tribute hits every mark. However, prospective buyers should be prepared for a steep investment: as a Mexican-built instrument with a notably high price tag, you are paying a premium for the custom relic aging, signature appointments, and EVH pedigree.
If you can stomach the cost, it’s a fierce, road-ready shredder built to honor a legend.
- +Direct-mount Wolfgang Alnico humbuckers deliver authentic '80s tone
- +Floyd Rose R2 with D-Tuna for instant drop-D tuning without bridge shift
- +12–16" compound radius ebony fingerboard optimized for speed and comfort
- +Custom electronics including low-friction volume with treble bleed and arcade-style killswitch
- +Distressed relic finish honors Eddie's exact 2015 tour guitar
- +Includes gig bag and player-ready setup
- −Steep price tag for a Mexican-built instrument
- −Premium cost driven by custom relic aging and EVH branding
What pickups does the EVH Wolfgang Special Striped Series have?
The guitar features direct-mount EVH Wolfgang Alnico humbuckers in both the bridge and neck positions, designed to deliver the unmistakable '80s midrange bite characteristic of Eddie Van Halen's tone without the scooped sound of modern metal pickups.
Does the Wolfgang Special include a Floyd Rose tremolo?
Yes, it features an EVH-branded Floyd Rose R2 locking tremolo system paired with an instant D-Tuna, allowing players to drop from standard to drop-D tuning without affecting the floating bridge's stability.
What is the fingerboard radius on this guitar?
The ebony fingerboard has a 12–16 inch compound radius, optimized for speed with a flatter surface for multi-string bends and lead work while keeping chord work comfortable down the neck.
Keep browsing
Get this stuff first.
Leaks, deals and reviews in your inbox, once a week. No spam, just gear.