Managed to finally try this one, which ranked highly on my GAS list. It's a simple guitar spec'd out to my liking; single pickup, maple 'board, single volume, non-gloss body - ace!
Likes
- simple features
- super smooth volume control
- responsive tuners
- substantial brass block
- playability
Dislikes
- tone
- overall finish
- bridge set up
- price
This is a rather hefty guitar despite the simple bridge & single humbucker in the body. The neck is a top draw if you value playability, especially when you embrace a wide music genre; from blues to high octane rock, this neck is it. Also, the flat compound radius would be a hit for those of us who play fast. I'm very happy the tuners are responsive & the nut slots don't choke the strings. Ditto the volume knob, it virtually moves with any finger contact so that might be a good / bad thing for some of us.
Despite being a Van Halen oriented instrument, the tone here is rather underwhelming. I have no idea if this was meant to be as such but I hear a more appealing performance from Seymour Duncan's '78 humbucker which ironically is an intended slant towards Van Halen's tone. The bridge was set to float but I believe it could have been done better as it went out of tune with every bend & any meddling with the tuners; it just doesn't work well. Not faulty but in need of a good set up. I also feel that the overall finish was half-baked. So there was an attempt at relic'ing the looks but in this price range, LTD does it better for the money. Speaking of money, the price is really undeserving for a Mexican instrument but we all understand the EVH factor is largely to blame for this.
Final rating: 70%
Availability: Swee Lee
Price: $2,749
PS: If you wish to get that super smooth volume pot separately, look for the EVH Custom Low Friction pot by Seymour Duncan 😎
Pic: EVH
