EVH Wolfgang USA Custom User Manual
Evh® wolfgang® guitar owner’s manual
Wolfgang USA Custom
While most people are familiar with me playing a
Frankenstein™ or Wolfgang®
guitar, not every guitar I play is made out of basswood and has a locking
tremolo. On many of the songs I've recorded in my career, I’ve used guitars
made from mahogany and maple with a rosewood or ebony fingerboard. I built
the
Wolfgang® Custom for myself and to share with players that prefer a guitar
made with these materials along with the tone that it produces. As with all
EVH®
Brand products no expense or effort was spared in developing the guitar you
hold in your hands. I’m loving on mine and I hope you enjoy yours just as much!
Thanks again!
EVH® Wolfgang® GUITAR OWNER’S MANUAL
CONTROLS
1. VOLUME CONTROL: These knobs are the volume controls. The knob closest to the edge of the
body towards the neck is the
Bridge Pickup Volume knob. The one above it closest to the neck is the
Neck Pickup Volume knob. When the pickup selector is in the middle position, either volume knob will
act as a master volume.
2. TONE CONTROL: These knobs act as a high-frequency roll-off. With the knob turned fully clockwise,
all frequencies are present. When the knob is turned counterclockwise, the higher frequencies are rolled
off, giving a more muted tone. The tone knob for the Bridge Pickup is directly behind the Bridge Pickup
Volume knob. The tone knob for the Neck Pickup is directly behind the Bridge Pickup Volume knob.
NOTE: The EVH® branded signature volume pot used in the Wolfgang® is low-friction and of the
highest quality available to ensure smooth taper, speed, reliability and longevity.
3. PICKUP SELECTOR SWITCH/TOGGLE SWITCH:
UP: Neck (rythym pickup)
DOWN: Bridge (lead pickup)
MIDDLE: Both pickups
BRIDGE
The
EVH
®
Wolfgang Custom
®
uses a traditional “tune-a-matic” bridge combined with a modern
tailpiece featuring Fine Tuners. This allows for accurate tuning adjustments “on the fly” without
removing your hand from the neck.
NOTE: For more information, technical tips and help, visit www.evhgear.com/support/.
SET UP
This is the one step that will determine the feel or “action” of your guitar. A few things should be taken
into consideration before setting the intonation. What type, brand and gauge strings are you going to
use? How high do you want the strings from the fingerboard? These will need to be determined before
you start.
1. Strings: Any variation will alter the overall action and intonation, so be sure to settle on and
consistently use a particular gauge and brand of string. FYI, your Wolfgang® Custom comes set up
with
EVH® brand strings gauged (high to low) .009, .011, .016, .024, .032 and .042.
2. String Height: The string height can be adjusted by raising or lowering the “tune-a-matic” bridge.
This can be done by simply turning the knurled wheels on the post with your fingers – often, this will be
difficult under string tension so using a flat head screw driver on the top of the post is a better option.
Adjust it too high and you lose tone and intonation; too low and the frets will buzz and the pickups will
rattle—not too cool.
Need help? Check out our Tech Tips at www.evhgear.com/support/
FACTORY SPECS
The following are EVH® factory string-height settings. The specs are measured by the distance
between the bottom of the string and the top of the 12th fret. Please note that any problems that may
arise from lowering the string action below our factory specifications will not be covered by the
EVH®
warranty.
TREBLE SIDE
BASS SIDE
1.5mm
1.5mm
The EVH® Wolfgang® Custom/CustomSpecial guitar comes with the following string gauges:
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th 6th
.009 .011
.016
.024
.032 0.42
PICKUP ADJUSTMENT
The custom-voiced, custom-wound EVH® humbucking pickups in your
Wolfgang® can be adjusted up
or down by turning the height adjustment screws on the pickup rings. Turning the screws clockwise will
raise the pickups and counter-clockwise will lower them.
NECK ADJUSTMENT
This adjustment comes before any others and must be done for proper action, intonation and fretting.
This is done with strings tuned to pitch. Fret the instrument at the 1st fret and at the body/neck joint.
The space between the top of the 8th fret and bottom of the string should not exceed .010 mm. The
Wolfgang® has a compound radius so the neck can be set dead flat with very low action and no
buzzing. Neck adjustments should be done in 1/4-turn increments.
INTONATION
Be sure that all of the aforementioned adjustments have been done before setting the intonation. The
object is to adjust the string length to ensure accurate intonation. This is achieved by ringing the
harmonic at the 12th fret and matching it to the fundamental, fretted note at the 12th. This should be
done with an electronic tuner to get an accurate reading. If the note is sharp, move the saddle back. If
the note is flat, move the saddle forward. Remember the simple rule: flat forward, sharp back. For
more information please visit www.evhgear.com/support/.
GENERAL CARE
These are a few guidelines to keep your new
EVH® Wolfgang® Guitar in top form. While frequency
of cleaning the guitar is personal decision, the body, neck and headstock can be wiped with a light,
guitar cleaning solution and a clean, soft cloth after every use, if you so desire. Do not apply guitar
polishes directly on the hardware, as this will cause unwanted residues to build up on the surfaces
that will in turn, need to be cleaned as well.
The frequency of cleaning the fretboard is a matter of personal preference. Do not use anything to
clean the fretboard other than a light, guitar cleaning solution and a clean, soft cotton cloth. If you opt
for cleaning the fretboard at a moderate to high rate of frequency, Oiling the neck twice a year is
recommended to prevent the fingerboard from shrinking and cracking, causing the frets to rise and
become unlevel and unplayable. Applying a minimal amount of furniture paste wax after oiling will help
maintain the original factory feel of the neck. There are many great oils made just for fingerboards, so
ask your local dealer for more information. Furniture paste wax is available at most hardware stores.
EVH® Brand also recommends keeping your guitar in its case when not in use. This minimizes the
chances of your guitar becoming negatively affected by environmental hazards.
The hardware can be cleaned with a dry rag. If you have acidic perspiration or perspire excessively,
please keep the hardware well oiled, or it will rust and corrode. Several guitar cleaning and mainte-
nance tips are found online at www.evhgear.com/support/
The
EVH® Wolfgang® Guitar you’ve chosen is a fine musical instrument and, like any high-quality
product, care and regular maintenance should be a priority to help your instrument last a lifetime; also,
be sure to read the care suggestions listed below. Thank you for choosing EVH®—we appreciate the
opportunity to serve you. Please take a moment to fill out the enclosed owner registration card and
return it to us so that we can better serve your needs. For further help, visit
www.evhgear.com/support/. Thanks!
For your own records, in case of loss, theft, etc., please fill in the following information and store it in a
safe place.
MODEL:__________________________________________________________________________
COLOR:__________________________________________________________________________
SERIAL NUMBER:_________________________________________________________________
DEALER:________________________________________________________________________
PURCHASE DATE:________________________________________________________________
CARE SUGGESTIONS
• NEVER store your guitar/bass in a hot car trunk! Heat will severely damage your instrument.
• Always clean your strings after every use.
• Change strings at least every 20 playing hours.
• Wipe down the guitar with a clean, soft cloth after every use to keep funk from building up.
• Clean fingerboard every time you change strings and oil it at least twice a year.
• Do not over-tighten any of the screws on the instrument. Snug is usually best.
• For air travel, be sure to detune strings one whole step. Have an agent check your guitar before
locking the case and tape the case shut to prevent tampering.
• Instrument adjustments may necessary in varying climates, altitudes and humidity levels.