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EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
VS
Playability
70
Sound
80
Build
85
Value
63
Score
78
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Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
68
Value
74
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature vs Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature over Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Mexico
Built with higher quality standards
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Type of Frets
Vintage vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Killswitch vs None
Cuts out the pickups instantly
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard over Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature

Release Year
2021 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Vintage
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Value Score
74 vs 63
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature vs Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard

Neck Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang AL3 Humbucking vs Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature vs Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard

Bridge Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking
Same Bridge Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood
Same Body Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.88'' (22.4mm)
Same neck comfortability
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Big Leaf Maple vs Quilt Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Compound Radius
12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • Retainer Bar
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard's 74 score, although not by a lot.

The EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard is the better choice.

The EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Overview

  • From EVH's 2017 Wolfgang USA series
  • Eddie Van Halen Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Big Leaf Maple top
  • Basswood body
  • Quartersawn Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang AL3 Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna bridge
  • Wolfgang Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Vintage Stainless Steel frets
  • EVH-Branded Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >

EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard Overview

  • From EVH's 2021 Wolfgang Special series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Basswood body
  • Quartersawn Baked Maple neck
  • Baked Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna bridge
  • Wolfgang Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • EVH-Branded Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature comes with some kind of pickup modification: Killswitch.

A Killswitch lets you disengage the pickups instantly. It can be useful when playing live, and it allows you to create some cool sound effects by using the switch rapidly.

They both share the following switching options:

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature and EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature and EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature.

Final Sound Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
Pickups 90
Sustain 70
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 80
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 80

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature compares to the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature is built in United States while the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard is made in Mexico.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Both models come with a retainer bar, which is helpful when changing the strings on a double-locking tremolo. Without it, the strings would change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'd have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with EVH-Branded Gotoh.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Killswitch Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
Quality of materials 75
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 85
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
Quality of materials 55
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 68

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature has the wider nut with 41.9mm (1.65'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 0.6mm (0.025'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature and EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature and the EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Fretboard Compound Radius
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature:
Big Hands
Small Hands
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Frets Size
EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature's Frets Size
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard Frets Size
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard's Frets Size

The EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature's Vintage frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70
EVH Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature vs Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
General EVH Wolfgang USA Edward Van Halen Signature Wolfgang Special QM Baked Maple Fingerboard
Brand: EVH EVH
Year: 2017 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States Mexico
Series: Wolfgang USA Wolfgang Special
Colors: White Black Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Basswood
Bridge: EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: EVH-Branded Gotoh EVH-Branded Gotoh
Fretboard: Ebony Baked Maple
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple Quartersawn Baked Maple
Decoration: Pearloid Block Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Wolfgang Backshape Wolfgang Backshape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm)
Frets: 22 Vintage Stainless Steel 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang AL3 Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Killswitch None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1