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Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
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Playability
72
Sound
72
Build
75
Value
58
Score
73
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Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
63
Value
77
Score
72
FIND IT ON:
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Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS vs EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote

Reasons to Get
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS over EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups
SS vs HH
Beautiful cleans
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Paint Finish
Nitro vs Poly
Thin finish that creates aging marks faster
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote over Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS

Decorative Top
Ziricote vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2022 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups
HH vs SS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Paint Finish
Poly vs Nitro
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Value Score
77 vs 58
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS vs EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele vs Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele vs Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS vs EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote

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
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Compound Radius
7.25" to 9.5" vs 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

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote has the upper hand when it comes to sound, 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 Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS is the better choice.

The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote meets only 4. 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

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
  • 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.

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Overview

  • From Fender Custom's 2019 Vintage Custom series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 7.25" to 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • 2-Piece Select Alder body
  • Rift Sawn Maple neck
  • Round-Laminated Rift Sawn Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 3-Saddle '67 Telecaster with Threaded Steel Saddles bridge
  • '60s Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Medium frets
  • Schaller F tuners
  • Compare Specs >

EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote Overview

  • From EVH's 2022 Wolfgang Standard series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Ziricote top
  • Basswood body
  • 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 Special Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Wolfgang Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • EVH-Branded tuners
  • Weight between 7.3lbs (3.3kgs) and 7.45lbs (3.4kgs)
  • 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 the Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

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.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

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.

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.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS has an SS configuration while the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote has HH pickups.

SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

On the other hand, 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.

However, the Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

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: Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS.

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.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's switch options
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote'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 WG Standard Exotic Ziricote.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
Pickups 100
Sustain 65
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
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 Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS compares to the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS is built in United States while the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote is made in Indonesia.

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.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS

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.

The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote comes with a Locking nut. 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.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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.

The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote's is a 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: EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's are Schaller F while the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote's are EVH-Branded

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
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
  • Made in United States
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
Quality of materials 66
Features 60
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 75
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
Quality of materials 45
Features 75
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 63

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

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Nut Width
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS 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 Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS and EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote'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

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Neck Profile
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's neck profile
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote Neck Profile
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote's 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 Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS and the EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote 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

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Fretboard Compound Radius
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's Compound Fretboard Radius
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote Fretboard Compound Radius
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote'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 .

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS:
Big Hands
Small Hands
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS Frets Size
Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's Frets Size
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote Frets Size
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote's Frets Size

The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS's Medium 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

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS vs EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
General Fender Custom Vintage Custom '68 Telecaster NOS EVH Wolfgang WG Standard Exotic Ziricote
Brand: Fender Custom EVH
Year: 2019 2022
Configuration: SS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States Indonesia
Series: Vintage Custom Wolfgang Standard
Colors: Blue, Pink Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder Basswood
Bridge: 3-Saddle '67 Telecaster with Threaded Steel Saddles EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Special Locking Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Schaller F EVH-Branded
Fretboard: Round-Laminated Rift Sawn Maple Baked Maple
Neck Material: Rift Sawn Maple Baked Maple
Decoration: Micarta Black Dot 7mm Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: '60s Oval C Wolfgang Backshape
Frets: 21 Medium Nickel Silver 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 7.25" to 9.5" 12" to 16"
Nut: Bone Locking
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 41.3mm (1.625'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '67 Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil / Passive) Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1