EVH Striped Series vs 2020 EVH "Frankie"

Who wins?? (Frankie)
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[@electricgypsyblues4761]

Thanks Steve there is never too much EVH anything

[@evil6564]

I can't believe nobody's talking about how beefy house of pain sounded on the frankie. That guitar has balls.

[@aaaargl]

A EVH-salesman said, that the singlecoil and the switch are functional if you wanted to wire them correctly. Those are Fender-parts

[@mikej6565]

I love my Frankie! Got it a few months ago. Now that Eddie's passed, I've reignited the spark to listen to and play Van Halen every single day!

[@heyjarrod]

Totally! That’s exactly how I have been describing it. Ed’s passing sparked something in me to start playing again-just like he did when I got my first guitar, a Kramer, in 1984. So I am playing more than I have in almost 2 decades. I even started writing songs, and built a little home studio. My first goal was to learn eruption, note for note, and up to speed. I don’t think I ever really completely realized how fast he played that. Trying to get it right, and under one 1:44 seconds is quite a challenge. It was a strange twist of fate that this all happened during a pandemic, when I had a lot of extra time to dive back in to Eddie, and Van Halen. Fortunately, I live close to the guys. So I periodically drive by Al and Ed’s childhood home, and Dave’s huge mansion. I actually just drove right by Dave’s old high school here in near Pasadena. Feels good to be close. Still hard to believe! 🎸

[@giancarlom.]

Hello, how is the neck profile of the Frankie? Is it like a Fender modern C-shape? I'm hoping it'll be "Ibanez-thin" or the Super Wizard thin, but am not that hopeful.

[@mikej6565]

@@giancarlom. It's thin. Out of all of my guitars, I think it feels most like my "Ultra Strat" neck but with a flatter fretboard.

[@timdoog42]

The original Bumble Bee is buried with Dimebag Daryl. He wanted Eddie to build him a guitar nd was murdered before Eddie could build it. So Eddie said Dimebag was an original that deserved an original and pulled the bumblebee out of his collection and it went in Daryls casket.

[@cockers6682]

What a waste of a guitar

[@timdoog42]

@@cockers6682 I know right?

[@darthrevan6054]

@@cockers6682 you wouldn’t say that if it was your casket.

[@cockers6682]

@@darthrevan6054 of course I wouldn’t I would be fucking dead

[@balj33t92]

@@cockers6682😭😭😭😭

[@dorfsteen]

Frankie's missing his quarter

[@deriklong8398]

Noticed For $1699 C'mon!!

[@me-bk9er]

and reflectors..

[@kimblers]

Good catch.

[@paulr.4968]

Nice catch.

[@jdaykin73]

The red one is just so cool. Like you're actually playing his guitar. Amazing how they got it so close to the original. Must be really cool for you to play considering how big of a fan you are. Hope you're doing ok now. Was sad to see you cry but just shows how much a musician can mean to someone.

[@Sodacake]

Even if you're reviewing something everyone has already reviewed, you always add something new just by covering it. We don't come here just for the gear we come here to hear your thoughts and listen to the playing.

[@Ken-yg4um]

I get how everyone gets all technical and shares there experience with the gear geeks community and all. When I was growing up learning guitar we all just got together and jammed trading pickups and taking apart old guitars and making new ones that's the generation X of musicians I wish we had internet and KZbin back then ....😎 would of been something else.

[@finlandia4]

Thanks Steve for these VH videos you have done. Have been listening to them all week & I am always amazed not only at EVH playing of course, but really what gets me is how great the songs and parts were. All that music started to get written when Eddie & Dave were in early 20s

[@Photojouralist123]

I got my Franky October 6th ! Got a call from my guitar 🎸 shop informing me that my Franky arrived. The same day Eddie died! How weird is that. I pre ordered my Franky 3 months back

[@C.Brown5150]

He wanted you to have one... That's all I can say about that. Very cool , but yet so F"*king sad at the same time.. I felt sick as crap Oct 6 ,2020.... Just when you though it couldn't get any worse out here, and there it was.. Sad , sad day.. But on a happy 🎵🎶, You've got a piece of history my friend. 👍 Take care of her, and yourself.. Stay safe out there.🇺🇸

[@rocktorrocks]

Earliest I’ve been to a SFB post. So glad you posted a comparison, I was seriously looking at the black/white striped series but didn’t know how it compares to the others. May wait and go for the Frankie.

[@longotown]

Great Job Boston Steve! your tone and playing also help to do the video great justice. I have a Frankie on order, just snagged the shark. Thanks for doing this for us.

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

Dam I need one of these guitars now. God speed Ed. Thank you for changing my entire life.

[@SakoSohn]

Godspeed? That’s how you wish someone well/recover. The dude is dead.

[@irreversablecontentment4651]

I own one and I hate it

[@southernpride2003]

​@@irreversablecontentment4651 then why would you buy something you would end up hating

[@sasquatch6237]

Holy shit I haven’t stumbled across your channel since the (“pixy licks” ?) days! Glad to see you’re still making content!

[@philfrank5601]

I played one of these in a shop near end of September. I'm sure I won't see another for a long time. Great guitar. I can't afford it, but a great guitar. May he rest in peace.

[@vstags]

Awesome Brophy! Mine's on the way from The Music Zoo. I'd love to have it now but I can wait a bit to get my constant EVH reminder

[@ChuckChrome]

Agreed. I like the sound of the Frankie better as well but I tend to like darker voiced guitars. Enjoy. That thing is beyond cool.

[@petebrown3715]

Thanks Steve🤘. Great video and never enough EVH at all. Already pre-ordered my "Frankie".

[@whiskey_6961]

Great review on all guitars......thank you for not playing nothing but Eddie licks. One of the better reviews I've come across....it was nice to hear different riffs and hear the differences in each one....good job!!

[@modscientist9793]

Great review Steve, as always! Hey, btw, the neck pickup and the 5way are fully functional and can be hooked up, per Fender.

[@FrankSpeer66]

That Franky fingerboard is just too damn dark! I'm still going to buy one though.👍😀

[@matthewcasebolt1902]

Make your own, way cheaper!!

[@MrCshmn]

They don’t actually look that dark 9n other ones I’ve seen.

[@lightningboltbob8720]

Thanks for the great reviews on each guitar ,I love all three guitars and just purchased the black and white one and it should arrive just in time for Christmas……..I can’t wait. 😎🙈

[@Wildman9]

Hi Steve , I'm with you on this ,the Frankie is more of the vibe than the Striped series. And the one mostly wanted by me ,you and a million guitar players.Great stuff.🎸✌👍

[@jeffshaw3126]

One of the most underrated channels... Why do you not have more subs?

[@KoolKatDave]

Great review, Steve. It's all fine shades of better. The EVH brand is awesome and will never let you down as a player! I've been playing EVH gear since the original Peavey 5150 amps and Wolfgang guitars.

[@seanp777]

Great info, great review! Biggest thing with Floyd’s, is the setup. A properly set up Floyd will rock solid until string breaks or string change, then you need to stretch Em a bit. I love them!

[@Varchave]

What is the best amp for this EVH ? Any ideas ?

[@cirkusrockband-denver7411]

Great video Steve! I also got one recently and also have the striped series and I agree 100% with you. The Frankie sounds warmer and compared to the Striped White one. I also love it my Frankie. One thing that I did with both guitar actually, was to route a pickup cavity on the White one and enlarge the cavity on the neck on the Frankie one. I know a lotta people will say this is a sacrilegious specially with Eddie's passing and all that, but my guitars have to satisfy me in the first place ;) I just felt that both guitars lack versatility by not having a neck pickup. On the neck I installed the USA Wolfgang neck pickup version and on the bridge, I actually installed a Seymour Duncan CC (SH-11) on both and let me tell you. They both sound AMAZING ;) Anyway, just wanted to share my craziness ;)

[@sontinos528]

great review! Very relaxing to watch.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Great review man! Wifey got me one for Christmas 2022!!!

[@ohplezz]

Great video. I've got my frankie relic waiting at home right now. FedEx dropped it off a few hours ago. I can't wait to play it!!

[@jahjah67]

Always enjoy your videos, Steve, but I think it’s important to note Bumblebee was NOT used on VH II. It only arrived the day of the photo sessions for the record. Frankenstein was used for most if not all guitar tracks on II. Nice job as always

[@raymondlugo9960]

Yes And Ed didn't like the way the black and yellow sounded. He changed necks and added a tone knob in the back cavity area but was never satisfied with it's sound.

[@deriklong8398]

@@raymondlugo9960 and buried it with Dimebag Darrell....

[@allendean9807]

…and the Ibanez. He used it a lot on VH2.

[@jontiffinphoto]

I’m listening thru my system, sound is amazing!

[@robertbain8767]

awesome stuff steve, I hope you get a shot to play the striped series 5150 and tell us what you think. I love the look of the old Kramer style. Thank you for the content.

[@stevepartain864]

I just got mine yesterday and it was perfect, the workman ship was awesome. What I did since I only dive bomb and not pull up I made a 1" X 2" X 1/16" flat piece of steel and installed it with 2 small screws. I shimmed it with guitar picks till the bridge was level and bumped the block with it and screwed it down, it makes it for me easier to tune it. I have master built strats but this relic Frankie is so fun to play, its fast that neck on mine has a nice natural oil and not to dark. Anyway if someone is thinking of getting 1 dont wait till they double in price, they are worth the $1,899.00 is what they go for now. Rock on.

[@rolandgonzales5260]

Thanks for the review. I have the B&W and Frankie back-ordered and hope they show up soon. I also hope that the neck on the Frankie's neck doesn't have that dark stained oiled finish like the one Steve demo'd. I hear a lot of people complain that they are stained way too dark and I agree. If so, going to have to do some sanding. Sounds good Steve.

[@hepcow1379]

I just got mine yesterday from being back ordered from early October...they seem to of gone a little lighter on the necks, but still has a aged look to it. I’ve seen some that look too light , almost no stain. Mine was made this year , so they might of adjusted the dark stain for the newest ones. I was concerned too but I’m really happy the way the neck come out. It’s a great guitar. Really feels like a little peace of Eddie is in the house...Cheers.

[@unitedforcefitness6571]

Thanks for the great review!

[@JoeCSIS]

Thanks for the review! You just confirmed my strong suspicion that the Frankie is the better of the three. I ordered one a week ago. I was quoted December delivery. Fingers crossed!🤞

[@chingasofarkaso]

For an imported, mass produced guitar. That EVH Frankie Relic is truly extraordinary. I would never buy one but damn....it's extremely impressive. The amount of detail that has gone into it. Just excellent.

[@AndyK.23]

Awesome! To me, the B&W is the most accurate EVH repro. Perfect graphics, black pickguard - looks damned close to the original "Frankie". Ed also said he wished he didn't paint it red and white later on.

[@zedddddful]

Good he did though because that's the instantly recognisable one.

[@roryt9751]

Of all the reviews I’ve seen your tone and playing definitely sounds the most ‘Van Halen’ I’ve heard! I’m going for the black and white striped one myself! All the best from England. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Black & yellow is still my fav. Such a no-nonsense setup with balls. I wish I was a good guitar player to justify owning more than 1. Great review mate. Respect from Australia.

[@bryonkidder6199]

Watch a KZbin clip of Rick James on Soul Train from the early '80's... You'll see Tommy McDermott playing the black & yellow guitar but it has a different pick up, rosewood fingerboard, and a painted headstock. It just about blew my mind...lol

[@giancarlopaolini7529]

Nobody talks about the tone ....I guess this is one of the best I've heard so far ....are you still on Overloud as you mentioned a few years back ? I'm on other platforms so your hint on how to get there would really be great ...in total honesty in this vid I preferred the Black and White sound 🙂

[@JackHobgood07]

Great video Steve

[@leetattoo1976]

I'm getting a Bumblebee tomorrow and then a Frankie.....when they aren't sold out everywhere lol.

[@jameshartwell4345]

I can not believe how the prices keep skyrocketing on these!!!

[@toddprater14]

Yeah it’s a joke these 3 striped series was 799 for white or bumblebee and 100 more for the Frankie stripe job back then 899….then they jumped to 899\999 and now they are 1099!! The 5150 went from 1399 to 1699 and the 2020 Frankie relic started out at 1699 and now is 1900!! Shoulda bought one along time ago…

[@looking_33]

@@toddprater14 you can buy a dhgate chinese one for 250. i did. they do a great job relic and hand striping. hardware got replaced though.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Great review and I can hear the difference. Matt Brown said the switch and neck pickup are real, not fake. They will function if you wire them up.

[@johncooper6265]

Hi Steve...it's Cameron Cooper's Dad...love your channel.. I think it's not quite right to highlight the differences on these as if they could be different pickups etc...I have owned the vh1 and circles plus of course, heard the new Frankie being blasted into oblivion by Cameron... the vh1 and circles were supposed to be identical and sound hugely different... it's all down to wood and not voodoo on this occasion...the vh1 was really heavy and the circles light as a feather ... clearly wood changes tone a lot on these fab geetars...

[@nicholasmolinaro1550]

Your son should be proud, he’s such a great influence of mine.

[@mwworkman]

Great video. Thank you for making it and sharing it. Does the locking nut for the Floyd mount from the front or does it have the 2 screws come in from the back. Looks like a front mount nut from when you flipped it over.. The neck is roasted, so it was hard to tell, ha ha. Thanks again.

[@jimjim7008]

The yellow and black sounded best to my ears - more full sounding.

[@joserios3351]

Love the video. Hopefully someday will get a Frankie for my collection but just wondering about the sound. Can you explain what amp, pedals, settings you are using to get that unique EVH sound….Thanks.

[@darthvaydr]

I love that Frankie. The most iconic guitar ever. I placed my order for one through Sweetwater and they are talking early summer before I get mine 😩😩

[@brianwillaman1776]

Great video!

[@heyjarrod]

Exactly like you said! The EVH I played felt great-just like my old Kramer I got in 1984. Comfortable, like an old pair of shoes!!! I had no idea it would feel like that. Definitely worth a couple grand. 🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸

[@sburton223]

Good comparison Steve....have a nice monday....oh and I agree the Frankie sounds a little better

[@sunnibird]

Wiring for neck pickup is there. It's under the pickup selector in the middle. You can wire it up if you like.

[@HalfFastReviews]

great demo. Thanks

[@pashon4percushon]

Nice review I'm waiting for a LH Wolfgang Standard. Saw some on ebay a few years ago.

[@kyuss]

Love the vid. Your tone is awesome. What amp or software are you using?

[@stevedgolfer]

Steve how many guitars have you? Have you a gibson explorer? I'm thinking about buying one 😎

[@satchbooggy]

damni lucked out and got a frankie a few weeks ago. definitely the best offering of the striped series yet. that worn neck is amazing.

[@Tnevels]

Hey Steve can you tell us what your signal chain is for this vid? Sounds great!

[@heyjarrod]

I was wondering that too. It’s got to be a modeling amp, or maybe a multi effects unit. Not the greatest tone. But does sound similar to what I’m getting through my new boss multi-effects unit. Makes me think, as I’ve been doing already, to keep trying to dial in a more natural ‘brown’ sound. I’d rather I didn’t have that slight digital sound. Which sounds like what he is getting here. But it’s been fun chasing tone with this Boss GT-1, I got it a couple months ago. And nice to go from old Van Halen, to some Stevie, to some Pantera, Ozzy, with just a quick stomp. So I’ll keep trying this out for a while, before maybe going back and just finishing up my old pedalboard. That’s just such a can of worms, ha ha. 🤘🏻🎸

[@starwars095]

Hey Steve: Great comparison video. Just wondering if you’ve ever tried Peavey’s new version of the Wolfgang guitar? Thanks... 🎸😎🐝

[@misslillysdaddy]

Dude ! That tone ! 👏

[@Dakahrii]

The pickup is actually functional but its not hooked up. You can hook up the neck if you want to. The black and white wires are attached to the pickup. I've seen people put push-pull knob for the volume knob.

[@nativeeats8719]

Steve from Boston you are freaking a beast on that there guitar!

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

As you said, the black&white sounds brighter than the bumblebee. The Franky is awesome

[@johnvalderrama9339]

Thanks for inspiring me to play Eddie...RIP BRO

[@kamaboko1]

Great video. That said, I've never understood the allure of these guitars (e.g., copies of famous player guitars). I'm reminded of an interview with Wolfgang where he said Eddie told him, "Don't copy me. Create your own sound". That's where my mind has been with guitars/amps. I don't want someone else's sound. I want my own. Eddie, Page, Lifeson, Vai, Angus...they're all greats because they created their own sound. But I get it. This is a review/comparison of three guitars.

[@ApolloSol]

you can make the guitar sound like anything you want. Its just an iconic look.

[@garnetbezanson1404]

I'd love to get my hands on a wolfgang or one of these, too bad I live in the sticks and the canadian dollar sucks. Right now to get the V.H sound I use my strat with a dimarzio super distortion in the bridge running into Bias fx

[@scottrussell7423]

Sounds great! Steve, what are you playing through?

[@cmikesmith664]

Beautiful guitars, my friend.

[@garyblohm838]

Got mine from Sweetwater and I love it !!

[@Smart-Alex]

Hi Steve, how did you like the pickups? Or would you recommend upgrading?

[@kitoyobeni1]

What about a Wolfgang Special vs the striped series guitars? Where does that fit into the mix for you?

[@thronko]

Thank you so much for this video! I've been considering the frankie for a while, but after comparing its specs to the striped series. I thought, would I just be paying less for virtually the same guitar if I bought the striped series? Now my question has an answer!

[@scottdalrymple1716]

Kind of like Frank Spear said about the fretboard, I wish they would have made it a lighter shade. I still want one and I have already seen a video on how to lighten up the neck finish.

[@zaynebonshire3900]

I think in my opinion, EVH “Frankie” is arguably the most iconic guitar ever! Maybe or maybe not? Oh well

[@C.Brown5150]

@Deatrox You're not wrong, all great Ax's no doubt about it. It's just something about the Frankenstrat, it has a different kind of character . And it's one that stands out more than most.. But you made a good call on the others, cool Ax's , cool Guy's..👍

[@jeromea1659]

Yes...And No. Since those tiny Action Figure size Axe Heaven has quite a few to get. ZZ TOP Has so many wacky ones too🤘😎🤘

[@benallmark9671]

@Deatrox when you mentioned Hendrix’s strat , do you have his Olympic white from Woodstock in mind or his more frequently used black one ? Very curious to hear your or anybody else’s answer.

[@robtech341]

All good. SRV's strat...........'nuff said.

[@superf7]

David Gilmour’s Black strat belongs in there.

[@Maxreverse]

Steve thanks for the review. The oiled neck makes a big difference.

[@leokimvideo]

More KITTENS. Just think Pixxy, a kittens and rock guitar channel...that has to be a winner

[@lra6494]

how does the back of the neck feel? mine feels a little rough, I probably need to sand it down.

[@danielerickson816]

How would the neck compare with an 80's Charvel Model 6? Im assuming you may have played one somewhere along the line?

[@amrinpine]

That was an amazing intro

[@andrefrazao9245]

Agreed with ya steve when it comes to tone preference. The frankie definitely sounds better, but there's just something on the Bumble that I can't resist, maybe it's the (personal opinion) color scheme that attracts me

[@stuartmiller7419]

...like a bumble bee to a flower! ;-)

[@JohnnyRoggio]

Just got my Frankie & completely agree. Neck is thicker than my Bumble Bee for sure. Tone definitely fatter as well & just sounds so different that my Evh Bumble Bee. Had a Circles, Had a Red black & White, but kept my BumbleBee & the Frankie is the biggest sounding of the bunch. It has A fatter tone, fatter neck & just resonates like a totally different guitar. The Frankie Neck also does not feel similar to my Charvel San Dimas, the othe Evh’s kinda do. It also cleans up so well with the volume pot I thought it might of had a Treble bleed circuit in there. It’s a keeper for sure. & I’ll be suing it for some Completely Unchained shows this year. Keep the great content coming. Great comparison. 👍

[@gtrkev2]

Frankie. Different neck, breathable finish on entire guitar body, 2 giant holes routed out for pickups (changes the tone), different mounting of the pickup. Costs almost double. Yeah, it’s better. It should be. And it is. I’m ignoring the relic part. It’s worth the extra price to me just for the tone.

[@robtech341]

Great video. I have all 4 of them, including the "Red" not reviewed here. 1 HUGE issue I have with "Red" is the output jack being on the side instead of the top of the body. Other than that the 3 Striped series are pretty much the same, all very good, but "Frankie" just feels, and smells and looks so authentic. The B&W, I call VH-1, is pretty awesome as well. BB looks the prettiest, just gorgeous. Frankie and VH-1 are my favorites. I sanded all of the necks and treated them with various oils and waxes and the are all fantastic to play. "Frankie" is, for whatever reason, maybe the "Eddie dust" they sprinkled on it, just on another level to play. And I just stare at it as though Ed left it here accidently. And yes, I added the 1971D quarter. Oh and I agree with you, I have an American built Charvel So-Cal from 2010, plays exactly the same. I also removed the D-Tuna from Frankie.

[@johnnyandhiswolves]

I’m not even a huge EVH/VH fan but damn, I would love to try that pickup.

[@steveeckert8396]

You're tone is even more amazing then normal. What are you using?

[@donboehnker7542]

I've got one of the earlier bumblebee guitars and it's got an oil rubbed finish on the neck.. did they really use urethane finish on the newer ones?

[@joshuabritton6013]

They need the 1971 quarter next to the bridge

[@dumaflotchy13]

Outstanding !!! 🙂

[@gamingwithdakotaandmore4546]

The neck pickup isn't a dummy pickup. It does work but it's not hooked up just like the real frankie

[@clutch2827]

What are you running it through? Sounds great.

[@aquapros916]

Hey if i wanted a semi descent replica of the franky (not made in china preferably lol) .... Any ideas where i might find one? And possibly how much i can expect to spend?

[@breadzeppelin2705]

I wish I could afford a good guitar lol. You make me jealous but in the end it’s how well you play and you sir are epic.

[@cryptojihadi265]

What do you have that hooked up to? It sounds amazing.

[@donaldbeckett9223]

I enjoy your review. What is better EVH Frankie or the Mean Street Frankenstein replica?

[@ManuandFuci]

got mine a week ago (ordered back in Dec, 2020) and it is indeed a great guitar. Am rather a Gibson LP player, and have to admit this guitar rocks the hell out of it, a true blast. A superstrat is way lightyears ahead of any stratocaster. Mr. Eddie van Halen's genius propelled a legendary design towards a legendary tone and the EVH Frankie just delivers that beautiful tone.