EVH Wolfgang Special Set Up - Tremolo Mod - Fixed or Floating! Yeah!

[@guitarz]

Great explanation on the Wolfgang... love mine but it was a journey to get to where I wanted it

[@doublejake.4846]

Damn, you are a wealth of knowledge, I own a 2017 Wolfgang Standard, and love it. I just make noise, plugged into a Randall Amp., enough to make the girl friend mad at bed time. Wish I understood working on a guitar and how important it is, really wish you were my neighbor, your knowledge would be appreciated. I just subscribed to your channel, one thing my Dad is 87 and mom 80, so I know where you are coming from, when I comes to helping a parent. Look forward to more of your videos.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

double jake - well keep playin double jake, I make a fare amount of noise myself, lol just turn it up and strum some big distorted chords and listen to the Marshall growl ha ha. Better than shutting the door and drinking for an hour, showing back up for dinner half soused I guess :) every once in a while that noise turns into something totally you \m/ good luck with the folks.

[@kevinmattie1121]

Excellent info. I love the idea of the floating trem for flutters. I appreciate you taking the time to make this video and hope you and your mom enjoyed your lunch😃🤘🎸

[@beaudalleomusic3525]

I wish I could bring my guitars to you! Awesome video.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Thanks Beaudalleomusic - Just happen to have brought one home today. And old Teisco that my friend wants massaged and finessed :) Love working on guitars.

[@mrjobass47]

love that your mom was calling you

[@Virtual-Media]

Extremely helpful, some great tips for those who don't have a luthier shop thank you very much for posting!

[@oldguyjammin7485]

You got it man, glad it was helpful! Thanks for the boost \m/

[@donjoseph73]

I had to go with the big brass block and fu springs. The sustain is unbelievable!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Sweet man! We love sustain, yes? I keep hearing about those big brass blocks... may have to check one out :)

[@qua7771]

How did it fit. I looked in mine, and it didn't look like there was a.lot of room. I'm was also concerned that the thicker block would darken the tone. Mine has a lot to f sustain stock, so I didn't mess with it on the first string change. I only put brass string retainer blocks it. That tamed the highs quite a bit more than I was expecting.

[@weonboard9430]

Awesome tips and good video as always. Your mom sounds like the sweetest ever.

[@flashy5150]

The paper clip modi’s a really cool idea. I just bought a used Wolfgang Special, I think it’s a Korean version. The guitar plays awesome but I needed to loosen the claw screws a little because the tremolo was too tight to do dive bombs and squeals. One think I am noticing now, is that the fret-ends are a little rough and stick out a little too much, causing my high E to get caught und the fret-ends in a few places, which is annoying. I’m going to have to file them down and smooth them out. Other than that, I find the neck is the best size and the nut width is the most comfortable that I have ever played. I’m totally in love with the Wolfgang guitar now. Great video and great tips. 👍👍👍🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@oldguyjammin9732]

That there is "fret sprout" and happens to many guitars as moisture continues to leave the neck... it shrinks a bit and leaves those sharp ends sticking out. Easy fix but does take some time. They are still my favorite guitar by a long shot.

[@auzzielosborne1336]

God bless your sweet mother!!! Nice setup and tips!!!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Thank you and Thank You!

[@adozensparrows]

A Million Thank You(s)!! I never knew the shims were in the Wolfie Special nut?! There were No shims in my USA EVH Sig. (Never assume,eh?) 🤘🔊🔊

[@oldguyjammin9732]

There’s probably not going to be shims under EVERY locking nut, but so far for me, there have been; EVH, Jackson, Charvel. I imagine on your USA model they took the time to perfectly dial in the nut height. Rock on little g \m/

[@desertrain4026]

10:44 MOM's!!! They're the BEST!!! :-)

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Yaaaa.... :)

[@stephencook9357]

Dude awesome vid, hilarious when Ma called for her haircut lol. The clip trick is cool, way cheaper than a tremel-no device or similar products. Thanks for vid!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Cool man - thanks for coming by ;-) yes, I’ve sinced blocked out all my trem bars. The floaters can create unwanted resonance and tone killing vibration. On my Jackson I used a 9/16 nut and some contact cement haha works great!

[@danielgreenberg4751]

Lots of cool tips. Thanks for the awesome video 😀🤘🏼

[@oldguyjammin9732]

You’re welcome! I believe the Wolfgang standards to be the finest guitars out there for the $$

[@terrencemurphy9427]

Super helpful video, especially considering the fact that I'm the new owner of this guitar! Wild that I somehow stumbled upon this video.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Nice guitar but I have to say, the standard is really the way to go, WAY more comfortable to play and with all the regular attributes. Saves you a bunch of $$$.

[@terrencemurphy9427]

@@oldguyjammin9732 No, I mean I actually bought this guitar from you on Wednesday. I found this video because I needed a Floyd Ride tutorial and recognized the guitar in the thumbnail. Turned out it was actually my new guitar!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

@@terrencemurphy9427 Oh My Gosh Terrance!! Of Course, lol. Well... you can now see all the care and tweaking that went into making this guitar into the absolutely reliable beast that it is! I tell my friends, throw a Wolfgang and a PRS down a flight of stairs and there will be only one coming back up to rock...

[@aceman1969nlb]

Thanx. Great video. I learned alot. 👍🎸👍👍👍👍

[@JohnnyBeane]

Great video!!! Love Wolfgang Guitars!!

[@brianewert6667]

Awesome man, thank you. Yes the Wolfs are really great AND a bit different in tone than anything else out there. Absolutely love the neck.

[@JohnnyBeane]

Anytime! Yes the necks are amazing! I have three EVH Wolfgang's myself. All parts guitars from Japan, China and Indonesia.

[@rc3754]

Side note: I adjust my pickup toggle switch to the ~ 2 o'clock-8 o'clock position (player's perspective) for more ergonomic switching. Just loosen, adjust, tighten. 1 minute.

[@idonthateit]

Interesting solution using the clip.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Works like a champ!

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

I own about 11 guitars rn and prob 15 since I started playing 19 years ago and the thing that sucks about guitar is there is always something going wrong. The maintenance or just out of the box issues can drive you nuts. You can buy a new guitar and have issues like this after your dropped a grand or more and it’s frustrating as hell. If you are a beginner it’s a nightmare because you don’t even know what you are talking about or looking at as far as what can go wrong. I’m still learning how to fix stuff on my guitars and the causes of little annoying playing issues. It’s rarely just pick up and play and it’s always perfect. Guitar is such a pain in the ass sometimes

[@qua7771]

Is there any hobby that isn't like that? One problem is that everyone has different taste in what a perfect setup is.

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

@@qua7771 yeah, dumpster diving

[@qua7771]

@@GeorgeZimmermen Haha. I think I've picked a few things out of the trash. They usually needed repair too. As for guitar, we acquire skills, and tools over time. I feel for those who have no mechanical ability, because they are at the mercy of getting a pristine playing instrument, which is rare these days. I started in the late 70's with no internet, or way to get information. Luthier tools weren't readily available. I get it, but things are much different today. You can find how-to video on anything, and tools are available.

[@THEItchybruddah]

This video, and your Mom, are awesome!!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Lol, right on! :)

[@zipchtkdn7804]

Original Floyd ,graph tech, gotoh ,and Schaller and tuners up grade I plan to do .

[@oldguyjammin9732]

I’d perhaps think about the tuners, once it’s tuned and the nut locked down there’s no point in expensive tuners... up to you of course :) I’ve had absolutely ZERO problem with the guitar - bullet proof imo.

[@zipchtkdn7804]

@@oldguyjammin9732 look like a olde peavey with the paint .Yes tuners don't matter with the locking nut. Prolly would upgrade saddles and big block .

[@rcoplien]

Shouldn't the 7th fret be able to be 4/32s pressing on the 17th fret? Also aren't the string balls suppose to be cut off?

[@joeobrien6998]

My dad knows the guy in my local guitar store so I gave it to him and paid £30 to have it set up. I have made my own Frankenstrat and set that up ok but I wanted my Wolfgang to be perfect.

[@benjimanmexican8893]

This helps so much

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Benjiman Mexican - well thanks so much for saying so :) really one of, if not my favorite guitar but it took some work.

[@ramosc40]

Great video!! I’m interested in the neck pick up mod, that neck pickup is useless on my specials. Do you have any advice on how to do it?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Yes sir, I found a series to parallel switch really worthwhile - or - a pretty bright OD when using the neck pup. The series to single coil is easier but resulted in a significant volume drop. I did a video on the series/parallel deal. If memory serves, you have to run 4 conductors between the switch cavity and the volume knob, the volume knob has to be switched out with push/pull (or better a push/push) switching knob that is DPDT. Any wiring diagram for series/parallel switching should get you the rest of the way there. I sold my specials and bought standards for the comfort cuts - the EVH are imo - the best bang for your buck guitar on the market.

[@dalealanbryant7062]

I have an EVH Wolfgang, where, the adjustable posts on the neck pick-up, are facing the neck, and, on the bridge pickup, they're facing the bridge. Does this matter?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

No, it doesn’t matter. Sounds like someone might have installed one of the pickups turned around. If it bothers you, unscrew it and turn it around the next time you do a string change :)

[@carldavies1023]

Nice work and keep looking after.your mum, rock on,,,,,,

[@redcanary7]

im having the issue where my evh standard is brand new and yeah it wont stay in tune. im not sure what you mean by the process of getting rid of the machining burr....do i take the fine tuning knobs right out of the bridge? doesnt seem to let me. also, the fine tuning knobs knobs arent smooth, they are sort of course when i turn them

[@oldguyjammin9732]

RedCanary7 - don't take them out. When turned in the screw pushes on the bolt that runs underneath it so back the screw out just over half way but don't try and take it out, they are knurled at the tip to prevent being removed. Use your finger to press the long bolt down creating space between the fine tuner and the bolt. Insert a strip of 400 grit or 200 grit... whatever medium sandpaper you have with the grit facing up, then ease the bolt back up to create pressure between the fine tuner and bolt and pull the sanding strip out. Repeat 2 or 3 times per tuner. When you finish add a bit of light weight oil to the fine tuner threads (q tip) and run them up and down a few times. A little oil between the tuner and bolt is nice too. Of course, make sure your nut is tight and stretch your strings good. New strings will take a while to settle in. Good luck, come back with any issues you're still having.

[@redcanary7]

@@oldguyjammin9732 i got this done and changed the strings from whatever the factory slop was and its staying in tune....happy day...happy day....thanks for this tip it was actually sooooooooooo perfect. that burr really was causing issues

[@Osssssssssssssh]

cool video

[@oldguyjammin9732]

locked out trems are the best trems.

[@donjoseph73]

Something with the standard? They come with shims in them? First decked I’ve ever owned for 40 years it was all floating. I don’t use the up much and for what little I do and I don’t play Vai stuff these days so decked is great for me these days.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

blocked, decked, etc... is the way to go, special or standard. But blocking against the body is stupid.

[@westallica5150]

I was wondering how to get mine to not float. I don’t like that. I tried screwing in the spring bar in more. It kind of helped. I’ll have to get a clip from work and try that tomorrow.

[@Justa-Fern]

15:54 would at all effect the tuning stability from when it locked to now floating? Just curious :)

[@flashy5150]

I think we are about the same age, I’m almost 52 and my mom’s 81. Mom’s are great, aren’t they 👍

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Yep, they give there lives to us and it's our honor to reciprocate in their later years.

[@Swanlord05]

I put a sliding door security bolt in the back of mine!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Ya, see!?!? Why do people pay for the simple stuff? Adjustable hard stop blah, blah, blah lol - way to go man.

[@UKSportsFan]

Awesome video, thanks so much for sharing. Quick question...is an EVH Wolfgang Special tuned in standard tuning, or does it come tuned to standard, down a half step?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

It comes tuned to standard E but can be set up for what ever you prefer. I block out ALL my locking trem systems and have one at standard, one a half step lower and one at D standard... all have the D-tuna installed. I find blocking out the trems adds a lot to the sustain and overall tone. Good question - thanks for asking \m/

[@tdarnerd]

The hat in the left hand corner looks like thanos

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Charlie Easey - ha ha ha, scrotum chin!?!? Gotcha...

[@Sicklix]

Those burrs on the end of the fine tuners are there so you don’t back the tuner all the way out.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Sicklix - hey man, I would consider those ‘knurled’ what I intend is to flatten the contact surfaces between screw and tuner arm. But I getcha!

[@Sicklix]

@@oldguyjammin9732 they're just soft brass. If you use a set of needle nose, and put some tape around the ends to protect the screw, you can twist them counter clockwise and it'll straighten the burr out. What it's screwed into is hardened steel. I just ordered a Wolfgang, so I watched your vid.

[@desertrain4026]

I've never heard about stringing a Floyd Rose guitar like you did in the video... I've always (Since my Kramer Baretta 1986) strung my Floyd Rose guitars by cutting off the balls and sometimes leaving the excess on the heavier gauge D, A and E. (I will also take out the strings from the tremolo and snip the strings, cutting off the bent section What are the benefits string a guitar as you did in the video. I'm definitely intrigued. Thank you for your video!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

I find it quite a bit faster for one, another plus is not having to try and wind up the little strings loose cuz they’re locked in by the string bead. When I was a kid without much $ I’d leave extra and trim broken ends when they’d break from the bridge, lol it was terrible how I treated my stuff, rust, corrosion - not good. Try this, you may like it, it’s quick and like have a locking tuner, although with the locking nut their’s no real need.

[@dougevans9975]

Could someone help me with my setup? I just got it a few days ago. My issue is... It's too low at the top and too high at the bottom.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Doug Evans - I can try, too low at the top of what and too high at the bottom of what?

[@mojodojo5533]

How do you adjust the trem left to right? My EVH Wolf Standard is a little higher on the low E side (d-tuna side) and touching body on the high E. I think its causing a buzzing sound too.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

John Wallace you won’t be able to adjust the bridge laterally or left to right, sorry if something I said mislead... but I ran into the same issue with the bridge hitting the body on one corner. I first, very carefully with a dremel tool, removed some of the wood from the recess under the bridge and then filled the “new recess” with black paint. It was better but I was still unable to get my action low enough without the bridge hitting the body and grounding out the bridge height adjustment screws. So I shimmed the neck and now the bridge floats freely when floating and with the use of my clamp shim, sits firmly against the body (in the spring cavity) and uniformly between the spring tension. You may need to shim your neck. Fold a standard business card in half and throw the neck back on :) or some doubled up card stock. Then try using one of those clamps to lock it out. I think you’ll find the D-Tuna works MUCH better. Thanks for asking and good luck.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

John Wallace the only other option I thought of was, if your set on having the bridge bottom out on the guitar body, is to adjust it level to the body and deal with whatever string height (action) you end up with. Other thoughts included a “set screw” of sorts that went right up through the body to contact the underside of the bridge that could be advanced (for locking it out) or drawn back (for free floating) but over time the clip idea came to life and I really like it. Good luck

[@mojodojo5533]

Really appreciate you taking the time to think through this. I will be doing more "thinking"

[@gsbart69]

Great video. Thanks so much. Forgive the amateur-hour question, but if I want to keep it fixed (not floating), are you saying that the clip/magnet mod at the end of the video will prevent the bridge from hitting the body after depressing the whammy bar? I love the guitar, but that “click” that happens after every time I dive (even slight dives), is such a pet peeve. Hope I’m wording this correctly. Thanks again!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Yes, if I’m understanding you correctly, that click will go away and you’ll have better over all performance. If your guitar is like mine was, the bridge is not perfectly parallel to the body so that when it came to rest on the body it would get tweaked and notch up a bit between the knife edges of the bridge and the post pivot points. The hard stop needs to be between the force points of the springs.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Hey Gary, you could probably send me something through FB at Brian Oldguyjammin or my email [e-mail] or post it to youtube and send me the “private link”.

[@gsbart69]

@@oldguyjammin9732 that’s so nice of you. Sent email with 6-second video

[@oldguyjammin9732]

@@gsbart69 - well that was fun, ha ha. Watched it till it actually started turning into a song of it’s own, catchy rhythm there Gary. imo it has to be between two moving parts, so knife blades and posts, or sustain block and springs. Things to try - take the back cover off and with the guitar on its edge perform the same dive bomb while feeling and looking at the springs. Also put a finger on each post to see if you feel the click there. This little click might be felt more than seen. And then try inserting ‘something’ screwdriver, plier handle, carpenters pencil in the cavity between the sustain block and body to act as a hard stop (you may need an extra pair of hands) so that the bridge isn’t stopping against the body on the top of the guitar. You may also look at the set up. My feeling is that the pop happens when the bridge moves from a slightly negative angle, to flat, and then to positive. Really look at those contact points between knife edges and posts for wear and get back to me with what you find :)

[@aapddd]

So is this a floating trem or dive only ? I'm looking for dive only. Might look at a fixed bridge.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

With this mod you can have either. The D-tuna requires a blocked out, or fixed “dive only” whammy bar. This guitar was using the body as a bridge stop which isn’t the best because the bridge is not parallel to the body so it can rock a bit as it settles on a corner. This mod allows the bridge to settle between the spring tension where it should. It works great and it’s super easy. Any time you want a floating trem you just pull the block out and retune slightly :)

[@rockstaradventures1]

You figure they would re-design these guitars so a person doesn't have to go thru all this to get the action low, also Ive worked on guitars that only use a strip shim on back of neck pocket for a shim, over time the neck warps and cause a ramping up effect. The best way is to use a full shim the shape of the whole pocket, also why adjust the neck angle and not just raise the neck on the same angle by using a flat complete shim? You can buy complete shims or use credit cards etc. and shape them to the shape of the pocket, I did this to my wolfgang without changing neck angle and it works great.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Rockstar Adventures - Well, it works fine as is I guess... I just didn’t like the way it was set up mechanically and thought it could be better, and it is :) your shim idea to raise the whole neck is genius, never thought of it and as you said, as a kid I used strips of credit card or heavy construction paper tripled up under the neck and it worked fine. These days I’m a little more particular I guess and wanted as much contact as possible.

[@rockstaradventures1]

@@oldguyjammin9732 You can use anything you want , as long as it covers the entire neck pocket, thus making the neck come in full contact with the body , otherwise moisture etc will get in there and over time the neck will warp up giving a ramp up on the ends of the fretboard. I also had to file my Nut down to get the strings about the distance of a hair above the first fret, making the feel much better.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Rockstar Adventures - that’s cool, I took a shim out from under the nut rather than filing. Taking the shim out took me down nicely. These are great guitars and robust as hell! I tell people that the PRS I had was probably the prettiest (form and fit) guitar I ever had but throw both of them down a flight of stairs and the EVH is coming back up to play, the PRS is going to the shop!

[@spiccolirocks3580]

That is a string height gauge not a fret leveling tool! Don't mislead the people!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

* Well it’s both Spiccoli, lol. As a string height gauge it’s worthless - use picks - as a fret leveler it rocks! Those 18 inch neck/fret straight edges are ridiculous cause a tight string is as straight as it gets. EVER TRY AND FIND A HIGH FRET WITH A 12” RULER??? Good luck \m/ rock on!

[@spiccolirocks3580]

@@oldguyjammin9732 A fret rocker is a 3 sided precision ground tool... i don't even know what your talking about when it comes to using a 12" ruler? I have the same string height gauge and have never used it as a fret rocker... to each his own! If it works for you that's great! 🤘

[@zipchtkdn7804]

I'd ditch that floyd.and nut and tuners.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Did you fold the “can strips” like the receipts?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Yes, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Depends on how much shimming is needed and your level of anality, lol. Often times a simple single folded piece (two layers thick) will do the job, maybe 3 layers at the most...? A piece of credit card is most often way too thick.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Oldguyjammin I received the critter yesterday. It appears the shims have been removed from the nut as the action is super low for about 3 frets. When I have time I’ll be getting out the screwdriver and cutting can slices!

[@THEItchybruddah]

Oldguyjammin: Cans applied! (Took a trip to the store for some two sided tape and a hole punch!) but the “lens has focused”! Now... last issue: Floyd “dips” into he recess of the body and the strings are not on the “flat plane”. Can’t seem to find any data on THAT particular adjustment. Is it in any of your previous videos? Either way, THANKS for sharing the wisdom and data on this procedure!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

@@THEItchybruddah - not exactly sure of your issue but I did have to do some additional wood removal around the recess under the string lock bolts that rest below the fine tuners so I could get my bridge really low. It was hard stopping against the top... stupid, knocked it off kilter.

[@THEItchybruddah]

@@oldguyjammin9732 I figured it out. It had to do with moving the claw forwards and backwards then retuning... lather rinse repeat... Mine sits in the recess perfectly but, it's pointing northward a little. Now I'm trying to figure why the vibrato is making the strings go sharp but, no amount of tugging on em' will "flatten" em out. Also the D-tuna is cantankerous. I'll figure it out. YOU got me over the worst part. It's playing REALLY good!

[@MrBreadfan77810]

Hey, what do you use to clean your fingerboard? I've heard that lemon oil is a bad idea when you have a maple fingerboard.

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Just a Metal Dude - depends on how dirty it is. If it’s really dirty (like on an old guitar I recently refurbished for a buddy of mine) I’ll apply some windex and lightly scrub it around with a tooth brush, wipe it dry and then apply a drop of F-one oil on the wood sections, rub it in and let it sit while I eat lunch then lightly wipe away the excess. I too have heard that lemon oil isn’t the best and can dissolve the fret glue...? If the neck isn’t grimy with build up I’ll use use guitar polish to clean it up. I oil my necks 2 or 3 times a year.

[@MrBreadfan77810]

Thanks! It would be awesome if you could make a Video About that. I actually ordered a Gold Wolfgang Speacial yesterday!

[@BillDerBerg]

Gun stock oil

[@ALLENGERHYTHM]

Holy cerap, you broke my hart. I guess I know enough already. 15:00 in WTH? No! Ugh just no!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Jeff Allen Smith - not exactly sure what got ‘ya’ll broken up’ there Mr. Smith, lol. Was it the setup? Well worth it, this guitar is a ton of fun to play. I tell folks that my PRS was probably the prettiest and most well put together guitar I ever owned, however if you threw them both a flight of stairs I could bring the Wolfgang back up and play it... the PRS, not even. Locking nut tremolos are always more complicated, especially one that is not supposed to float.

[@ALLENGERHYTHM]

@@oldguyjammin9732 It's all good. My ocd doesn't even like real floyd stops so the clip? I love my Wolfs to. But ya see the goal really is any tips to help get everything stable with only two springs. Up and down free. New strings can take a long time to stretch etc.

[@twodogsdave66]

trem-o-la?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Lmao, are you really correcting my spelling!?!? Or the way I may have said it, cause the spelling is correct…? The cadet’s logic is sound…….

[@clutch2827]

@@oldguyjammin9732 pronounced trem-ah-low

[@oldguyjammin9732]

@@clutch2827 - sheesh… recently watched a guy on Music is Win and he pronounced it 3 different ways just for guys like you, lol

[@gravykuffs5256]

Me eeeeeee can I get a shout out

[@ianplachy7659]

mr eeeeeeee

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Dang dude! You are “johnny on the spot” - usually AnimationTrashBin gets first comment.

[@walterdiaz3894]

i see bologna.....did noting show me

[@bruzzgravely3470]

Who do you think we sre? It would take a genius to do that, we’re did you buy that peace of junk

[@MikeBall-sz2jf]

You answer that phone and be a good son.. just like me!!!!!

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Hahaha YES!