EVH Wolfgang vs 5150 Standard | Not What You'd Expect

[@CameronCooper]

I am using a Yamaha THR30II amp. NO PEDALS AMP Settings here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqOrXndpmK9pl9U

[@weslester5150]

Sweet. Bc of your use of it I bought on in January. I have not used anything since. Crazy sweet sound. Even my 11year said it sounds good haha. Thanks for recommending good stuff. You have also taught me a lot with your videos. Much appreciation Cam!!!

[@ivorycybernetics]

May i ask what string gauge.? Standard tuning?

[@CameronCooper]

@@ivorycybernetics 09-42

[@ivorycybernetics]

@@CameronCooper stellar playing sir!

[@joqu6971]

Sounds phenomenal

[@blainetrahan8883]

Bruh, you’re playing!!!! You nailed EVH. Great stuff!!

[@tommya5957]

Cameron, everytime I watch one of your videos I just wanna go reach for my EVH or Charvel and play loud and long. Your playing is always super inspiring and impressive my man.

[@rocksteady6448]

They're both great guitars it's whatever you feel like playing

[@randyrowell8048]

LOVE my 5150! Had it about a year. Actually got it based on your reviews. The neck just fits my hands and feels great. Great video Cam! Spot on with the descriptions. Your playing is impeccable, as always. The Yamaha is dialed in perfectly. I need to look into one. I have a seriously loud EVHiii which is great but sometimes you need that tone without all of the volume. Well done young man.

[@TalkNRock]

How is the 5150's neck? Slim? Shreddy? To what neck would you compare it to? Ibanez,Jackson ?

[@tomwolfe1594]

Thanks for posting this Cam. I’m glad you touched on the Wolfgang’s neck profile at the nut. It’s too narrow for those of us that do not have small hands. The Wolfgang Special’s nut width is only 41.3mm wide - it feels like playing a broom stick. The 5150 and striped series necks are 42.8mm wide at the nut; it’s amazing the difference 1.5mm makes. Thanks again for the brilliant content as always!

[@austinstyles6393]

Love the look of the Wolfgang but the narrow nut width is what stopped me from getting one.😢

[@dadude7]

You severed that relationship? Mate, do tell 😂😂 I sense juice! Great playing as always. 👍🏻

[@eddiejr540]

@3:30…girl gone bad…hell yea!!…my fav VH song and look at Cam’s face…thats what happens to you when you play it…it’s addictive 👍

[@vincesalutari4501]

Awesome demo Cameron. Your playing is so inspiring.

[@greekfreak1980]

About the pickup selector: they could easily use the control scheme that ESP uses for the Horizon models or Ibanez for the Satriani signature guitars. Basically: move the 3-way toggle switch to where the tone control is and move the tone control further away. Also, make the tone control into a push-pull coil splitter pot.

[@tomaslopez2940]

Between the two, I’d prefer the 5150. I have always loved ‘80’s style superstrats since they combine comfy fender bodies with high output pickups and add Floyd’s as the cherry on top

[@texugo6239]

Omg!! He played Mob Rules!! One of my favorites riffs of all time

[@sontinos528]

your videos are absolutely perfect for learning some serious licks and getting inspired!

[@6thmichcav262]

The scoop at the end of the headstock always reminded me of how Eddie opened his mouth when soloing.

[@the_inspired_one]

I feel like the neck shape on the Wolfgangs I've tried at Guitar Center wasn't consistent. Because I played one that was flipping amazing,..... and I of course I didn't buy thinking their all the same. :( Dont be like me. If you find an EVH Wolfgang you love, flipping buy it! All love my guitar shreddin bro's!!

[@LeeWhalan-bi8kc]

Love my Wolfgang, it’s by far my favourite and the best guitar I’ve ever played, problem is now all my other guitars are lonely

[@m1911forever]

I have a Wolfgang standard and I love this thing. I play it more often than I do my Jem Jr. And that one has a sustainment pickup on it. As for my Wolfgang, it’s comfortable for me to play and kill time with. Not to say my ibenez isn’t comfortable to play. But as of late, I find myself gravitating to my Evh instead. Absolutely love it. I wanna install a d-tuna on mine. I have a tone vise on my Jem. That is one reason why I still turn back to my Ibenez. Drop D baby

[@playswithpixels]

The 5150 is truly a great guitar. I like how versatile it is, I play anything from VH to Pantera with it.

[@CameronCooper]

It's not how versatile the guitar is, its how versatile you are

[@HONORYOUROATH]

I could watch you play Girl Gone Bad a billion times and never get tired of it.

[@paulburton5150]

Oh man. You nailed that Girl Gone Bad. I was instantly transported back to my mid teens.

[@jasonbarnesbefuddledprofessor]

I own a Ernie Ball Music man 1994, it just his beautiful hands down the Best guitar I have ever played. 🤘

[@CameronCooper]

Glad you like it, but if I had one now I'd sell it.

[@ac60sc123]

Dude!! You really have the evh style under your fingers, great job!!

[@bretthead3268]

Thanks for the awesome presentation!..And Stellar playing as well!..I got the Miami blue Wolfgang special back a couple months ago...But will get a 5150 soon!

[@jakemidkiff5720]

Don't see a dead rip at Girl Gone Bad everyday ! Kudos on the tone and feel. Lots of cats can play the notes but few can capture the phrasing and feel. Nice job !

[@CameronCooper]

Thanks mate! I'm actually playing girl gone bad wrong here too. I've improved it since aha. Glad you liked it :)

[@jakemidkiff5720]

@@CameronCooper Well, It sounded fantastic and King Edward would be the first to tell you to play it your own way anyway. "If it sounds good, it is good" - EVH

[@brownsfan7753]

Great review!!

[@tzd]

Wolfgang Special is great but I always get disoriented with the neck positioning when I play it, and it takes me a few days of playing to get used to it.

[@nickfarrow4788]

What you mean with neck positioning? The neck seems to you placed more on the "left side"?

[@1rgam3r]

Thanks for the great commentary. I’ve watched a number of vids on these (mostly good) but you gave me the info I was looking for. Subbed! 😉 Cheers!

[@MonsterDog5150]

Another amazing review Cam! I love your playing style. I hate to hear that you severed your ties with FMIC. Keep rockin dude! 🤘🏼

[@ramirosaenz1145]

Ooohhhh the last in line and mob rules 🤘🏼👏🏻👏🏻

[@allendean9807]

This is great! I have loved my lefty Wolfgang since 2018! I’ve been very pleased to see the 5150 in two lefty models Thanks for this video! And to the switch thing? I spun mine sideways. Solved the hitting it out issue. And, i took the switch tip off. That guitar isn’t meant for the neck position anyway….

[@torstenbangert4026]

Turn the PU switch clockwise by 45 degrees as a workaround.

[@CameronCooper]

That makes things even more awkward in my case.

[@caseyallen7172]

Loved that aftershock bit 🤘

[@MKRISING75]

You answered my million dollar question about which one to purchase I love that 5150 stealth thanks for a great informative video along with the spectacular playing. I was surprised to hear you say your working relationship with Fender is over man what happened? For me it’s the price increase a stripped series use to be $899 now $1149 that sucks you can buy a 5150 series or a Wolfgang special for less!! That f’n sucks…anyway Rock on 🤟🏻

[@DarkObsidianMusic]

It’s not the guitar that sounds good it’s the player that is playing it 🤟

[@eddieschpaghetticomer7325]

Absolutely, No doubt !!👍⚡🎸⚡🎸⚡🎸🦂🦂

[@eddieschpaghetticomer7325]

At least 70% the player for sho !! 🎸⚡🎸⚡🎸

[@eddieschpaghetticomer7325]

A damn good amp !! And pickups

[@Bushwig]

@AnimeSusiMusic I just about believe that very same thing.

[@eddiecancelmusic]

100%! This guy should team up with @CooperCarter and be the Coopers! Both great players 🤘🏻

[@kevzed927]

Your right hand technique is superb. Very nice video.

[@CameronCooper]

Had to really work on that given I'm left handed

[@kierancooper4711]

My solution to the G string (Giggity) tuning issues on the Wolfgang? Locking tuners! Don’t believe people who say it’s pointless with a Floyd - anything that speeds up the restringing process can only be a good thing!

[@SO-bp2uc]

I like the look of the 5150 much better, but I have the Wolfgang for the smaller neck profile. I prefer the profile for a lot of reasons but especially because it makes muting technique easier for me and my arthritic hand.

[@atbgaming8342]

The Wolfgang Standard has the same switch position. I took the back cover off, loosened the nut on the switch, turned it 180 and it's good to go. Installing my d-tuna Friday. Good vid!

[@Plisken65]

I turned mine 90 degrees; point to front = neck, switch to rear = bridge.

[@rayadray9279]

I'm slow with compliments as a rule but excellent playing from you 100% you have it down

[@leftyzappa]

The fact that you get to have a gorgeous blue veneer whereas I get a matte black (as a lefty) makes my balls ache. :P You are excellent and educational as always dude. Cheers from Austin Tx.

[@jonn8163]

You are so right it is absolutely annoying, winding the G string

[@leftyzappa]

I finally got the lefty 5150 stealth. I was a strat guy for the first 15 years. Then I went to Vs after I wore the frets down to the wood on my strat. Funny - now I have to get used to a strat again. This guitar is excellent. 😊

[@mkno25]

Still like the 5150? I'm about to get one.

[@leftyzappa]

@@mkno25you’ll love it. Adjust the claw screws of the Floyd in the cavity to set the tension of the strings to taste.

[@keithrobertson8025]

I agree I hate where they put the switch on 5150 guitar but other than that I love mine

[@MattSofianosGuitar]

I had a Japanese Wolfgang Special for a few years and it was that damn headstock that I just couldn’t live with. I felt like a Dad who’d borrowed his teenage son’s guitar. Tone and ergonomics were impeccable, though.

[@StephanieGuitar]

I have two wolfgang standards, stealth black and gold sparkle! Love them both sooo much! Might get the purple daze 5150 for the killswitch lol

[@leftyzappa]

I sure do with they would make a lefty version of that 5150. With a killswitch please.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Great video Cameron! I've been considering both and leaning toward the 5150 because of the reasons you mentioned. Both E strings slip off the fretboard easily for me on the WG, and I have pinched my finger several times on that headstock.

[@janezimmerman7987]

Useful comparison.

[@dreambeliever3652]

I would go with the smaller one because it’s easier to get around for me

[@Peter_Stoops]

I’ve been rocking wolfgangs live and in the studio since 1994 (see my avatar pic)……most every time I change strings I bump the headstock with the winder on the 3rd string…..love em’ though!!!!!!!!

[@johnnyromero3336]

Excellent Video Cameron, For me the EVH Wolfgang are the most comfortable, the Heel on the 5150's, Striped series, Charvel's is a deal breaker for me. too blocky/bulky compared to the Wolf's

[@aonewitheld9593]

Enjoyed your video. Which one would you recommend for small beginner hands-The Wolfgang? Thanks!

[@CameronCooper]

The Wolfgang, yes.

[@flaviosouto1]

5150 is beautifull

[@butcho7492]

Just Like Tiger Woods. 😂😂😂😂😂 Nice one, Cam!

[@dereksmith72]

Love the video, Cameron. I was curious is the 5150 the same body as the stripe series.

[@CameronCooper]

No it's not, very similar to an old Kramer

[@simonc1uk]

Love a bit of Aftershock! Nice.

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

I had a striped 5150. Sounded great! Unfortunately, the neck didn’t fit my hand even as well as my PRS Custom 24. I also have a striped Wolfgang Special. Now THAT guitar there….is my new number 1. Incredibly ergonomic….though it shouldn’t be. No belly cut. No forearm cut. And yet, it feels great. The neck is superb. I’m itching to get a Wolfgang USA now.

[@sontinos528]

...the Yamaha THR30II sounds unbelievably good.

[@Haukman66]

I had a Wolfgang Special. Loved it at first. But the two main things that finally had me selling it, were two things that you brought up. Short neck and the pickup switch location. Other than that it’s a great guitar!

[@callmehost7594]

is it harder to get to the higher frets with the 5150 than the wolfgang? im only asking because in know the WG has the cut at the heel that felt nice. im on the fence about weather to get a 5150 or a WG.

[@CrushingAxes]

Man, I'll probably have to buy at least 4 of each one to answer this.

[@richardsmith7322]

The 5150 wins just from the shape, killswitch and satin black other than that no difference between the two honestly. Great video Cam are you looking at any other guitar companies?

[@garyedwards4783]

I've been playing a Wolfgang since the Pat. Pending 95-96. Goodbye Strats & PRS. Love that gtr! Switched to Custom Shop Wolfie in 2009 (miss the Peavey scoop in headstock). But have the purple 🟣 metal flake Special since 2017. Ebony board beats maple imo. Great stable quarter sawn neck NEVER loses tune! My choice hands-down: Wolfgang Special.

[@mariofink2267]

..you are my Master⚜️Class

[@MainPrism]

I recently bought a Wolfgang Special in the Solar Burst and friggin' love it. It's just so amazingly easy to play and the neck profile fits into my hand so well. Almost got a 5150 in the Slime Green but I'm a sucker for a good figured top, veneer or not (I don't whine over veneers).

[@danlightfoot6592]

Yes!!! ❤️

[@nozecuervo666]

I am absolutely in love with the slime green 5150. Ever since Dweezil's green 80s monstrosity. :)

[@BDOWN5]

Last in Line!!!

[@michaelvaldez5453]

I love my Miami Blue Wolfie, but I have conflicting feelings on how small the neck is. When I go back onto the So Cal it feels huge lol

[@Ilovehotguitars]

Absolutely amazing! I want one so bad! Just picked up an EVH 5150 iconic combo this would sound amazing

[@nikkmorse]

Love both, black one is defo my fave, and your playing....wow 🤘🏼😈🤘🏼

[@JeffBuchanan-p3l]

Had a chlorine burst Wolfgang that was just beautiful. Sold it though because it just wasn’t comfortable to play without the tummy cut on the back. Prefer my WG standard.

[@GearGasms]

It’s also difficult to get a Snark on that tiny headstock!

[@CameronCooper]

I'll find a way of doing it aha

[@b00neDawg00]

I’d pick the Wolfgang over the 5150 because I prefer the narrow 1.625 nut width on it

[@connorhenderson9516]

One of my friends has the 5150, I have the WG special stealth. I personally prefer the WG based on looks and, like you mentioned, the pickup switch is easier to get around while tapping than the 5150. Kill switch is a fun feat on the 5150 though

[@707Berto]

Which do you like better between the EVH and MIJ Charvels?

[@CameronCooper]

Charvel

[@johnanon3081]

Hey Cam! Just a video topic suggestion. Is there any chance you could post a video comparing tremolo and bridge systems? Especially where you review and play a lot of Charvels. I've read where FR German is better than the FR 1500 which is better than the FR 1000. Not sure what the EVH ones are using. Maybe you could even compare against Wilkinson style or Fender bridges and show what in your experience has been the more stable ones. Thanks again for the great videos!

[@CameronCooper]

Most Charvels have an FRT1000 system just like the EVHs. They stay in tune perfectly well just like any other expensive Floyd Rose system. There's little point comparing them to anything else because they're designed for a totally different purpose. In my case, the Floyd Roses are far superior for Van Halen style abuse compared to any other bridge I own.

[@johnanon3081]

@@CameronCooper Thanks for the reply!

[@MartRockCafe]

Great video mate, I have a pink 5150 and it's awesome tho I agree about the placement of the toggle switch, I also have a wolfgang standard zirocote which is awesome but the neck is so dark and it has black dots so I really struggle with it at gigs on a dark stage its too hard to see so I only use the 5150 for gigs now

[@CameronCooper]

That's a very good point..

[@jasonrestoule9175]

Hi Cameron, love your videos! Do you find the high e-string likes to roll off the fretboard on the Wolfgang?

[@CameronCooper]

Thank you! Yeah it happens. Ed was brilliant but not all his ideas were good aha

[@MikeBravos]

Tbh, I never tried any of the Wolfgangs, the closest I been is when I had an Axis which I regret selling so much. So I kinda understood what you meant with the narrower neck, kinda reminiscent to those vintage late 60s Gibson necks. I usually don’t like stealthed out black guitars but this one looks gorgeous. Maybe swap the hardware to gold? I am between the 5150 and the EVH relic series white but I need to add a neck pickup and a new pickguard.

[@daveyboy8907]

Nice collection, you rock

[@jasoncollins4140]

I like the Wolfgang special stelth for the price and the playability I got mine from reverb for 899 and it came with a evh hsc they got two left

[@Pulse2AM]

I like the tone of 5150 better, both are quite nice sounding.

[@superflysoulbrother]

Oh shit, youngblood knows the deep cuts!

[@kenmasters007]

The Mexican Wolfgang special has a narrower neck. The standard Wolfgang is a bit beefier. I haven't tried a 5150, but I assume it's similar. Older Wolfgang's from Japan and from Peavey were also had a fuller neck. I assume EVH had big hands.

[@countzero5150]

Got to be the 5150 for me. I had a wolfgang and it was an absolute tone monster but I could never get comfortable with the ergonomics of it. The 5150 is like a roided up kramer, and I do love my kramers.

[@russellfrazier8694]

Stellar Playing!😎

[@rvk5150]

Great video, analysis, and as usual playing Cam......thanks!

[@BracliCreations]

Fantastic Review!

[@rocknrollresignation93]

I love the 5150 but can’t stand the hockey headstock. Also the 5150’s neck profile is a definitely more substantial. The Wolfgang with the baked maple neck just feels so good in the hand. Not to mention the ergonomics of the Wolfgang’s body make it very comfortable to sit with

[@KnapfordMaster98]

I wish more people made the explorer-style headstock. All the neck makers go for the hockey stick since so many builders are just building VH replicas.

[@CameronCooper]

Yeah, and the hockey stick is impractical most of the time

[@I.am_Groot]

To me the Wolfgang is cool looking but does not feel or play right in my hands. Not a fan of the D-Tuna either but its something I could put up with on a guitar like the Stealth 5150. Love the headstock and kill switch.

[@ghclimer]

Cam the Man. Been watching and loving your vids for years. Truly a great player. The neck on the WG Special is TINY compared to the Frankie relic I picked up earlier in the year. The WG Special is such a comfortable and playable neck, but makes switching between different guitars feel a lot more different than they really are. I love both guitars and have been more than happy with both. Keep rocking Cam!

[@avnerds8273]

Do you have a Peavey Wolfgang? How does that compare to the EVH Wolfgang?

[@CameronCooper]

I didn't bother with the Peavey since the EVH was more readily available

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

I played one of the evh 5150 guitars at guitar center and was excited because I wanted to get the stealth version. The one I got to play had the worst fret work I’ve ever seen on a guitar in my 19 years playing. My hands hurt from the sharp fret edges and inspecting the frets, some weren’t sitting in the slots correctly and you could see the holes in the wood under the frets. It completely killed my urge to get this guitar. So bummed

[@CameronCooper]

I think you were simply unlucky

[@roalfaro316]

Hey! Great video and love your channel!! Quick question. You mention on 8:11 about high E “drop off”. What exactly do you mean by that?

[@CameronCooper]

A flaw with Eddie's neck preference is that they're so small and narrow, the high e string is prone to be being pushed off the edge of the neck when fretted.

[@roalfaro316]

@@CameronCooper thanks for clarifying! I thought that is what you meant. I have a Peavey HP Special guitar (made by Hartley Peavy after Eddie’s relationship with Peavy ended and HP ended up using mostly the same specs as the original wolfgang) that has the same issue. I thought it was a design flaw of my specific guitar but it seems like I’m not alone on this haha.

[@joqu6971]

Both argument settled.

[@philfrank5601]

Cam: how do you have the 5150 setup, with the bridge decked flush against the body? And how many springs, 2 or 3? If 2, didbyou need to further crank the trem claw springs to allow the DTuna to still function properly? What guage strings, and do you keep it in E flat? If not this one, though, what about the Frankie on the wall? Is that one setup more like EVH's was? Thank you!

[@CameronCooper]

5150 is stock, never changed a thing. Its got 9s on in Eb. The bridge is decked and d tuna works fine. No idea how many springs it has in it. I'm guessing 2 like the Frankie. As for how Eddie, set his up, I have no idea either. Never really cared about what he used. I just enjoyed learning his stuff.

[@AnnWahlquist]

i'm about to buy a Wolfgang.. but have also been thinking of the 5150... so now im not sure... leaning towards the WG.

[@CameronCooper]

As the video states, they're both more or less the same. Go with what you prefer the look of.

[@AnnWahlquist]

​@@CameronCooper i love the Wolfgang look... but also love the satin black 5150 and that 80's headstock... i DO have small hands... i love them both... its really hard . if im buying the Wolfgang its going to be a standard...im not paying double the prize for a d-tuna... thats pretty much the only difference between the standard and Special.... and that the standard has a flat top

[@JTB--]

7:22 sounded kinda like that old Video Game Galaga