Charvel EVH Art Series Electric Guitar July 27, 2007 by Jo Minor So what does EVH stand for? Eddie Van Halen, of course! Charvel has b...
Charvel EVH Art Series Electric Guitar
July 27, 2007 by Jo Minor
So what does EVH stand for? Eddie Van Halen, of course! Charvel has been working with Van Halen to produce a line of striped guitars like the ones he made popular. The Charvel EVH Art Series guitar is not inexpensive, though, retailing for $3299.99. It has been designed by Eddie Van Halen himself to be just right for fast and furious soloing.
The Charvel Guitar name is closely associated with the Jackson brand of guitars. As of this time, both brand names are owned by Fender. Originally, though, both businesses were known as “Charvel Guitar Repair.” Wayne Charvel and Grover Jackson were partners in the business in the late 70’s. Then Charvel sold his part of the business and the rights to his name to Jackson. Now Fender owns both names and makes the guitars of both names at their Corona, California factory.
Wayne Charvel is quite a talented artist, and is known for his intricate and unique electric guitar paint jobs. So it just makes sense that the Charvel name has lived on in the Art Series. Of course, Eddie Van Halen is an artist in his own right, and his Frankenstein (aka “Frankenstrat”) striped paint job is a classic example of a famous personalized electric guitar. Actually, Van Halen has had a number of guitars with the same striped pattern.
If you want an actual replica of the original Frankenstein, you can get one. There is a limited run, produced by Fender, of 300 guitars that retail for $25,000 (each!). It features every ding and cigarette burn of the original.
This rendition from Charvel is not quite authentic, but who will know the difference when you gig with this stunning axe. At about one-tenth the price, if you can find it discounted, maybe you can do without a bit of authenticity.
Advantages: In addition to the art designed by Eddie Van Halen, the The Charvel EVH Art Series electric guitar is a good sounding, easy playing guitar. It has super fast, low action and incredible sustain. The fretboard has a specially designed compound radius, which flattens out as you progress up to the higher frets. It is the style of neck Eddie Van Halen likes, and is perfect for tapping those VH style solos. The pickup is really a good one, too. If you get a guitar tech to set it up for you and help you learn to use the Floyd Rose, this guitar will really smoke for you.
The Charvel EVH Art Series electric guitar is not too heavy, so if you are a female rocker and Van Halen fan, you might really love it. It has a good quality paint job and the guitar is very well made. The real value of this guitar, however, is as a potential collectors’ item, and for those who collect Van Halen memorabilia.
Disadvantages: Well, frankly, the Charvel EVH Art Series is probably overpriced for most people. If you have guitar tech skills, you could probably construct one yourself for about a fourth of the price. Only the most dedicated Van Halen fans will probably want to shell out the bucks, because apart from the paint job, it is really just a strat with a Floyd Rose and a compound neck. Some people say it only has about the quality of a high end Squier, at that. And it only has one pickup. Surely you could get the equivalent sound and ease of play from something less expensive.
But if you love Eddie and want it for the nostalgic good looks? It’s your call. It is a good guitar and you will probably love playing it.
Specs:
- Basswood body in custom striped pattern made famous by Eddie Van Halen
- Bolt on quarter-sawn Eastern hard rock maple neck
- Integrated fretboard
- Compound radius on fingerboard that flattens out toward the higher frets
- Specially formulated oil finish on neck
- Black dot position inlays
- 1.625 inch width at the nut
- 22 jumbo frets
- 25.5 inch scale
- Floyd Rose original double locking tremolo bridge system
- Chrome hardware
- Custom special-wound EVH humbucking pickup at the bridge
- One tone control knob
- Available in black on white with a black pickguard
- Available in yellow on black or black and white on red with no pickguard
- Comes with a hardshell case
Related sites:
* This doesn’t have anything to do with the The Charvel EVH electric guitar, but if you would like to see what Wayne Charvel is up to these days, check out the Wayne Guitars website. (Good thing he had two names!) These are some pretty cool looking guitars.
* Check this web page out if you would like to see a whole lot of pictures of Eddie Van Halen’s guitars.
* Here is some more info about how Eddie developed his first “Frankenstrat.“
* Gotta give you one more Eddie Van Halen article. This one is a little easier to figure out.
Buy Cheap Online: The Charvel EVH Art Series
