A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

[TB]

Hi guys, I know you all have been through this a bunch... I did do a search here & read all the threads, but have a few more questions...

I wandered into a local store today & played one briefly. The store was about to close, so I really didn't have time to properly put it through its paces, but was fairly impressed nonetheless.

This is a used black one in nice condition, flat top, one volume knob, w/ licensed Floyd & D-Tuna, w/ the Ed signature on the back of the headstock. This is USA, not Korean, correct? What's the model name or number? They're asking 600 bucks with case. Good deal or keep looking around?

Next question is on the D-Tuna... by the time I got to dinking around with this, the store was shutting down... I did manage to make the move between standard & dropped D a few times, but I'm not sure how I arrived at that point... I did find it to be not as quick & easy as I would've imagined, but that might very well be because I didn't know what the hell I was doing... what exactly is the procedure for this?... is the D-Tuna mechanically sound, or are they prone to break down?... is the tuning dead nuts on for standard & dropped, or do you still need to tweak tuning after making the move?

I'm all over the tone knob on my guitars, gotta have it... being that I'm not the most technically adept bastard on the planet, I have to ask - any problems installing a tone knob on this guitar, & what would you say a ballpark $ figure is for a tech to do so?

How well does the guitar clean up from the volume knob? Does it mud up at all when you roll off? Does anyone install a capacitor in this guitar to retain high end when rolling off, or is it cool as is? Seeing as how EVH always got his clean to mean tones with the knob, I'd think it'd be cool, but I gotta ask...

I plan to go play the guitar again tomorrow & am considering throwing down a deposit. All insight & comments appreciated.

[1trussell]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

Model name is Wolfgang Special TR. You could probably get one for a little lower. They don't seem to hold their value well. However, I personally don't think that $600 is a bad price for a mint USA. I've just seen them go for a ittle less.

[TB]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

Wow that was quick... thanks Travis.

[Shawn]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

Flat top black is a USA special. You can get them on the bay all day at $400 to $550. I own a carved top standard in red flame, one of my favorite guitars, and I own quite a few. The standard comes with a tone knob, but I used to own a special, and never missed it , as the guitar gets cleaner when you turn it down.

As far as installation, capacitors, etc.., I have no clue. I am the kind of guy who takes his lawnmower in to get the oil changed, not too handy. (that is, when I used to cut my own lawn).


Good luck.


Shawn

[MountainDog]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

If its a solid black and seems like a year or more old, then its probably a USA Special. I had two, a black (new from dealer for $600) and a white (won at the same time on ebay for $450). I didn't get into the pickups or the neck shape so I sold them. If I remember, for the D-tuna to work, the floyd can't 'float', but has to be in the dive-down only mode like eddie uses. The shift from E to D would affect the string tension if the trem floated, therefore would affect the tuning of the other strings. Anyway, for my tastes a floyd that doesn't float feels like the strings are too stiff for me. The D-tuna has a procedure and a little allen wrench to get it adjusted right (make sure you get the owner's manual that explains this!). It seemed to work OK. On the pickups, some people love them, but I've noticed others here on the forum have the same complaint as me: I have a modeling amp with presets that sound great with a variety of the guitars I have. Using that same preset didn't sound as good with the Wolfie. I'd have to create a special preset just for using that guitar, which wasn't worth it to me. I sold both on ebay for $400 ea with cases.

The tone pot is like $5, the cap like $3, the knob like $3 and labor to drill the extra hole, install, solder shouldn't be more than $20. If you do this, then your guitar could lose some of its 'value' for later sale to some people. You might think of having the tech install a dual concentric pot ($13.50 from allparts.com) and the corresponding concentric stacked knob set ($13 from allparts.com). This way you still only have one hole in the guitar and could change it back to stock again if you ever wanted to sell.

I definitely recommend you going down there again like you said and spending some quality time with it to see if its right for you.

[TB]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

Originally posted by MountainDog:
If I remember, for the D-tuna to work, the floyd can't 'float', but has to be in the dive-down only mode like eddie uses. The shift from E to D would affect the string tension if the trem floated, therefore would affect the tuning of the other strings. Anyway, for my tastes a floyd that doesn't float feels like the strings are too stiff for me.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well there's a consideration I haven't thought of... it's been about 10 years since I've played Floyds, Kahlers, & whatnots... but half the appeal to me with the hot rod wang bar was always the upwardly wanged stuff... I currently play vintage strats w/ 6 screw trem bridges, & I can get them to hold tune pretty well as long as I set them flush to the body & only to go down, no upwards stuff...

Maybe a D-tuna is not the ticket for me after all, & I'd just do better to just have a dedicated dropped down instrument ready to go. hmmmmm, nothing is ever easy...

[Drsracing]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

I loved my wolfgang, It had a pro added tone knob, I could've lived without but whatever. the clean tone was great on my fender half stack and my crate modeling amp. On the 5150 amp you don'that great of a clean tone anyways. The D-tuna rocked for the quick on the fly changes. The only thing I don't like that much is the body, I still prefer a strat body, It was hard for me to go from 1 to another.

[TB]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

Hey guys, thanks for all the helpful info. I wound up being tied up with new guitar students all day & didn't get a chance to make it back to the store that has the guitar... however, based on what you all are saying, the asking price is a bit towards the high side. I think I'll hang loose a bit longer to see if I can score a sweet deal. Still very interested in this guitar... I've been on the lookout for a rocker guitar for the last few months, & I connected with this one better than most I've played during that time... Gotta figure something out fairly quick though, as the show is about to go on the road, & I don't think my beloved strats & their low output p'ups will quite seal the deal for this band's material.

[TB]

Re: A few more Peavey Wolfgang questions...

Originally posted by Shawn:


As far as installation, capacitors, etc.., I have no clue. I am the kind of guy who takes his lawnmower in to get the oil changed, not too handy. (that is, when I used to cut my own lawn).


Good luck.


Shawn

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">LOL, I can relate. I'm thrilled to death every time I successfully assemble a George L's cable. It's time to mow my lawn for the first time of the season, but I think I'll try to talk the Mrs. into doing it.