EVH Gear continues to cater to guitarists who seek high-performance instruments without the hassle of a Floyd Rose tremolo system. Just a month after introducing the Wolfgang Standard with a TOM-style bridge, the brand now presents the Wolfgang Special TOM, blending performance upgrades with the sleek design that fans of Eddie Van Halen expect.
In many ways, this new model mirrors what we saw in April. The Floyd Rose bridge remains a favorite among shredders for its tuning stability and whammy bar acrobatics, but it’s also known for being time-consuming when tuning between songs. The Wolfgang Special TOM eliminates that concern while delivering enhancements of its own.
Crafted in Fender’s Ensenada Factory in Mexico, the guitar features a fully compensated TOM-style bridge equipped with fine-tuners on the tailpiece—a rare addition that echoes the functionality found on the Gibson BB King Lucille’s TP-6 tailpiece or the recent Jackson Lee Malia LM-87. This innovation is especially useful during live performances, particularly when down-tuning, offering players greater control over pitch without the complexity of a locking tremolo system.
At its core, the Wolfgang Special TOM remains true to Eddie Van Halen’s original blueprint. As EVH explains, “The neck is carved and rolled to Eddie Van Halen’s exacting specifications,” and it comes finished with a hand-rubbed satin urethane on the back. This design promises a fast, smooth, and responsive playing experience.
The electronics are also up to par with EVH’s high standards. It houses a pair of custom-designed EVH Wolfgang Alnico II humbuckers, direct-mounted for added resonance and stability. A high-friction 250K Bourns volume pot enables smooth volume swells, reminiscent of Van Halen’s tone in “Cathedral,” while the low-friction 500K Bourns tone pot provides enough resistance to avoid unintentional adjustments during aggressive playing.
Aesthetically, players have several finishes to choose from: Metallic Oxblood with gold hardware, Gloss Black, and Husk White, both of which come with black hardware. The Oxblood and Gloss Black options feature cream single-ply binding, while the Husk White sports black binding.
Built with a solid arch-topped basswood body, the Wolfgang Special TOM provides enhanced resonance and comfort over the flat-top Standard TOM. The bolt-on baked maple neck and matching fingerboard—complete with dot inlays—further solidify this guitar as a premium choice for serious musicians. Setup is made easier with the truss rod spoke wheel located at the base of the fingerboard.
Consistent with the specifications of Fender’s performance models, this guitar features a 12” to 16” compound radius fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets, ensuring smooth navigation for everything from chords to complex solos.
Retailing at £1,089 / $1,299, the EVH Wolfgang Special TOM is designed to be a classy, reliable shred machine, perfect for players who want high-level performance without compromise.
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