Suggestions wanted for new guitar (Van Halen, Nuno)

[Stringtheorist]

So, I have nice arsenal of guitars but there are a couple of bases I can't quite cover. One is the classic VH/Nuno style shred machine which is what I want to buy next, and I am looking for recommendations. I have tried a (used) VH Wolfgang and wasn't blown away by it... Maybe because I didn't get to use it with my own gear but just someone's little practice amp. As for the Nuno signature guitars, besides looking a bit weird I'm not into raw finishes. Love their tone, however.

What else is there in this camp that I should check out?

[dwg115]

Ibanez.com | Electric Guitars | RG3570Z have this professionally setup and you'll be there. Its a bit pricey but the necks on these are so nice. They are a little slim but not as bad as they were in the 80's.

edit: I dont think you can install a D-tuna on this guitar tho but thats only if you use that sort of thing...

[kfliegner]

I'm guessing you've considered a Suhr Modern?

Or perhaps something here tickles your fancy? Mean Street Guitars

[Coldsummer]

Ernie Ball Musicman guitars are great value and top quality. The obvious choice for old school classic EVH would be the Axis which is a superb and versatile guitar. The only downside for me is the Floyd Rose bridge which I detest but that is just a personal thing. Otherwise, the Petrucci signature range, excellent guitars and more versatile than you might think. Or the Steve Morse sig Y2D, or even my personal favourite, the Albert Lee twin humbucker model which absolutely kills most other guitars on the planet but the looks are a bit quirky.

Maybe worth waiting to see what surfaces in the upcoming NAMM show, I know EBMM will be unveiling a couple of radical new designs.

[Stringtheorist]

I have to say I actually like the look of the Albert Lee sigs although I've yet to play the HH model.

[kmanick]

GMW Guitarworks
have Lee Garver make you exactly what you want (It'll be a lot less expensive than you'd think for a custom too)
my GMW is and has been the best playing guitar I've owned for over 10 years now.

[GuitarMan86]

.....Charvel

I have owned a N4 and still have an original Peavey Wolfgang that I use. But, I always love my Charvels for that raw VH tone....the Charvels are my main guitars all day/night.

[jbis]

^^^ what he said

[barhrecords]

.....Charvel

I have owned a N4 and still have an original Peavey Wolfgang that I use. But, I always love my Charvels for that raw VH tone....the Charvels are my main guitars all day/night.

Yep!!!

I also have a Jackson USA Soloist setup with a floating original Floyd and Duncan JB's. Not quite the mayhem of a maple fingerboard Charvel, but the Jackson is really sweet.

[winger]

Again... try a recent Charvel (pro mod series). Great bang for the buck and definitely in the VH ballpark.

[barhrecords]

I got my Charvel used on ebay.

It's a frankenpaul, with an 80's neck, maple board, recent body, floyd, duncan jb's, but a graphite nut vs. locking.

[willowdale]

Charvels, Peavey or EVH Wolfgangs, Musicman Axis!

Or just a nice beat up Strat with a Duncan '78, Dimarzio Super Distortion or Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge!!!

I've got all of these and you can get your "brown on" with any of 'em!

[Sidivan]

I have a Charvel Desolation Soloist that has become my main guitar for gigging. If anything happens to it, it's easily replaceable and the more I gig with it the more I like it. That being said, I did have to have a tech do some finishing work on it (same store I bought it from, so it was free). There were a couple fret ends that needed to be polished as well as the nut corners were super sharp (now rounded off). Dropped a couple alumitones in it and I've got a well playing, versatile, great sounding, and easily replaceable workhorse for under $1k. It's already paid for itself!

[Sixstring]

So, I have nice arsenal of guitars but there are a couple of bases I can't quite cover. One is the classic VH/Nuno style shred machine which is what I want to buy next, and I am looking for recommendations. I have tried a (used) VH Wolfgang and wasn't blown away by it... Maybe because I didn't get to use it with my own gear but just someone's little practice amp. As for the Nuno signature guitars, besides looking a bit weird I'm not into raw finishes. Love their tone, however.

What else is there in this camp that I should check out?

Is there a budget you have to stay within?

I would have to agree with what others have posted with Charvel Guitars. They make a really good no nonsense work horse guitar, load in a Duncan 78 if your going for that early EVH tone. Also pickup a Suhr Rasmus and see if you like that... they do have a model that has a Floyd and for the money it's hard to find a guitar that will compair.

[kelso1]

The Japanese Charvel plant shutdown in 2011. Nuclear Radiation perhaps?

[Rain]

Hi... I have a bunch of Guitars but my favorites are my Jackson USA SL-1 Soloist Holoflake, Ernie Ball JPXI, a 1982 Charvel San Dimas Strat.

[fret]

I have owned a N4

I owned an N4 for a while too. But after a while I realized that it just didn't sound anywhere near as good as my LP so I sold it. Felt great to play, sounded awesome acoustically, but plugged in it was dull and unmusical. I used to love the Bill Laurence pickup in the bridge, going so far as to have one installed in my HSS strat as well, but as my tastes have matured they no longer sound good to me.

Mind you Nuno makes them sing. Maybe his are all "vintage" and have "mojo" lol.

[johna156]

Or you can build your own warmoth superstrat. I did, it cost me about 1300$ (including the luthier's fee for assembling etc).
I chose a strat alder body (no pickguard) with quilt maple top and a birdseye maple neck (banana headstock). Added some nice vintage style tuners, an original made in Germany Floyd rose, an evh d-tuna and a matched pair of BK VHII humbuckers (awesome pickups). 1 volume, 1 tone, 3 way selector and that's it!

[Longhair]

The Japanese Charvel plant shutdown in 2011. Nuclear Radiation perhaps?

I was reading about that a while back. From what I understand is that the company was having problems keeping the lights on before the earthquake - i.e. losing money keeping the doors open. The odd thing is that on the Jackson website, they still have models listed as available that are made in Japan. The reality is that if it is not in currently in stock, then it probably won't be for a long time.

[Strumzilla]

Suhr Modern 1 by Strumzilla, on Flickr

I had to have a frankenstrat of some sort. I started with a Charvel San Dimas which was a really good guitar, but I finally settled on the Suhr Modern. I've been pretty happy although I am eventually going to change the pickups to non active.