EVH & Mad Scottish Axe Murderer II

[Spudmurphy]

Months ago I wrote about meeting Mad Scottish Axe Murderer I (jonny dubai) when I was over there on holiday.

Now for the sequel (cue Hitchcock type musak).
I saw in the for sale sticky an EVH Trans Red Hardtail advertised by fuzzracer. I PM'd and we agreed on a cash deal after I had checked out the serial number and took advice from an "EVH sage" on the forum.

Now stupid ol' me thought he lived in Peterborough (150 miles away) but no - he lived in Perth 450 miles away!

So off I went at 7:00 am yesterday had an hours kip on the way and arrived at his gaff at 5:00 PM with a wad of money. What was going to happen to me as I stepped through the door was I going to be confronted by a mad Scot wearing nothing but wode and having a large blood spattered hatchet??

I was trying to remember some techniques from my 8 years of Karate training, but as I was invited in Dave (fuzzracer) was nothing but the sort.

I only had time for a quick noodle on the EVH, a quick coffee and then it was about turn to drive home.

No way was I going to be able to safely drive all the way back home on the same day, so a quick phone call to a B & B place I have used on business (thanks John for the cash deal on the B & B) and I arrived in Wrexham North Wales at 11:00 pm stayed overnight and got home to Cardiff a little while ago.

In total a trip that was 16 hours 21 minutes of driving (+ rest stops)
886 miles and 15.5 gallons of petrol.

But I now have a fine example of a trans red EVH built 14/01/93.
Sorry guys but I don't have a digi camera at the mo (cause I knelt on it on holiday!!) but I will get some shots posted. In the meantime you can see it here (until moderators housekeeping deletes it).

Big thanks to Fuzzracer for accommodated my changing travel plans. He also accurately explained that the only issues were
- very small ding in the topcoat just underneath the bridge, and some minor buckle rash (2 small scratches) which I have polished out.
There was some crappy stuff on the Pot rear cover that came off with lighter fuel.

It plays like a dream it is resonant and light.
The neck is very similar to my AL BCB I bleeb.
- I'm stoked to get this guitar

[Spudmurphy]

Just in case the post I mentioned above is deleted here are the photos:-







The figuring is "better in the flesh" than in the photos.
Apart from the tiger stripe there is a swirl that goes 90 degrees to it.
- love it love it!!

[andynpeters]

......er........but it's not black ??!!??

[Spudmurphy]

^ ha! yeah fair cop that!

I'll swop it for a black one ?????

[radrock]

dude, is not the Axis Hardtail the most rocking guitar ever? I love mine.

[GWDavis28]

Spud nice hardtail man!!!!

15.5 gallons you got 886 miles out of, WTF??? I'm luck to get 400+ on my 20 gallon Jeep!!

Glenn |B)

[GWDavis28]

Originally Posted by radrock

dude, is not the Axis Hardtail the most rocking guitar ever? I love mine.

But Rad it's an EVH, not an Axis.

Hardtails are the sweetest IMO.

Glenn |B)

[starsky]

Awesome score Spud, a hardtail EVH - wow!

And it's Scottish!

Congrats, I know you've been looking for one for a while. How's it play?

[Spudmurphy]

^
I spent some time polishing out some scratches and then plugged it in.

It plays really nice. - the neck is just great for me and is so similar to my AL.

I think Fuzzracer put new strings on it before he sold it to me.
I'll leave them for now but will re string using my preference.

Before I got it home I took it to my guitar building buddy (Mr Dearnaley of Alien Sex Fiends fame!) and we applied some of his secret unguents to remove the belt scrapes.
It's a good un.

Wish I had my Mesa back with me - but it's around a mates house - he's demolishing some walls - sonically!!!

I've had to put it away before the wife comes in - she doesn't know about it yet

What I like is that it will replace my Les Paul which I haven't got on with since I became infatuated with the EB Gunstock oil necks. The LP will stay with me as it holds so many gigging memories!!

This EVH will be a keeper - along with my AL's. - unless I get an offer I can't refuse!!

[PeteDuBaldo]

Originally Posted by GWDavis28

Spud nice hardtail man!!!!

15.5 gallons you got 886 miles out of, WTF??? I'm luck to get 400+ on my 20 gallon Jeep!!

Glenn |B)

Glenn, those must be imperial gallons...

IMP 1 gallon (gal) = 277 cu in.
US 1 gallon (gal) = 231 cu in.

15.5 IMP gal is roughly equivalent to 18.6 US gal

It's still fantastic fuel economy either way - he's got your Jeep beat and he sure beats my 9mpg Dart!


Oh yeah, nice axe

[Spudmurphy]

Originally Posted by radrock

dude, is not the Axis Hardtail the most rocking guitar ever? I love mine.

Hi Rad - I guess that the EVH is similar to the Axis - same pickups - but the neck is 1/16 smaller at the 12th fret (I think!)

Yes I've fallen in love with mine too. - it's not like I'm a died in the wool EVH fanatic - I do think his playing is very good - it's the guitar I like not the signature on it

[Spudmurphy]

Originally Posted by PeteDuBaldo

Glenn, those must be imperial gallons...

IMP 1 gallon (gal) = 277 cu in.
US 1 gallon (gal) = 231 cu in.

15.5 IMP gal is roughly equivalent to 18.6 US gal

It's still fantastic fuel economy either way - he's got your Jeep beat and he sure beats my 9mpg Dart!


Oh yeah, nice axe

Cheers Pete - man I wouldn't buy a car nowadaze that did less than 50 mpg and the tyres cost no more than $60. Gone are the daze I used to spend big bucks on BFG 50 profile 8.5 x 15's.

It worked out something like 57.3 miles to the gallon = £87 for the trip + £30 B & B costs.

and for you statisticians out there thats an average speed of 55mph going through rush hour traffic both ways!!

[travs]

Spuds, Congrats on a very special h-tail-evh. I really like the flame top red,painted head and hardtail. Great story on the way it was procured.

I bought my first Ducati that way--before the ease and photos of the internet...Drove 6 hours one way with cash and a constant worry that the bike was not a keeper. Nothing sweeter than the ride home knowing you have the "GOODS"

[threeminutesboy]

Hi Spud,

I was lucky to score almost the same as yours few years ago (check my signature for picture)

Definitly a very good guitar, light and resonnant my only regret on this model is the locking tuners but as I don't want to modify It I will keep the original one that are good anyway.

Congrats

[glockaxis]

Congrats Spud, it looks beautiful! I'm currently awaiting delivery of my newly acquired EVH as well.