New blog post EVH DISCUSSED

[RobW]

ya, great read (as always)

it's cool to have insight like this as to how the business works, and I love how you operate on the handshake agreements - it's too bad more things can't happen that way...

[Mick]

I still care and I thank you very much for this insight view. No wonder there is no 5150 on his new string´s package
Different gauge too. The EB5150 had 015 g-string and a 040 E-string and now it´s all standard gauge.
One or two sentences on the gauges BP? Just for the books why was that?

[GrooveHT]

Thanks for sharing yet more cool stories BP...definately great to have some insight to how the music instrument biz works and how things happen!

[brett8388]

That was great. Thanks BP.

[John C]

Originally Posted by Mick

I still care and I thank you very much for this insight view. No wonder there is no 5150 on his new string´s package
Different gauge too. The EB5150 had 015 g-string and a 040 E-string and now it´s all standard gauge.
One or two sentences on the gauges BP? Just for the books why was that?

I'm not BP but I do have a logical reason - Fender makes two very similar string sets in their "Origianal 150 Nickle Wound" line:

150XL: .009 - .011 - .015 - .024 - .032 - .040

150L: .009 - .011 - .016 - .024 - .032 - .042

Back in the 1970s it was pretty easy to get either set, although the "standard .009" set from every string maker copied the EB Super Slinkys, including the Fender 150L. However I suspect that EVH preferred the Fender 150XL guages so he asked for them in the 5150 set.

BP - sorry for wasting bandwith on the word "Fender" but it seems like it is at least part of an explanation as to why EVH preferred those gauges.

Edited per BP's post - he is right; everyone copied the Super Slinkys. Hey, too cool; I'm using strings that have been around as long as I've been alive!

[Big Poppa]

except for you have the sequence wrong...ALl of the .009 sets are like the super slinky...same since 1962 Fender came out much later with that set to try to catch us

[John C]

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

except for you have the sequence wrong...ALl of the .009 sets are like the super slinky...same since 1962 Fender came out much later with that set to try to catch us

BP - I knew you were first with the .009s; I should have been clearer in my post so I edited it. I didn't mean to imply that Fender was first, just that for whatever reason not only do they sell the Super Slinky guage set but they also have a set with the guages that EVH probably got used to in the 1970s and picked for the 5150s.

At least around here the places that stocked Fender strings sold both sets side-by-side in the 1970s and on up to the middle 1980s; I haven't seen anything but the standard (i.e. Super Slinky) set on the shelves in about 20 years.

[Eilif]

BP, thanks for sharing. I realize that EVH is a touchy subject for you, but I think you know that us knuckleheads appreciate your stories.

If you are open to questions about the development of the EVH guitar, I'm curious to know who's idea it was to go with maple over basswood and to go with a body shape that was such a departure from the stratocaster style that he formerly played.

[Big Poppa]

lets be happy with what I posted

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Nice blog entry!

[travs]

rock lore from the horses mouth. gratzie BP.

[Slingy]

That was a great read, and I'm not even a big VH guy.

[MPM]

Are these the strings being discussed? I bought these sometime in the very late 80s. But they make no mention of Ernie Ball, Could Kramer have repackaged them?

[Big Poppa]

yes those are them

[Axilla]

VINTAGE EB COLLECTIBLES ! ! !