Evh Striped LH RBWS

Evh Striped LH RBWS review

The Evh Striped LH RBWS is a left-handed Eddie Van Halen signature guitar built around a direct control layout and the Wolfgang shape. Its red, black, and white stripes make the instrument immediately recognizable, while the hardware and pickup configuration keep the design focused on performance. Available since June 2018, it is listed at a price of 943. The supplied information does not specify a currency.

The core setup is straightforward: one EVH Wolfgang humbucker, one 500K EVH Bourns low-friction volume control, and an EVH-branded Floyd Rose tremolo fitted with an EVH D-Tuna. There is no tone control or second pickup. That leaves fewer controls to manage and puts the volume knob within easy reach for players who use it to shape dynamics or create volume swells.

Body, neck, and playing feel

The arched body is made from basswood, also known as linden, and the neck and fretboard are maple. The bolt-on neck has a 648 mm scale, equivalent to 25.5 inches, and the fretboard carries black dot inlays. It has 22 jumbo frets and a nut width of 41.3 mm. The product data lists the shape and style as Wolfgang.

One owner describes the body as especially light and the neck as comfortable for fast playing. They found its profile more accommodating for their large, slender fingers than the necks on their Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. The neck's thin satin finish also drew a favorable comment. Those impressions are personal, and hand size and preferred neck shape vary, but they offer useful context for players considering this model without trying it first.

The guitar needed some setup after it came out of the box, according to another owner. That is worth allowing for when buying. A tremolo-equipped guitar can benefit from a proper initial setup, and this model's floating hardware and D-Tuna make setup details relevant to how it feels and performs. The available feedback does not identify a specific fault or describe which adjustments were needed.

Pickup and tremolo performance

The single Wolfgang humbucker is the main tonal voice. Owner feedback characterizes it as precise and cutting, with strong results under distortion. One player connects its sound to the hard rock tones of the 1970s and 1980s, and also reports good results in metal settings. These are listening impressions rather than measured frequency or output data, but they point to a guitar aimed at players who want a forceful bridge-pickup sound rather than a broad range of pickup combinations.

The Floyd Rose tremolo and EVH D-Tuna add expressive options while keeping the setup centered on the instrument's rock and metal use. The owner feedback specifically praises the quality of the Floyd Rose hardware and notes the D-Tuna's usefulness in heavier styles. The D-Tuna is also a practical feature for players who want to switch quickly to a lower tuning on the low string. The package does not include a case or gig bag, although a compatible case is listed separately under item number 177636.

The low-friction volume control received particularly positive feedback. Its smooth action can suit players who use volume swells, sometimes called violin-style swells, or ride the knob to manage gain and dynamics. With only one control, there is little ambiguity about its role. Players who rely on a tone knob or multiple pickup selections will need to decide whether that simplicity fits their approach.

Design and ownership details

The striped finish recalls Eddie Van Halen's well-known Frankenstrat design, and one owner says that visual connection was part of the reason for buying the guitar. The Evh Striped LH RBWS uses the Wolfgang body shape rather than claiming to reproduce every detail of that earlier instrument. Its signature styling is paired with EVH-branded components, including the machine heads and tremolo system.

There is no included case or gig bag, so buyers should account for separate protection if they need to transport the guitar. The sales unit is one piece, and the listed item number is 428300. For left-handed players seeking an Eddie Van Halen signature model, the defining tradeoffs are clear: a single humbucker and volume control keep operation simple, while the tremolo, D-Tuna, and bold finish give the instrument a specific performance identity.

Verdict

The Evh Striped LH RBWS makes its strongest case through its comfortable-feeling maple neck, lightweight basswood body, and distortion-friendly Wolfgang humbucker. Owners praise its sound, hardware, appearance, and volume control, while one notes that it required some setup on arrival. The stripped-back electronics will not suit every player, and the case costs extra, but the configuration is coherent for a left-handed guitarist who wants a fast-playing, single-humbucker instrument with EVH styling and a Floyd Rose tremolo.