Wolfgang Van Halen and EVH have announced the launch of a signature model guitar dubbed the SA-126. The instrument will be available beginning in May.
EVH is the company started in 2005 by Wolfgang’s late father, Eddie Van Halen, in collaboration with Fender. While Wolfgang is carrying on the legacy of his legendary dad, he sought out to create a guitar that was very much his own.
“The SA-126 was born out of necessity for finding my own sound,” said Wolfgang in a press release. “I wanted to do my own thing and that’s how I gravitated towards semi-hollow bodies and how it became my core sound. The goal was to put together a guitar that didn’t exist yet, which merged the beauty and wonderful warm tones of a classic semi-hollow guitar but with the performance style and neck that EVH gear is known for.”
Wolfgang developed the SA-126 over a three-year period with Matt Bruck and EVH’s Masterbuilder Chip Ellis. For the past couple of years, he’s been road testing the instrument on tour with his band Mammoth WVH.
The guitar will be available as the SA-126 Special with a mahogany body capped with a maple top in Matte Army Drab and Stealth Black versions at a retail price of $1,799.99. It will also come in the SA-126 Special, Quilted Maple edition in Transparent Purple and Tobacco Sunburst versions at the cost of $1,899.99.
A description of the SA-126 Special guitar reads as follows:
“Featuring a chambered Mahogany body, with a basswood Centerblock added for stability and tone. Capped with a maple top on solid finishes and flame maple top on translucent finishes w/ 5 ply body binding, this thing emits ‘TONE.’ The neck is a 22 fret 12”-16” compound Ebony fingerboard with jumbo frets and triple block inlays on a graphite reinforced mahogany neck. With a scale length of 24 and three quarters, this feels like a modern – classic that is familiar and comfortable. Finally, a spoke wheel truss rod adjustment at the butt end of the neck for easy adjustments, on the fly. Introducing the EVH® SA-126 bridge and neck pickups created by Fender’s resident pickup designer Tim Shaw and the EVH team, they can handle just about anything you feed them. From the elegant sound of cascading-glassy cleans to a heavy bath of Overdrive to “Burn” that will satisfy the most discerning ‘gainiac.’ Three-way toggle at the upper horn to switch between bridge, bridge and neck, and neck pickups as well as two volumes and two tones to control each. Other features include a Harmonica bridge and stop bar tailpiece, oversized strap buttons, and keystone tuning pegs.”
The Quilted Maple edition has the same specs as above, except that it’s capped with a quilted maple top. An introductory video featuring Wolfgang and a gallery of images can be seen below. Those interested in purchasing the guitar can sign up here to learn exactly when it will be available at retailers.
The announcement of the SA-126 comes a couple days after Wolfgang rocked an EVH guitar during Mammoth WVH’s performance of “I’m Alright” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (also see below), and a few weeks before they kick off a headlining US tour on February 21st. The band also will be opening for Metallica and Foo Fighters at various shows this year. Tickets to Mammoth WVH’s upcoming concerts are available here.
Product Gallery – Wolfgang Van Halen Signature Model EVH SA-126 Guitar (click to expand and scroll through):