When the Peavey – EVH split became known and it was clear the Custom Shop would close, it was a sad day.  I thought, well it was great while it lasted.  An American Made Custom Shop guitar that fit my taste exactly, of great quality at a surprisingly low price was a thing of the past.   Many people who had thought about ordering a Custom Shop Wolfgang were seriously bummed out.  I know because I heard from them.   It was always about the guitars for me.  Having EVH’s name on them and having him associated with them added to the image and brought the Van Halen fans, but it was the art, quality, tone and the way the guitars played, along with the thrill of creating them in your mind and seeing them come alive that was the thing for me.  So I went from sad resignation to hopeful when the word started to leak that the Custom Shop would keep going with a new and maybe even better guitar.  But what would it be?  

They said it would be better, because you could get more options and it would appeal to Wolfgang fans but it wouldn’t be a Wolfgang.  I was skeptical.  What was first important to me is what would be the same?  The same people building them, with the same quality of materials in the same facility with the same mandate to build the best guitar they possibly could.   And the same neck, with similar pick-ups but more versatile.  That meant it would play very similar and sound very similar.  What would be different?  A floating trem for one, although it can be locked down to only go flat very easily.  Actually it comes locked down.  You could never get a floating trem on the Wolfgang. A nice body contour on the back to make it more comfortable to play (I like that).   Pick-ups that are designed to be split and a coil tap (nice).  And a slightly different body shape and headstock.  I think the shape of the Wolfgang is awesome, but I have grown to like the HPS even a little bit better.  Side by side the HP looks better.  I like the slightly pointer top horn that gives the guitar nice lines and makes the new headstock work.  I really didn’t want a Wolfgang clone.  What I wanted was a neck like the Wolfgang, pick-ups that were at least as good and then all the same options and quality.  That is what we got and more.  So I got pretty excited about it.  I got so excited I became a Peavey dealer in December of 2004. 

Why would I do that (become a Peavey dealer)?  I have more than a full time job and I couldn’t possibly make enough money at this to make it financially appealing.  All I can say is I love the guitars and I enjoy working with the people at Peavey.  I also enjoy conversing with people who share my passion.  I have stopped asking why I do it, I just am!  

What I plan to do is photograph all the HP guitars that pass through me and put them on the site.  I will soon have a new site for this called Rock and Roll Weekend (www.rocknrollweekend.com)  Right now it points to the Wolfgang site.  Until I do, they will be on this page. 

Here is a link to the news announcement on the Peavey site: Peavey HP Special News

Here is a link to a review I did of the first HP Special delivered:  HP Special Review

Here is a link to the pricing of the Production Models from the January 2006 Peavey guide:  HPS Production Model Prices

Here is a link to the pick-up specifications and the operation of the controls:  HP Special Pick-ups and Controls

Here is a link to an interview I did with Tony Pasko of Peavey on April 4th 2005.  Tony is the product manager for all guitars and amps at Peavey:  Tony Pasko Interview.

Here is a picture of Peavey's unique and proprietary trem stop mechanism.  There is a small opening in the back of the guitar where you can easily loosen the two screws and slide the bracket forward to make the trem fully floating.  Click for larger image.

UPDATE - 01/19/06 - I went to the first day of NAMM this morning.  I Spent some quality time at the Peavey booth talking to Tony, Tim and Lanee.  I wasn't expecting to see 16 HP Specials right out front with new graphics for advertising, with price lists, etc.  (See pictures below)  They do appear truly ready to go with these guitars.  I bought all 16 of their NAMM HP Special guitars. Peavey did lower the pricing on the HP production models and distinguish between Custom Shop and production models (see link above).  The tremolo now comes locked down so it doesn't float but you can access the bracket that controls this directly from the back and very easily make it floating.  Originally the arch top controls were going to be recessed and now that is only going to be a Custom Shop option.  There will be 7 standard colors for production guitars.  Maple tops will be flame.  Cherryburst, Tobacco burst, Amber, Red and moonburst for the flames.  The solid colors are gold and black.  They will have no maple top.  A quilt top will only be available through the Custom Shop.  The headstocks on production guitars will match in color but not the wood.  There will no veneer on them.  That will only be a Custom Shop option.   They have an EXP model on their price list with a list price of $599.  I wish they wouldn't do that but oh well.........  The whole "HP Special" name is already confusing since it is a different guitar than their other HP's..  You can contact me at: knappg@att.net

UPDATE - 01/29/06 - I only have 4 of the 16 NAMM HP Specials left to sell.  They are all nice.  There isn't a clinker in the bunch.  I have a couple dozen more Custom Shop HPS's that I ordered a year ago that I am hopeful will begin showing up soon along with all the guitars people ordered through me.  This guitar has exceed my expectations and if the word gets out how great it is getting a custom shop HPS is going to be a pretty good wait.  Once things smooth out on getting these delivered I will begin taking orders again.  I hope to have my new site up soon (RockNRollWeekend.com). 

"THE BUMBLE"

Bumble Bee Flame - In progress.