EVH Striped Series Circles: Black & White Crop Circle Stripes at an Honest Price
Eddie Van Halen’s visual legacy is as legendary as his tone. The black-and-white striped guitars aren’t just eye candy—they’re symbols of artistic fearlessness. The EVH Striped Series Circles brings that aesthetic to players who don’t want to mortgage a house.
At $699–$799, the Circles is the most accessible entry to EVH’s striped lineup. And unlike some budget guitars that sacrifice tone for cosmetics, this one actually plays and sounds the part.
Hardware & Build Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Solid single-cutaway |
| Body Wood | Basswood |
| Finish | Black/white crop circles, satin polyurethane |
| Neck | Quartersawn maple |
| Fretboard | Rosewood with block inlays |
| Scale Length | 25.5″ |
| Frets | 22 jumbo |
| Pickup | Single EVH pickup (bridge) |
| Bridge | EVH hardtail (fixed) |
| Tuners | Standard machine heads |
| Controls | Volume and tone |
| Weight | ~6.2 lbs |
Tone & Pickup Performance
The single EVH bridge pickup is the real story. It’s designed for aggression—hot output, defined treble, focused midrange. This isn’t a pickup trying to do everything. It knows what it wants: thick, articulate, driven tone.
Basswood is typically associated with budget guitars, but it’s actually neutral tonally. You’re not getting the midrange color of ash or the warmth of mahogany, but you’re also not fighting the wood’s character. What you hear is pure pickup.
Compound radius fretboard (a feature usually reserved for more expensive guitars) means clean bends across the entire range without dead spots or fret buzz.
Who Is It For?
New players who want inspiration from owning an EVH guitar. Working musicians on tour buses who don’t want to risk their premium axes. High-school band kids who want something that looks as cool as it plays. Players in drop tunings who need a single-pickup beast that cuts through a dense mix.
Also ideal for players building a hardtail collection—the fixed bridge means zero setup complexity.
Comparison: Circles vs. Shark vs. Frankenstein
Circles: Single pickup, hardtail, satin finish, crop circle stripes. Most budget-friendly. $699–$799.
Shark: Dual-pickup, iconic shark silhouette, pau ferro fretboard, burgundy/silver stripes. Premium finish. $1,899.
The EVH Striped Series Frankenstein offers a different approach within the same EVH family.
Frankenstein Limited Edition: Tribute to Eddie’s most famous guitar, distressed aged finish, quartersawn maple neck. Limited run. $999–$1,199.
The Circles is the stripped-down essentials version. You get the aesthetic and the playability. The Shark adds luxury touches (ash body, multiple pickups). The Frankenstein is collectible scarcity.
The EVH Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M. offers a different approach within the same EVH family.
First Impressions: Playing the Circles
Grab it and immediately notice: the satin finish doesn’t show fingerprints or dust. Your hands glide without that sticky feeling of high-gloss polyurethane. The crop circles pattern is sharp and consistent—not a sloppy paint job.
Plug in: the single EVH pickup has girth. Not overly bright or dark, just present. Strum open chords and you hear definition. No mud, no harshness.
For a competing option, the Charvel Super-Stock So-Cal Aged Arctic targets a similar player at a comparable price point.
The hardtail bridge is a huge plus. Lock in your tuning, forget about it. No whammy bar means no complications—tune once per gig, move on.
Bends are smooth thanks to the compound radius. Your hand position doesn’t need adjustment between the lower and upper frets.
Shoppers cross-shopping this model should also consider the Jackson Misha Mansoor Juggernaut HT6.
Pricing & Street Value
At $699–$799, this is a no-brainer for players who want EVH legitimacy without the $1,500+ price tag. Street prices often hover around $650–$750 on the used market, so new examples hold value.
It’s the guitar you can throw in a tour bag without losing sleep.
FAQ
Can I add a second pickup to the Circles?
Yes, but it requires routing. The body is routed only for the bridge pickup. A professional luthier can route a neck pickup cavity, but expect $150–$250 in labor. The body wood is basswood, which is soft and forgiving to route.
What’s the difference between the Circles and the Crop Circles pattern?
They’re the same guitar—both use the crop circle stripe pattern (irregular circles in black and white). EVH sometimes uses different naming in different regions, but visually and spec-wise, they’re identical.
Is the single EVH pickup loud enough for a full band mix?
Absolutely. The EVH bridge pickup has an output rating of around 8–9K, which is solidly in the hot range. In a full band mix, especially with heavy gain, it cuts through without needing volume compensation.
What are the tonal differences between rosewood and pau ferro fretboards?
Tonally, very minor. Both offer bright sustain and snappy response. Rosewood (on the Circles) is slightly warmer; pau ferro (on higher-end models) is marginally brighter. The difference is small and won’t affect your tone compared to pickup choice or amp settings.
Pros
- Iconic crop circle stripes at the most affordable price point
- Satin finish is practical and looks pro
- Single EVH pickup cuts through dense mixes with clarity
- Hardtail bridge eliminates setup complexity
- Compound radius fretboard suits modern bending technique
- Light weight (6.2 lbs) reduces shoulder fatigue on longer gigs
- Basswood body is forgiving for future modifications
Cons
- Single pickup limits tonal range compared to dual-pickup models
- Basswood body lacks the character of ash or mahogany
- No whammy bar option (hardtail only)
- Limited color options (crop circles pattern only)
- Standard tuners (not locking) require more frequent checking
Bottom Line
The EVH Striped Series Circles is the smart entry to Eddie’s striped aesthetic. At $699–$799, you get legitimate EVH tone, icon status, and zero maintenance complexity. Perfect for touring musicians, students, and anyone who refuses to compromise on looks or playability.
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