EVH SA‑126 Special QM in Tobacco Sunburst, Open Box, Electric Guitar

Please Note This item is Open Box stock. It is in "As New" condition. Slight spec on the front of the body as photographed, May show signs of handling.

Quick Product Summary

The EVH SA-126 Special QM in Tobacco Sunburst is Wolfgang Van Halen's modern take on the semi-hollow electric guitar, combining chambered construction and an F-hole with the fast neck, jumbo frets and powerful humbuckers normally associated with high-performance solid-body instruments.

Its chambered mahogany body uses a basswood centre block and quilt maple top, creating a guitar that feels lively and resonant without behaving like a traditional full hollow body when gain levels rise. Twin EVH SA-126 humbuckers, developed with pickup designer Tim Shaw, provide the range to move from detailed cleans and articulate rhythm sounds through to saturated modern rock tones.

A graphite-reinforced two-piece mahogany neck, 24.75-inch scale, 12"-16" compound-radius ebony fingerboard and 22 jumbo frets give the SA-126 a distinctly modern playing feel, while the Harmonica bridge and stopbar tailpiece keep the hardware stable and straightforward.

The Tobacco Sunburst quilt maple finish with gold hardware gives this version a premium visual identity, and an EVH SA-126 Ivory Hardshell Case is included.

This particular guitar is offered as Open Box, making it an attractive opportunity for players looking for the full SA-126 specification while considering an alternative to factory-sealed stock.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EVH
Model	SA-126 Special QM
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Condition	Open Box
Body	Chambered mahogany with basswood centre block
Top	Quilt maple
Neck	Two-piece mahogany
Fingerboard	Ebony
Radius	12"-16" compound
Scale Length	24.75"
Pickups	2 x EVH SA-126 humbuckers
Hardware	Gold
Bridge	EVH Harmonica
Case	EVH SA-126 Ivory Hardshell Case included
Main Appeal	Semi-hollow resonance with modern high-performance playability
Best For	Rock, hard rock, alternative, modern high gain, clean work and recording

Open Box Condition Report

Condition: Open Box

This EVH SA-126 Special QM is being sold as Open Box rather than factory-sealed new stock.

No specific cosmetic marks, faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

Open Box guitars are checked by Fair Deal Music before leaving us so that their operation, controls and general playing condition can be assessed before dispatch.

For additional reassurance on a unique Open Box instrument, you're welcome to ask our team about a closer look or video demonstration before ordering.

What's Included?

• EVH SA-126 Special QM in Tobacco Sunburst

• EVH SA-126 Ivory Hardshell Case

• Factory-fitted .009–.046 nickel-plated steel strings

Condition Notes

No individual cosmetic marks or condition issues have been supplied for this Open Box example.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for the listing.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Before leaving Fair Deal Music, this SA-126 is checked for general playing condition and correct operation.

Our assessment includes:

• Neck relief and action

• Fret condition

• Tuning machine operation

• Pickup output and balance

• Three-way pickup selector

• Individual volume controls

• Individual tone controls

• Output socket

• Bridge and tailpiece

• General tuning and intonation

• Overall structural condition

• Visual condition

As with any wooden guitar, setup can move slightly during transport because of changes in temperature and humidity.

Service / Setup Work

The SA-126 is checked and set up to a suitable playing condition before leaving Fair Deal Music.

Its neck relief, action, tuning operation and general playability are assessed before dispatch.

Minor setup movement after delivery can occur as the guitar adjusts to a different temperature and humidity level.

Why Choose The EVH SA-126 Special QM?

Semi-Hollow Character Without Traditional Semi-Hollow Limitations

The SA-126 combines a chambered mahogany body and F-hole with a basswood centre block, giving the guitar additional resonance while maintaining the control needed for substantial levels of overdrive and distortion.

It is a strong choice for players who like the idea of a semi-hollow but do not want to give up modern rock performance.

Quilt Maple Tobacco Sunburst Top

The Tobacco Sunburst version receives a quilt maple top, giving the guitar a more premium visual character than the solid-finish SA-126 models.

Combined with gold hardware and five-ply body binding, it makes this one of the more visually striking versions of Wolfgang Van Halen's signature design.

Custom EVH SA-126 Humbuckers

The neck and bridge humbuckers were developed specifically for the SA-126 platform.

They are designed to handle a particularly wide dynamic and gain range, from clear clean sounds through crunchy rhythm work to saturated modern rock and metal tones.

Compound-Radius Ebony Fingerboard

The 12"-16" compound radius becomes progressively flatter as you move higher up the neck.

That gives chord work a comfortable feel in the lower positions while providing a flatter surface for bends and faster lead playing further up the fingerboard.

Jumbo Frets And Modern Neck Feel

Twenty-two jumbo frets combine with the EVH Modified “C” neck profile to give the SA-126 a noticeably more performance-focused feel than many traditional semi-hollow guitars.

Players moving from modern solid-body electrics should feel far more at home than they might expect from the guitar's F-hole and chambered appearance.

Graphite-Reinforced Mahogany Neck

The two-piece mahogany neck uses graphite reinforcement for additional stability.

A spoke-wheel truss rod adjustment at the body end also makes routine neck-relief adjustments straightforward without removing covers.

EVH SA-126 vs Popular Alternatives

EVH SA-126 vs Traditional ES-335-Style Semi-Hollow

Both use a semi-hollow-inspired body with a centre block, but their playing philosophies are very different.

A traditional ES-335-style guitar tends to prioritise vintage feel and classic humbucker tones. The SA-126 adds a compound-radius ebony board, jumbo frets, graphite reinforcement and higher-output pickups, making it better suited to players who want semi-hollow resonance with modern performance.

EVH SA-126 vs EVH Wolfgang Special

The Wolfgang Special is the more obvious choice if you want a compact solid-body EVH built around aggressive performance and familiar Wolfgang ergonomics.

Choose the SA-126 if you want more acoustic interaction, a larger body, traditional stopbar hardware and a broader crossover between clean, classic and high-gain tones.

EVH SA-126 vs PRS-Style Semi-Hollow Guitars

Modern PRS semi-hollow designs also combine contemporary playability with increased resonance.

The SA-126 distinguishes itself through its EVH Modified “C” neck, jumbo frets, unusual Harmonica bridge, individual pickup controls and pickups designed specifically around Wolfgang Van Halen's high-gain requirements.

EVH SA-126 vs Traditional Hollow-Body Electric

A fully hollow guitar provides substantially more acoustic interaction but can become more difficult to control as volume and gain increase.

The SA-126's centre-block construction makes it considerably more suitable for heavily driven amplifiers and modern stage environments while retaining more body resonance than a conventional solid guitar.

Who Is The EVH SA-126 Special QM For?

The SA-126 is particularly well suited to:

• Rock and hard-rock players

• Alternative guitarists

• Modern high-gain musicians

• Wolfgang Van Halen and Mammoth fans

• Players wanting a modern semi-hollow

• Guitarists who find vintage neck specifications restrictive

• Studio musicians needing clean and high-gain versatility

• Players moving from solid-body performance guitars

• Musicians wanting an alternative to a traditional ES-style guitar

• Guitarists attracted to premium quilt maple finishes

Suitable Genres & Uses

The SA-126 is unusually flexible because its construction and electronics pull in different directions in a useful way.

For clean sounds, the chambered body adds some acoustic interaction while the custom humbuckers retain enough definition for arpeggios, open chords and effects-heavy textures.

With moderate drive, the SA-126 suits alternative, classic rock and heavier blues, allowing chords to retain separation while developing additional harmonic weight.

Move into high-gain rock and metal and the centre block becomes particularly important. It provides the stability and feedback resistance required to take advantage of the higher-output EVH pickups without the guitar behaving like a traditional hollow body.

The fast neck and compound fingerboard also make it equally comfortable for riff-based rhythm playing and technical lead work.

What Makes The SA-126 A Hybrid Semi-Hollow Guitar?

The SA-126 deliberately sits between established guitar categories.

Its chambered mahogany body, F-hole and centre block give it characteristics associated with semi-hollow guitars, but the bolt-on graphite-reinforced neck, compound-radius fingerboard, jumbo frets and higher-output pickups come directly from the world of modern performance guitars.

That makes it particularly relevant to players who have always liked the sound or feel of semi-hollow instruments but found traditional examples too vintage-focused for their technique or musical style.

Rather than simply modernising an existing semi-hollow design, the SA-126 approaches the idea from the opposite direction: it starts with high-performance requirements and adds chambered resonance around them.

Looking for advice on choosing between an EVH SA-126, Wolfgang or another modern rock guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context

The EVH SA-126 was introduced in 2024 as a new design developed around Wolfgang Van Halen's ideas about what a modern electric guitar should offer.

Rather than producing another variation of Eddie Van Halen's established Wolfgang design, Wolfgang developed a guitar with its own identity, blending centre-block semi-hollow construction with specifications more commonly associated with performance-focused solid-body instruments.

The custom SA-126 humbuckers were developed with Tim Shaw and the EVH team, with versatility being a central part of the design brief.

The result is significant within the EVH range because the SA-126 expands the brand beyond its established solid-body formula. It is designed to handle heavy rhythm sounds and fast lead work while providing a different level of resonance and clean response from the more familiar EVH platforms.

The Tobacco Sunburst QM version emphasises the premium side of the design with its quilt maple top and gold hardware.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model	EVH SA-126 Special QM
Series	SA
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst
Orientation	Right-Handed
Number of Strings	6
Body Shape	SA-126
Body Finish	Gloss Urethane
Body Material	Chambered Mahogany
Centre Block	Basswood
Body Top	Quilt Maple
Body Binding	5-Ply
Body Depth	1.75" / 44.5 mm
Neck Material	Two-Piece Mahogany
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Reinforcement	Graphite
Neck Finish	Natural Satin
Neck Profile	EVH Modified “C”
Scale Length	24.75" / 629 mm
Fingerboard	Ebony
Fingerboard Radius	12"-16" Compound
Number of Frets	22
Fret Size	Jumbo
Nut	Graph Tech TUSQ
Nut Width	1.75" / 44.45 mm
Position Inlays	Triple Block
Side Dots	White
Headstock Binding	1-Ply Cream
Bridge Pickup	EVH SA-126 Humbucker
Neck Pickup	EVH SA-126 Humbucker
Pickup Configuration	HH
Neck Controls	Volume, Tone
Bridge Controls	Volume, Tone
Pickup Selector	3-Position Toggle
Bridge	EVH Harmonica
Tailpiece	Stopbar
Tuning Machines	EVH Keystone
Hardware Finish	Gold
Control Knobs	Skirted Black Plastic with Numbered Indicators
Switch Tip	Black
Strap Buttons	Oversized
Factory Strings	Nickel-Plated Steel .009–.046
Case	EVH SA-126 Ivory Hardshell Case Included

Specification Note

Individual guitar weight has not been supplied for this Open Box example.

The exact cosmetic condition beyond its Open Box classification has not been supplied, so no individual marks or wear have been assumed.

If exact weight or a closer inspection of this specific guitar is important to you, speak to our team before ordering.

Compatibility & Recommended Pairings

The EVH SA-126 works particularly well with:

• High-gain valve amplifiers

• EVH 5150 amplifier rigs

• Clean and edge-of-breakup amplifiers

• Overdrive and boost pedals

• Noise gates for heavier setups

• Reverb and delay

• Modulation effects

• Pedal tuner

• Quality instrument cable

• Secure guitar strap

The dedicated EVH SA-126 Ivory Hardshell Case is already included, giving the guitar suitable protection from day one.

Power Requirements

The EVH SA-126 uses passive humbucking pickups, so the guitar requires no battery or external power supply.

Connect it to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard ¼-inch instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The EVH SA-126 Special QM in Tobacco Sunburst is one of the more interesting modern signature guitars because it does not simply repackage an existing design.

Its chambered body gives it a different response from a conventional solid-body EVH, but the compound ebony fingerboard, jumbo frets and powerful SA-126 pickups ensure it still feels completely at home with demanding modern playing.

The quilt maple top, gold hardware and included ivory case also give this version a genuinely premium presentation.

As an Open Box example, it is particularly appealing to players who want this high-spec SA-126 package while considering an alternative to factory-sealed stock.

Best suited for: Modern rock, alternative and high-gain players wanting semi-hollow resonance without sacrificing fast, contemporary playability.

Customers usually upgrade from: Conventional solid-body humbucker guitars, entry-level semi-hollows or lower-spec modern rock instruments.

Most commonly paired with: EVH 5150-style amplification, overdrive or boost, noise gate, delay and reverb.

Our tip: Don't judge the SA-126 purely as a high-gain guitar. Spend time with both pickups through a clean or lightly driven amplifier – the chambered construction makes those lower-gain sounds an important part of what separates it from a conventional EVH solid body.

Showroom feedback: The SA-126 manages to feel modern without simply feeling like another superstrat. The compound board and jumbo frets are immediately familiar to performance-focused players, while the larger chambered body adds a noticeably different physical response.

Ask our team about a video demonstration of this exact Open Box guitar if you'd like a closer look before ordering.

Why Buy Open Box From Fair Deal Music?

An Open Box guitar can be an excellent way to access a desirable instrument while considering an alternative to factory-sealed stock.

At Fair Deal Music, Open Box instruments are checked before leaving us so that their operation and general playing condition can be assessed before dispatch.

You also have access to our experienced team if you need advice about condition, setup, compatibility or whether the guitar is right for your playing style.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Based in Birmingham, our experienced musician-led team can help whether you're choosing a premium modern guitar, comparing EVH models or putting together a complete high-gain rig.

Buying from Fair Deal Music gives you:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, Open Box and pre-owned musical equipment

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• UK delivery options

• Decades of experience supplying musicians

• Help choosing suitable amplifiers, pedals and accessories

• New and pre-owned instrument expertise

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EVH SA-126 a semi-hollow guitar?

It uses a chambered mahogany body with a basswood centre block and F-hole, giving it semi-hollow characteristics while maintaining the stability required for higher-gain playing.

What does QM mean in SA-126 Special QM?

QM refers to the quilt maple top used on the transparent-finish versions of the SA-126 Special.

Can the SA-126 handle modern high-gain sounds?

Yes. High-gain performance was central to the design. Its centre-block construction, custom humbuckers and modern neck specification make it particularly well suited to driven rock and metal tones.

Is the SA-126 only suitable for heavy music?

No. Its custom humbuckers were designed to cover a broad range, and the chambered construction gives clean and lower-gain sounds a character that separates it from a conventional solid-body EVH.

What is the benefit of the 12"-16" compound radius?

The fingerboard is rounder towards the nut and progressively flatter towards the upper frets. This provides comfortable chord work lower down the neck while giving bends and faster lead techniques more room higher up.

Does it have a Floyd Rose tremolo?

No. The SA-126 uses an EVH Harmonica bridge and stopbar tailpiece. It is designed for players who prefer fixed-bridge stability rather than a locking tremolo system.

Does the guitar come with a hard case?

Yes. The dedicated EVH SA-126 Ivory Hardshell Case is included.

What string gauge is fitted from the factory?

EVH specifies .009–.046 nickel-plated steel strings.

Can I use standard guitar pedals with the SA-126?

Yes. Its passive humbuckers work with standard guitar pedals, multi-effects processors, modellers and conventional guitar amplifiers.

Is the neck set or bolt-on?

The SA-126 uses a bolt-on two-piece mahogany neck with graphite reinforcement.

Why does the SA-126 use a centre block?

The centre block increases structural stability and helps control feedback while allowing the surrounding chambers to add resonance and a more lively physical response.

Is this exact guitar factory sealed?

No. This example is being sold as Open Box. No specific cosmetic faults or modifications have been supplied for the listing, and the guitar is checked by Fair Deal Music before dispatch.