Eddie Van Halen is renowned for his distinctive guitar playing and his use of custom-designed guitars. Some of the guitars associated with him include:
- Frankenstrat (Frankenstein): Perhaps his most iconic guitar, the Frankenstrat was famously pieced together by Van Halen himself. It features a Stratocaster body with a Gibson-style humbucker pickup and a single volume control.
- Wolfgang: Designed by Eddie Van Halen in collaboration with the EVH brand, the Wolfgang series features various models, including the Wolfgang USA, Wolfgang Standard, and Wolfgang Special. These guitars are known for their high-performance features and playability.
- Kramer 5150 Guitar: Named after Van Halen’s iconic studio, the 5150 guitar was designed to his specifications by the EVH brand. It features a distinctive paint job and high-output pickups for Van Halen’s signature sound.
- Steinberger TransTrem: Van Halen experimented with this unique headless guitar, known for its innovative TransTrem vibrato system, during the late 1980s.
- Charvel Guitars: Van Halen has also used various Charvel guitars over the years, including modified models with Floyd Rose tremolo systems and custom paint jobs.
These are just a few examples of the guitars associated with Eddie Van Halen throughout his career. Each instrument contributed to his iconic sound and style, influencing generations of guitarists.
Eddie Van Halen Kramer Guitar
One of the most iconic guitars associated with Eddie Van Halen is the Kramer 5150. This guitar, often referred to simply as the “5150,” was custom-built for Van Halen by Kramer in the early 1980s. It features a distinct red, black, and white striped paint job, which became synonymous with Van Halen’s image.
The Kramer 5150 guitar was heavily modified to meet Van Halen’s preferences and playing style. It features a Stratocaster-style body, a single humbucker pickup in the bridge position, a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system, and a single volume knob. The pickup is a custom-wound Seymour Duncan JB humbucker, which contributed to Van Halen’s signature tone.
The 5150 guitar was prominently featured on Van Halen’s album covers and in music videos, making it one of the most recognizable guitars in rock history. Its distinctive appearance and Van Halen’s legendary performances have cemented its status as an icon of rock guitar.
Eddie Van Halen Wolfgang Guitar
The Wolfgang guitar series is another iconic line associated with Eddie Van Halen. Named after his son, Wolfgang, these guitars were a collaborative effort between Eddie Van Halen and the EVH brand, which he co-founded.
The Wolfgang guitars are known for their high-quality craftsmanship, innovative design features, and exceptional playability. They come in various models, including the Wolfgang Standard, Wolfgang Special, Wolfgang USA, and Wolfgang Stealth.
These guitars typically feature a double-cutaway body shape made from basswood or maple, with a carved top for enhanced comfort and playability. They often have a bolt-on maple neck with a compound radius fretboard, facilitating smooth and effortless fretting across the neck.
One of the standout features of the Wolfgang guitars is the EVH-branded Floyd Rose locking tremolo system, which provides exceptional tuning stability and allows for expressive dive bombs and tremolo effects.
The pickups on Wolfgang guitars are also designed to capture Eddie Van Halen’s legendary tone. They often feature EVH-branded humbuckers, which deliver a powerful, dynamic sound with plenty of clarity and definition.
Overall, the Wolfgang guitar series pays homage to Eddie Van Halen’s legacy as a pioneering guitarist and represents the culmination of his vision for the ultimate electric guitar.
Eddie Van Halen Frankenstein Guitar
The “Frankenstein” guitar is one of the most iconic instruments associated with Eddie Van Halen. It gained its name due to its distinctive appearance, which was the result of Van Halen’s DIY modifications and unconventional approach to guitar building.
The Frankenstein guitar originally started as a stock 1971 Stratocaster body that Van Halen acquired from a second-hand shop. He then proceeded to customize it extensively to suit his playing style and sonic preferences.
Some of the notable modifications to the Frankenstein guitar include:
- Paint Job: Van Halen famously stripped off the original finish of the guitar and painted it with red Schwinn bicycle paint, giving it a unique and eye-catching appearance.
- Pickups: He replaced the stock single-coil pickups with a custom-wound humbucker in the bridge position. This pickup, often referred to as the “Frankenstein pickup,” contributed to Van Halen’s trademark tone, known for its aggressive attack, warmth, and sustain.
- Floyd Rose Tremolo System: Van Halen installed a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system on the Frankenstein guitar, which allowed him to perform extreme dive bombs and other whammy bar tricks while maintaining tuning stability.
- Neck: The original neck on the Frankenstein guitar was from a different guitar, possibly a Charvel or Warmoth neck. It featured a maple fingerboard with jumbo frets and a distinctive “hockey stick” headstock.
- Electronics: Van Halen rewired the guitar’s electronics to include a single volume knob and a three-way toggle switch for pickup selection. This simplified control layout allowed him to focus on his playing without getting distracted by unnecessary knobs and switches.
The Frankenstein guitar became synonymous with Van Halen’s explosive playing style and was featured prominently on many of his most iconic recordings and live performances. It remains one of the most recognizable guitars in rock history and continues to inspire guitarists around the world.