Eddie Van Halen's 1982 iconic Kramer guitar to be auctioned

A 1982 electric guitar used by the late rock legend Eddie Van Halen will be going up for auction in October, New York-based Sotheby’s auction house announced on Tuesday. 

The instrument from the Kramer brand is based upon Van Halen’s original “Frankenstrat” guitar from 1975.  

The musician had visited the Kramer factory in New Jersey to modify his instrument, in the hopes of creating “the ultimate guitar for tone, playability and dependability,” according to Sotheby’s. 

With its black and white spray-painted stripes on a red background, the guitar displays Van Halen’s trademark design (With its black and white spray-painted stripes on a red background, the guitar displays Van Halen’s trademark design)

The name “Frankenstrat” is a contraction between Frankenstein and Stratocaster, a model of electric guitar by Fender. 

The auctioned item bears an inscription from Van Halen to his 1980s guitar technician Rudy Leiren that reads: “Rude - Its Been a Great Ten Years – Lets Do Another Ten. Eddie Van Halen.” 

Leiren eventually sold the instrument to Mötley Crüe guitarist Mick Mars, who played it extensively while recording the band’s album 'Dr Feelgood' and other recordings, the auction house said. 

With its black and white spray-painted stripes on a red background, the guitar displays Van Halen’s most recognisable design.

Five years after Van Halen's death, this is the first of his guitars with this trademark design to ever be auctioned. It is expected to fetch between $2 and $3million. 

Eddie Van Halen, second from right, with bandmates Alex Van Halen, Sammy Hager and Michael Anthony in Los Angeles, 21 April 1988 (Eddie Van Halen, second from right, with bandmates Alex Van Halen, Sammy Hager and Michael Anthony in Los Angeles, 21 April 1988)

Van Halen played the guitar on tour during 1982 and 1983 in the United States and Latin America, according to the auction house. The instrument was also featured in a TV ad for the Kramer company. 

“This guitar is amongst his most iconic and identifiable instruments, encouraging copies from other manufacturers and inspired generations of fans to design their own instruments,” Sotheby's said in a statement.

The guitar bears an inscription from Van Halen to his 1980s guitar technician Rudy Leiren (The guitar bears an inscription from Van Halen to his 1980s guitar technician Rudy Leiren)

Eddie Van Halen died of cancer in 2020.Throughout his five-decade career, he became known as a legendary guitar virtuoso, popularising the tapping technique. 

With his brother Alex, he formed the band Van Halen in the early 1970s, alongside vocalist David Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony. 

Van Halen was also famous for working on the iconic electric guitar solo in Michael Jackson’s 1982 hit song ‘Beat It.’ 

Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 4 in its 2023 list of the 250 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time. 

The lot to be auctioned in October also includes the original Kramer case and a letter of authenticity from former owner Mick Mars where he states: "Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Also it’s a great piece of history.”