EDDIE VAN HALEN'S RED, WHITE, AND BLACK CUSTOM-BUILT KRAMER ELECTRIC GUITAR
Eddie Van Halen’s iconic trademark red, white and black striped guitar with abstract design by Van Halen; based on his original “Frankenstein” guitar from 1975 which had combined some of the best elements of Fender and Gibson electric guitars into a single new musical instrument that was not commercially available at the t.mes . Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020) was a self-taught guitarist who reinvented what it.mes ant to be a guitar player, pioneering an entirely new lexicon on his instrument through virtuosity and a variety of electronics.
“It's very simply the best guitar you can buy today.”
In 1982, Eddie Van Halen built this guitar to his own specifications at the Kramer factory using his original Frankenstein guitar as a template. He can be seen working on the guitar with an electric drill in photographs. Van Halen was endlessly striving to create the ultimate guitar for tone, playability and dependability; this Kramer guitar personifies not only Eddie Van Halen innovative playing style but also his passion for design and engineering and was the culmination of Van Halen’s experience and research up to this t.mes .
The guitar featured for the first t.mes a Stratocaster style body with a so-called “hockey stick” style headstock. This design changed the fortunes of the Kramer Guitar company and influenced guitar design worldwide. The guitar was played on tour by Eddie Van Halen in 1982 and 1983 at concerts in the United States and South America with performances in Philadelphia, Caracas, Venezuela; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Extensive photo matching of Van Halen playing the guitar on tour in 1982-83.
Moreover, the guitar is featured in a famous Kramer Guitar advertisement. The lot also includes factory Kramer case. Leiren eventually sold the guitar to Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars who played it extensively while recording the band’s album Dr Feelgood and other recordings.
