The iconic guitar Eddie Van Halen rocked out on stage with was called the Frankenstrat. He built it himself by combining parts from different guitars – the body from a Fender Stratocaster, the neck from a Charvel, and a Gibson pickup. He painted it in a rad black, white and red stripe design that made it look totally unique.
Later on, Eddie worked with brands like Peavey and Fender to design his own signature EVH Wolfgang guitars. These shredding machines allowed him to play his fast solos and mean riffs in Van Halen’s epic songs like “Eruption” and “Runnin’ With the Devil.” Even though the Wolfgang models were cool, for many fans it’s still that homemade Frankenstrat ax that first comes to mind when they think “Eddie Van Halen guitar.”
The Heart of Eddie’s Signature Sound
The Frankenstrat was the core of Eddie’s legendary guitar tone and technique. Its unique configuration and Eddie’s customizations unlockeda fat, rich distortion and long sustain that came to define the early Van Halen sound. From the punchy rhythms of classics like “Runnin’ With the Devil” to the soaring harmonics of “Eruption,” the Frankenstrat shaped Eddie’s groundbreaking guitar work.
Much of the magic behind the Frankenstrat was in Eddie’s hands. His pioneering use of techniques like two-handed tapping, dive bombs, and tremolo picking pushed the limits of the guitar. Combined with the Frankenstrat, Eddie’s relentless experimentation and innovation took his playing into bold new territory that inspired countless guitarists to follow.
Custom Built for Eddie’s Style
Eddie assembled the Frankenstrat from spare parts to match his feel and priorities as a player. The slim, fast neck allowed Eddie’s legendary riffs and solos to sing. The custom pickup and stripped-down body enabled the saturated distortion he preferred. He even carved out part of the body for easier access to higher frets. Every modification served Eddie’s aggressive, uninhibited attack.
The fascination with Eddie’s guitars continues today. His later EVH Wolfgang models and other custom builds carry the Frankenstrat’s spirit of innovation. However, it is the iconic red, white, and black original that guitarist will forever associate with the legendary Eddie Van Halen sound.
Beyond the Frankenstrat: Eddie’s Other Key Guitars
While the Frankenstrat was his main axe in early Van Halen days, Eddie went on to play other guitars that also influenced his sound.
- The “Shark” Charvel: Custom built by Grover Jackson in the late 1970s, this guitar featured a slim, fast maple neck that enabled Eddie’s rapid playing. Its Floyd Rose tremolo added his famous dive bombs. The black and white “shark” paint scheme made this another iconic Eddie guitar.
- Kramer “Baretta” Models: As Van Halen’s sound grew bigger in the 80s, Eddie adopted hot-rodded Kramer models like the Baretta Special. These guitars had his favored neck profile and Floyd Rose trem while packing more durable parts to withstand his high-energy stage theatrics.
- Peavey EVH Wolfgang: By the mid 90s, Eddie collaborated with Peavey on his signature Wolfgang. With a sleeker, more ergonomic body shape and improved Floyd Rose, it shows how Eddie continually refined his “holy grail” guitar over decades of shredding.
- EVH Stripe Series: Eddie came full circle in 2012 with the EVH Stripe Series, featuring his iconic Frankenstrat paint job. They say the last guitar you play is closest to your heart. For Eddie, despite dozens of axes, that special red, black and white stripe design he spray painted back in 1977 clearly could never be topped.
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