Eddie Van Halen’s Iconic 1982 Kramer Guitar Heading To Auction For The First Time

Eddie Van Halen’s iconic 1982 Kramer guitar, modeled after his famous “Frankenstein” design, is heading to auction for the first time this October through Sotheby’s, with an expected sale price of $2-3 million. Played during Van Halen’s 1982-83 tours and featured in a memorable Kramer TV commercial, the guitar was later gifted to Eddie’s guitar tech, Robin “Rudy” Leiren, with the guitar sporting a personal inscription to Leiren. The instrument was subsequently owned by Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, who used it on the band’s chart-topping 1989 album, Dr. Feelgood, though the current owner is unknown and has requested anonymity. Ahead of the auction, the guitar will be on display in Monterey, California, with Sotheby’s claiming it will be “the first time the guitar has appeared on public view in 40 years.” The upcoming sale reflects a rising market for Van Halen’s memorabilia, highlighted by the late guitar legend’s original “Frankenstrat” fetching $3.9 million in 2023. (Rolling Stone)