“A holy grail artifact from the peak of their stadium-rock dominance”: Eddie Van Halen’s old guitar tech and a superfan have helped put together ‘the ultimate Van Halen guitar auction’

A collection of Eddie Van Halen's gear will go under the hammer later this year as part of what's been billed as "the ultimate Van Halen guitar auction".

The auction includes offerings from the virtuoso’s long-time guitar tech, Zeke Clark, and a Van Halen superfan named Nick D’Andrea. The lots are dominated by some choice electric guitars, as well as some weirder picks. In total, they are expected to sell for over one million dollars.

Two Clark-customized 5150 Kramers from 1986 and 1987 headline the auction. The earlier model is described as “a holy grail artifact from the peak of Van Halen’s stadium-rock dominance”.

As per EVH’s preferred shred-ready recipe, they both feature a Floyd Rose trem with a D-Tuna, a sole bridge humbucker, and the famous stripes design. They also feature some of Eddie’s guitar picks from the 5150 tour, and even have a stage-used cigarette lodged beneath the low E string on the headstock.

They were reportedly present throughout the band’s first three albums with Sammy Hagar: 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.

From Eddie’s Ernie Ball era is a Translucent Gold-finished EVH model that was used between 1993 and 2002. It is signed by the Van Halen brothers, former bassist Michael Anthony, and their three vocalists: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, and Gary Cherone.

The guitar sports zebra-style twin ‘buckers, a maple fretboard, and another dive-bomb-friendly Floyd Rose. It's said to be in used condition, given how much Eddie Van Halen relied on it during tour.

Elsewhere, there's also an EVH-branded Wolfgang from 2012, which was presented to D’Andrea to commemorate his 400th time watching the band live. It was signed by the band after Eddie used it on stage.

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As for amps, three Marshall JMP Mk 2 tube amps from 1977, ’87, and ’80-’86, feature, as does the 1960s Sears Silvertone 1465 head and cab, used to record Finish What Ya Started. There’s also a stripes-laden drill that Eddie used to play Poundcake with in the mid-’90s.

Stompbox offerings include a 2004 Jim Dunlop signature Phase 90, a 2006 EVH Flanger, while stage-used picks from 1991-’92 and 1995 tour dates represent another more understated option.

There’s even a pair of Eddie’s sneakers (signed) currently selling for $2,000.

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Away from Eddie’s gear is a Michael Anthony-owned 1988 Aria Pro II Integra bass that made it out on the road with the group, a used Ludwig drum kit, and a mic used by DLR between 2007 and 2008.

The auction is being handled by Backstage Auctions, and runs until August 8.

See Backstage Auctions for more.

Elsewhere, Sammy Hagar has reached out to David Lee Roth in a surprise showing of support following the recent cancellation of his tour, and Steve Vai has championed the quality of Eddie’s library of unreleased music.