It’s not an official endorsement, so the firm is not completely specific about the model it’s based on. However, given the Eruption tag, it’s probably safe to assume it’s based on the Gibson PAF-like humbucker found in Van Halen’s Frankenstein guitar, or perhaps the later Seymour Duncan swap.
The pickup does have some serious Van Halen credentials, however, having been designed by Jim DeCola. In a past life, Gibson’s Master Luthier worked directly with Eddie Van Halen on the development of his Peavey Wolfgangsignature guitar, so we’d wager DeCola will have brought some considerable insight to the table.
We know Van Halen changed the pickup on the Frankenstein numerous times, so this is more likely a general channeling of the sound, rather than a direct emulation of one unit. Kramer’s take uses Alnico V magnets and four wire leads, for coil-splitting purposes.
Described as “aggressively hot for screaming leads and rowdy rhythm parts” the Eruption is available in Zebra and Double Black finishes with 15K and 16K output options and comes with short leg baseplates to ensure it can fit your usual humbucker routing.
“Inspired by the sound of the hard rock and metal bands of the 1980s,” says the press release, “the Kramer Eruption is a high-output humbucker pickup with all of the Made to Rock Hard tone an attitude you expect from Kramer.”
Kramer has it’s own credentials when it comes to Van Halen, too. Eddie leant on a variety of Kramers following the Frankenstrat’s retirement and developed and built several instruments with the firm.
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Matt is Features Editor for GuitarWorld.com. Before that he spent 10 years as a freelance music journalist, interviewing artists for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.