1978-79 Van Halen Frankenstrat

Here is an amazing, and incredibly unique guitar...

This guitar comes straight from the collection of a gentleman in Wisconsin who used to be a professional
musician; he stated that he received this guitar directly from Eddie Van Halen in 1984 when with Ed backstage after a concert at Veteran's Memorial Colosseum on July 3rd, 1984.  The previous owner has provided a signed letter detailing how he acquired the guitar (which is included in the sale).

The guitar appears to have been built between 1978-1979, and contains quite a few
characteristics that are great examples of the experimenting Ed was doing on guitars during this period.

The body is ash and is rear loaded; it appears to have an early DiMarzio PAF humbucker pickup (DiMarzio ended up with the patent for double cream bobbins) and is wired to a single Bourne (blue) potentiometer that dates to approx. 1978-79.

One of the most unique features is a 3 way toggle switch that operates as a kill switch when in the middle position, and a boost, or lead switch when in the bridge position. The "tone" knob looks like it's off
of a period Gibson, and allows the neck position
of the toggle to act as a rhythm tone.

The guitar originally had Stratocaster tremolo when built, as evidenced by the bridge pin holes under the current Washburn Wonderbar tremolo on it; the Wonderbar was an experimental bridge with very
limited production around 1983-84, and appears to have been added at that time, before the gentleman acquired the guitar from Ed.

Interestingly, there is some remnant white pinstriping that appears under the Wonderbar trem (in photo) that actually appeared all over the body at one point (the paint has indentations of the original white pinstripe throughout the body) which was presumably removed when Ed was experimenting with stripe patterns and colors.

Lastly, an ingenious feature is the vintage Stratocaster strap button that is used as a string tree, and the "home made" input jack plate.

Two sets of initials and a date appear on the guitar; first "EVH" and "1979" in black marker inside the tremolo cavity. The second set is "EVH" carved into
the neck pocket; The carved initials were recently discovered when a large neck shim adhered to the pocket was removed.

Playability is excellent, neck is full, but fast; the guitar absolutely screams through a Marshall or similar amplifier. 

Historically, the paint colors on this guitar would make it quite significant, as it would potentially be the only remaining early "bumblebee" pattern in existence. 

The guitar will be shipped in a secure, SKB hard case with TSA locks.  Letter of provenance from the original owner is included with the guitar.

Guitar is being sold as-is; offers will be considered.  Free Shipping.