A legendary piece of rock history is hitting the auction block — and it’s expected to sell for a jaw-dropping price.
A Kramer guitar once owned by Eddie Van Halen, and later played by Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, will headline Sotheby’s Rock & Pop auction on October 24, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. The instrument, modeled after Van Halen’s iconic Frankenstein guitar with its red, black, and white design, is estimated to sell for between $2 million and $3 million.
Van Halen used the guitar extensively during the band’s 1982-1983 Hide Your Sheep Tour, taking it to stages across the world. According to the outlet, the guitar features a personal inscription from the late guitarist to his longtime technician, Rudy Leiren, that reads: “Rude – Its Been a Great Ten Years – Lets Do Another Ten. Eddie Van Halen.”
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After its years on tour with Van Halen, the guitar landed with Mars, who purchased it from Leiren. Mars went on to use it during the recording of Mötley Crüe’s 1989 album Dr. Feelgood. The auction lot includes its original factory case and a letter of authenticity from Mars, in which he wrote: “…Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Also it’s a great piece of history.”
This isn’t the first time a Van Halen guitar has commanded a staggering sum at auction. In 2023, the custom Kramer guitar he played in the “Hot for Teacher” music video sold for $3.9 million.
Sadly, Van Halen died on October 6, 2020 due to complications from throat cancer at 65 years old. His son, Wolf Van Halen broke the news on X at the time with the following statement: “I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning.”
