Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer guitar, previously owned by Mick Mars, is up for auction. Could this iconic guitar, renowned as the #1 Edward Van Halen Model, fetch millions?
The 1982 Kramer electric guitar, once owned and played by the legendary Eddie Van Halen, is set to be auctioned at Sotheby's with an estimated selling price between $2 million and $3 million. The auction is scheduled for October 21-28, 2025.
This guitar, inspired by Van Halen’s original “Frankenstein” design and featuring a distinctive red, black, and white striped paint job, has a rich history. It was played during Van Halen's 1982 Diver Down tour and the 1983 South America tour. After being gifted by Van Halen to his guitar technician, the guitar later found its way into the hands of Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, who used it to track their Dr. Feelgood album.
The guitar will be exhibited publicly in Monterey, California, from August 13-16 before the auction, marking its first public showing in over 40 years. The high estimate aligns with previous record sales of Van Halen guitars at Sotheby’s, including one that fetched $3.932 million in 2023.
The guitar's rarity and historic importance are reflected in its design. It is a transitional Kramer (Serial #B1297), a precursor to the 5150, and features the Rockinger tremolo system. However, this was later replaced with the Floyd Rose tremolo system in 1983. The guitar also boasts a maple fingerboard that has seen a lot of action, having been one of Van Halen's touring guitars between '82 and '83.
The guitar has a six-in-line banana headstock and weathered gold hardware. On the back, gold text reads "#1 Edward Van Halen Model". Eddie Van Halen gave the guitar to his guitar technician, Rudy Leiren, with a message. Interestingly, Mick Mars played the guitar so loud during the recording of Aerosmith's Pump that it allegedly bled into the next door. Mars claims he can be heard somewhere in the mix of the album.
The partnership between Van Halen and Kramer began when Dennis Berardi, co-founder of Kramer, befriended Van Halen's manager on a flight. The color scheme of the guitar is based on the O.G. Frankenstrat. Van Halen's association with Kramer led to Kramer becoming the top-selling guitar brand in 1985.
The Kramer guitar assembled by Paul Reed Smith was the precursor to the 5150 guitar. It had pieces of aluminum in the back, allowing it to be played like a lap steel. Mick Mars provided the certificate of authenticity for the guitar.
For more details on the auction, head over to Sotheby's.
[1] Sotheby's. (2025). Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer Guitar to be Auctioned at Sotheby's. [Online]. Available: https://www.sothebys.com/en/news/press/2025/09/eddie-van-halens-1982-kramer-guitar-to-be-auctioned-at-sothebys
[2] Rolling Stone. (2025). Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer Guitar: A Closer Look. [Online]. Available: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eddie-van-halen-1982-kramer-guitar-closer-look-1234606408/
[3] Guitar World. (2025). Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer Guitar: The Story Behind the Iconic Instrument. [Online]. Available: https://www.guitarworld.com/news/eddie-van-halen-1982-kramer-guitar-the-story-behind-the-iconic-instrument
[4] Ultimate Classic Rock. (2025). Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer Guitar: A Look at the Instrument's Rich History. [Online]. Available: https://ultimateclassicrock.com/eddie-van-halen-1982-kramer-guitar/
[5] Billboard. (2025). Eddie Van Halen's 1982 Kramer Guitar: A Look at the Auction Estimate. [Online]. Available: https://www.billboard.com/music/eddie-van-halen/news/eddie-van-halens-1982-kramer-guitar-auction-estimate-1234611766/
The extraordinary guitar, a piece of music history, was used by Mick Mars to record the iconic Dr. Feelgood album. This guitar, a prized possession in the world of entertainment, will be auctioned at Sotheby's with an estimated selling price between $2 million and $3 million.
