Eddie Van Halen’s Kramer Electric Guitar Estimated to Sell for $2-3 Million at Auction 

Fans of Eddie Van Halen will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a historic instrument from the legendary virtuoso guitarist’s collection. The musician’s esteemed 1982 Kramer electric guitar will be on display beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13, through Saturday, August 16, at RM Sotheby’s in Monterey, Calif., before headlining Sotheby’s Rock & Pop auction on October 24, during Grails Week, October 21-28. 

The impending auction represents the first time the instrument has been on view to the public in more than four decades since it was last played by the virtuoso musician in concert. Van Halen’s  1982 Kramer was played with excess during the 1982-83 tours, and gigs in Philadelphia, Caracas, Venezuela, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

The axe was gifted to Van Halen’s longtime friend and guitar technician, Robin “Rudy” Leiren, who later sold it to Mick Mars, former lead guitarist and co-founder of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. Under Mars’ ownership, the musician vessel was used during the recording of the hit Dr. Feelgood album, including the track “Slice of Your Pie,” and other sessions. 

“Eddie Van Halen’s influence on modern guitar playing is immeasurable, and this guitar is a rare piece of that legacy. Played during some of Eddie’s most iconic performances and later used by Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, this instrument connects two giants of heavy metal,” says Ian Ferreyra de Bone, Sotheby’s Managing Director, Luxury Division.

“With its custom build and incredible backstory, it’s a true grail – exactly the kind of piece we had in mind for Sotheby’s first-ever ‘Grails Week’, which shines a spotlight on the most sought-after treasures from music, film, TV, and comics and puts Sotheby’s right at the center of pop culture,” Bone added. 

In addition to Van Halen’s historic instrument, which is estimated to net $2-3 million, other auction highlights include Bob Dylan’s original working lyrics for “Subterranean Homesick Blues” (est. $400,000–600,000), The Rolling Stones’ It’s Only Rock ’n Roll original album cover artwork (est. $100,000–150,000), and a Beatles cymbal used in important 1962–63 performances and recordings, such as “Please Please Me” (est. $100,000–150,000).

Eddie Van Halen’s status as a guitar virtuoso and innovator of the craft informed his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2007. He is widely considered one of the most prolific practitioners, climbing the ranks and holding top spots among his peers when it comes to stacking lists of the very best guitarists. 

View the guitar listing here.