Eddie Van Halen’s iconic 1982 Kramer guitar will go up for auction this October at Sotheby’s New York, with an estimated sale price of $2-3 million. Rolling Stone reported this development.
Ian Ferreyra de Bone, Sotheby’s Managing Director of the Luxury Division recently emphasized the guitar’s significance and its connection to rock history.
“Eddie Van Halen’s influence on modern guitar playing is immeasurable, and this guitar is a rare piece of that legacy,” he said.
“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.”
The auction is part of Sotheby’s inaugural “Grails Week,” which showcases highly sought-after collectibles from entertainment and pop culture.
“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,” Ferreyra de Bone continued.
The guitar has a unique history, having been played by both Van Halen and Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, which makes it an important piece of heavy metal heritage.
Its journey from Van Halen to Mars tells a compelling story of rock and roll camaraderie and craftsmanship that spans decades.
Eddie Van Halen originally gifted the guitar to his longtime guitar technician Rudy Leiren, who later sold it to Mars. The guitar features a personal inscription from Eddie to Rudy that reads: “Rude – Its Been a Great Ten Years – Lets Do Another Ten. Eddie Van Halen.”
