A majority of this information is an updated version of the legendary VH links article, originally authored by ‘jimi11580’ in March 2011, and contributed to by other seasoned Van Halen guitar experts of the time. To better understand the complex history of the guitar, this article features a prelude to briefly cover at the major changes throughout it’s life. This page is a collection of all history of the guitar, accepted/established and theorized alike, from its first days in Van Halen’s LA club gigs to its final live show on at Van Halen’s legendary ‘US Festival’ concert.
Neck swaps, pickup swaps, and bridge swaps were common, and sometimes even occured on a day-to-day basis.
Unlike the latter contenders, the Frankenstrat was a true experiment that Ed personally modified and incrementally improved constantly over its 6 year use as his primary guitar, and even beyond its permanent retirement. It is the guitar most associated with Eddie Van Halen through his career, particularly in his early years, only rivaled by the Kramer 5150 and his later ‘Wolfgang’ models. Eddie Van Halen’s primary instrument from 1977 to 1983, known by such common monikers as ‘Frankenstrat’, ‘Frankenstein’, or, simply, ‘Ed’s Baby’, is perhaps the most iconic and valuable electric guitar in modern history.
