Q and A with Eddie Van Halen
The rock guitarist talks about his custom-made Frankenstein 2 that is now in the collections of the American History museum
- By Beth Py-Lieberman
- Smithsonian magazine, June 2011, Subscribe
Recently, guitarist Eddie Van Halen donated his guitar, the Frank 2, to the National Museum of American History. Smithsonian corresponded with him via email about his decision to give up his cherished guitar.
“Eruption” is widely regarded as one of the greatest-if not the greatest-guitar solos ever. What’s the best guitar solo you ever heard performed by another musician?
There are so many, it’s difficult to pinpoint it down to one.
You’ve collaborated on projects with a number of musicians over the years, including Brian May, Geezer Butler, and Thomas Dolby. Do any collaborations stand out as your favorite?
Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” is a stand out for me. Quincy Jones called me up and asked me to play on it. When I got there it took me 15 minutes to rearrange the song and I played 2 solos and told them they could pick the one they liked best. Then Michael walked in and said wow! I really like that high fast stuff you do. It was a lot of fun to do. Its crazy that something could take such a short amount of time and can grow into something beyond anything you could ever imagine.
You patented a “musical instrument support.” What is that?
That patent came out of a technique I used when playing the guitar’s fingerboard: laying it flat, using both of my hands at the same time. To do this I needed the fingerboard to face upward like the keyboard of a piano. The device I patented enabled me to do that. It also comes in very handy for lap steel players.
You donated Frankenstein 2 to the Smithsonian, but tell us about the original Frankenstein.
The original Frankenstein was a result of me tinkering and experimenting with different elements of electric guitars that I liked. The thing was that some guitars had elements that I liked, but at the same time had certain elements that I didn’t care for either. If I could combine those elements into one guitar, then I could have an instrument that enabled me to create and play what I heard in my head without any restrictions.
You’ve said that you hated “store-bought, off-the-rack” guitars, because they would not do what you wanted them to do. What did you want from your guitar?
I wanted the electronics (humbucking pickups) of one manufacturers guitar, while I preferred the body, neck and tailpiece of another manufacturers guitar.
And how did you achieve that?
I combined the 4 elements into Frankenstein, which resulted in a guitar that did what I wanted it to do, more than anything I had ever played before. In addition, I created an instrument that wasn’t offered as an “off the rack” guitar by any manufacturer at the time.
What became of Frankenstein 1?
I retired it from regular use. It took so much abuse from endless touring and recording; I wanted to pay some respect to it and let it survive and not let it get destroyed completely. At the same time it became something so well known beyond my wildest dreams that it’s value made it a target for theft and I wanted to protect it. I still play it every now and then. It’s priceless to me.
What did you think of Frankenstein 2, the first time you played it?
I was blown away. We did a blindfold test and it took me a while to figure out which one was the original and which one was Frank 2. The aesthetic accuracy was astounding.
And how did the Replica Frank 2 compare to the original?
From a playability stand point Frank 2 was actually easier to play and fought me less than the original. Frank 1 was something I built around 1975, so it reflected my experience in building guitars at that time.
How could you part with it?
What better home for it than the Smithsonian Institution where it could be on display for the rest of time so others can appreciate it. It’s the highest honor I could imagine for something so dear to me.
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Comments (40)
I think you're a good Musician Eddie It would be a pleasure to meet you sometime That would be great Next time you come to Portland.
Posted by Melissa Williams on February 3,2013 | 08:37 PM
sorry Eddie
Posted by on October 10,2012 | 11:57 PM
desparately seeking roth?
Posted by on October 10,2012 | 11:51 PM
Mister Eddy van Halen, When do you coming to Holland in the GOFFERTPARK Nijmegen. Thats all. Greetings Henk
Posted by Henk Mahulete on August 31,2012 | 05:01 AM
all said in the subject line.
Posted by take responibilyity for once on July 27,2012 | 10:37 PM
Eddie Van Halen is the best rock guitarist since Hendrix without debate. I hope to see him again one day soon. Keep making music Eddie.
Posted by David S. on March 14,2012 | 04:40 PM
Dear Mr. Van Halen, the "GREATEST" Charvel guitar player of all time!!! You have been my inspiration for learning guitar and my favorite is my Charvel!!! You are probably the "ONLY" person on this planet that can help me out with this!!! I bought my custom made Charvel Strat, a one of a kind, from Guitar Center in SF in 1981!!! It has a serial number of 1300!!!!!! Yours was 1398!!!!!! So mine was made just before yours, and it was designed by you!!! It was signed (in the body under the pick guard) by the guy who made it at Charvel!!! I believe this was your original design and made by the same person who made yours!!! But I'm not 100% sure, however, it seems logical? It's still in "MINT" condition and blows away any other guitar I've heard!!! I really could use your help in identifying this axe. It's completely original and candy apple red. I found your 1982 Charvel at some custom shop in LA!!! The last I talked to him he wanted $150,000 for it and this was a few years ago!!! Anyhow, glad to hear you are working with Charvel again and "Rock on Brother!!!" Ken...
Posted by Ken Vogel on July 23,2011 | 11:45 PM
There would be no Randy Rhodes if it wasn't for EVH! Period.
Posted by chris on July 20,2011 | 09:18 PM
So happy to see EVH receive such an outstanding (and most deserved!) honor! Ed, I hope you're healthy now, and can't wait to see you and the band back on the road! The last tour was amazing!!!
Posted by Mark Irwin on June 1,2011 | 03:19 PM
I could name a different solo that was performed by a great musician that blows your solo outa the water.Tribute to Randy Rhoads,Randy's solo after Suicide Solution done completely live no studio.
Have a listen Ed open your mind and free yourself.
Posted by jayou812 on May 31,2011 | 07:51 AM
Eddie, I saw you and the boys in 1979, I was at the front of the stage you were maybe 4 feet in front of me, I caught one of you custom picks you threw out. Your the one who made me want to play faster and harder. Your guitar work is the greatest. You are a revolutionary just like Hendrix.You change the way the guitar is played.
Posted by Paul Neilson on May 30,2011 | 11:15 PM
Ed, Keegs once told me you are (or were) using my little wooden Yamaha G5 amp for warm ups. That little thing was awesome for blues. Hope you love it like I did.
Since you got my amp, I'll tell you that Keegs let me play your prime axe before a stadium gig in MA around 97 or 98. Couldn't believe all the schmutz on the fingerboard :) Give Keegs a shout. Stay well!
Posted by Dean on May 28,2011 | 12:49 AM
Yo Ed,
Class move with Frank 2. Agreed what better place for it. When ya comin back to Philly?? Missed it last time. Won't miss again.
Posted by Steve Van Allen on May 28,2011 | 06:35 PM
Hey Ed, I can't wait for the new upcoming album. How amazing that it will be the first written with Dave since you guys recorded 1984. The Mighty Van Halen is back and ready to take their throne once more. By the way if you ever need an opening band, I have a project I'm working on and I'm calling the group Big Yesterday. Our sound is an old VH/Thin Lizzy timbre. Along with years of theory, I have gone after your brown sound tone for years and thnk it is amazing. Hope to hear some new material soon brother.
Johnny Cotter
Posted by Johnny Cotter on May 28,2011 | 11:34 AM
Eddie RU or your family attending the 22nd Annual Holland Festival Sunday May 29th @ Gemmrig Park Long Beach?
Posted by J.R. de Veer on May 28,2011 | 08:49 AM
Soooo many of us rockers are envious of you Eddie. Which is why you're hearing these derogatory remarks. We all know there's always somebody 'better than you', to someone else!
I'm glad that Frankie II is gonna be preserved for prospective guitarists to be inspired by when they see it in the Smithsonian. And-I'm glad I met you once, a long time ago, and played no.1 for a bit.
Posted by S.Opins on May 27,2011 | 10:03 PM
I wish he was actually holding Frank 1
Posted by Dave on May 27,2011 | 08:19 AM
Hi Ed,
if you read this I can't wait for you to tour Australia. I've been waiting 30 years for this, got my ticket this morning. See you in October.
Cheers
Posted by Mark Ab on May 27,2011 | 07:09 AM
What an interesting interview...
Frank 2 stands in no way for Ed! If they put a EVH guitar to a musium than they should take the black-white/red-white striped Noname-Strat. Not this ugly "Wolfgang" guitar - that thing stands for the downfall of Van Halen.
Posted by Warded on May 27,2011 | 06:33 AM
Eddie could you tell us the stories about the Shark Guitar and the Bumblebee Guitar that was buried with Dimebag there is literally no info on the web about the bumblebee. And as you said in 2007 you hassled with that guitar like no other tell us the story about that and what lead you back to frankie.
Posted by Ryan E. on May 27,2011 | 05:24 AM
Great thing to put a piece of art this famous there were it continues to tell a (his) story. Hope to see you back soon in the Netherlands, or at least near to Europe! M
Posted by Marc from Holland on May 27,2011 | 04:54 AM
Amazing how people with zero talent make disparaging remarks about EVH. He was ground breaking. Had to be there.
Posted by John Villec on May 26,2011 | 02:10 AM
Saw you guys twice in Chicago on the 2007 tour, Man you guys wailed!!!! Your unique sound is what distinguishes you and all the other great rock bands.
Posted by Ted Danielak on May 26,2011 | 12:40 AM
Rock on Mr Ed!! You're a champion and we luv ya!!
Posted by PJM on May 26,2011 | 10:15 PM
i have been a long time fan.when i hear a van halen song i still get goosebumps.you have the most unigue,intricate & lively sounds of any guitarist i have ever heard.p.s. do you give private guitar lessons?lol
Posted by dave burkholder on May 26,2011 | 10:08 PM
The Smithsonian is a great place for such a vintage piece of perfection
Posted by christy on May 26,2011 | 09:32 PM
i dont know were to start.. just the name EDDIE VAN HALEN GIVES ME SUCH EXCITEMENT..IVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE SMITHSONIAN SOOO MANY TIMES BUT NEVER DID..THIS GIVES ME THE REASON TO.ANYTHING JUST TO BE NEXT TO AN EDDIE VAN HALEN.. HE IS THE #1 THE ONLY THAT GUITAR GOD!!!
Posted by absoluteJOY on May 26,2011 | 09:05 PM
Manufacturers were putting pickups into paraffin wax before Eddie. That and the lockdown bar (locking nut tremolo) were not at all his ideas. A guy named Floyd Rose came up with the locking nut tremolo. Eddie was still from another planet compared to any guitarist before and remains one of my favorites.
Posted by Art on May 26,2011 | 09:03 PM
When one legend (and fellow Smithsonian contributor) is no longer with us, accounts by the other can naturally be a little self-serving. It's... "Human Nature". With regard to the "Beat It" record, Jones (as main producer on the "Thriller" LP) encouraged Jackson to write a song in the vein of "My Sharona". Jackson, only 22, affected by the plight of children even back then. When he wrote "Beat It," based on real gang violence stories, Jones admits he was blown away by the sonic, raw energy of what he expected would be a R&B song. It no longer was. "Beat It" by Jackson was a rocker, so it called for a rock instrumental solo. Jones AND JACKSON decided on Van Halen; Jones called him. YES, the solo was 100% Eddie and he has every reason to be proud of it. But, the song structure, the incredibly-charged lyric/tempo/song demo was 100% Jackson. (Very little Jones, in fact. If one listens to the demos for Billie Jean and We Are The World, it will surprise even the most objective listener how "near-final" Jackson's self-produced demos re. instrumentation & arrangement. "Billie Jean," for instance, was driven by a bass line Jackson came up with himself while driving down Encino's Ventura Boulevard; the demo is straight-up a raw version of the Jones/Jackson final on the "Thriller" LP.)... Back to Van Halen: remarkable talent and it's great to see him get the recognition he deserves by the Smithsonian. The guitar solo on "Beat It" was and is his. BUT, it surely would not have been if not for the direction in place from Jackson (more than Jones, who increasingly takes more credit for Jackson's success after Jackson's passing). Jackson's artistry and sheer all-around-involvement in his compositions is unparalleled, as other guitar marvels like Slash repeatedly testify to even today. Jackson, ironically, was too talented in too many facets of entertainment (fr song to dance to short films to concert productions) to receive the songwriting&instrumentation credit he deserved.
Posted by Dias on May 26,2011 | 01:15 PM
Eddie Van Halen is a TRUE genious. I hope he still tours, so that I may be able to share his gift with my children,live.(they already love the albums). Good Luck & God Speed To E.V.H. Long Live The King!!!!!! Philly Rocks!!!
Posted by Carl on May 26,2011 | 10:16 AM
Right on. Great interview. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Bogues on May 25,2011 | 11:41 AM
Eddie, please make more music that we all can enjoy. I can't get enough of your feel good guitar licks. (smiles) Forget about having a lead singer, I just want to hear you play!
P.S. I tried to learn to play 316 myself, but finally gave up. Please play your guitar for me...
Posted by Lee Golden on May 24,2011 | 09:01 PM
Not much of an interview for sure. How about asking some questions that haven't been asked a thousand times before?
Posted by Micheal on May 24,2011 | 08:18 PM
EVH = overrated, has-been. No new album since 1998? He's been almost inactive as Steve Perry has been.
Posted by craig on May 24,2011 | 01:38 PM
Ed, you know you're loved and respected. The last really solid effort was in 1988, so please, don't let us down with this "new" album.
Posted by Vincent on May 24,2011 | 01:30 PM
You are the best!!!!
Cant wait to hear new music and to you live again (18 times)
Stay healthy
I really dont think people realize how you single handed redefined Rock n Roll
Posted by mike 5150 hunt on May 24,2011 | 01:19 PM
Beth never thought of asking about the progress of the new album???
Everything here we've heard before.
Posted by Jeffrey Lebowski on May 24,2011 | 01:06 PM
Eddie, stay healthy and get your smile back. You are original and unique and many people still love you. Come to Chicago soon.
Posted by Matthew on May 22,2011 | 02:24 PM
His idea of putting the pickups into parafin (sp?) wax was ingenious. Not sure how much he had to do with the lockdown bar but he sure forced the manufacturers to improve the design. I saw him live not long ago and couldn't believe how many tricks it takes to play just one song. I hope he could at least put Frank1 on display briefly as a loaner or something. I would volunteer to guard it!
Posted by Doug Mintz on May 19,2011 | 08:50 PM
Eddie will you ever play solo or jam again? Will never ever see another Eddie Van Halen ever ever again. Some of todays music all sounds the same and some times I can't tell the difference. Hope maybe to hear you soon
Posted by JAMES REYES on May 18,2011 | 05:51 PM