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Vintage white-bodied Kramer Stratocaster-style electric guitar (E 3590) played by Eddie Van Halen at NAMM in Chicago, Illinois, in June 1986, when he joined musicians John Entwistle, Neal Schon, and others at the now legendary after-show Kramer Jam. Included with the guitar is the original Kramer hardshell carrying case and a color glossy 10 x 8 photo of Van Halen playing the offered guitar at the Kramer Jam, with Schon pictured to his left, signed in black felt tip, “Eddie Van Halen” and “To: Dan, Neal Schon.” The guitar is in fine condition, with overall toning to the body, a common issue for guitars of this age; the photo bears bleeding to the Schon signature.
Accompanied by a letter of provenance from noted rock photographer Dan Kristen, who obtained the guitar from a Kramer representative the day after the NAMM jam showcase: ‘A Kramer guitar representative was at the NAMM show Kramer party and brought the guitars that the musicians would be playing that night. The Kramer party was in downtown Chicago and was highlighted when EVH played alongside Neal Schon from Journey. The Kramer rep came into Naperville Music the following day and had the guitar that EVH played in the Kramer Jam the night before. I wound up purchasing that guitar. Another Kramer rep who was also at the jam wound up giving me the picture of EVH playing the guitar while jamming with Schon. I had Edward and Neal sign the picture. I have owned the guitar since 1986.’
Guitar statement: all electronics are in working order. The guitar originally featured two JB Seymour Duncan pickups, with the bridge pickup swapped for an EMG pickup by the owner; the original JBJ Seymour Duncan pickup that Van Halen used with the guitar is in the case pocket with pots and washers, the screw-in tremolo arm, and a small wrench. The Seymour Duncan JBJ pickup is still in the neck position. Both of these pickups were wound by Maricela Juarez, who now heads up the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, and are very desirable on their own.
The body is Stratocaster-style with comfort cutaways and is 25.5-inch scale length. The original German Floyd Rose tremolo system and locking nut are in place, and the original white finish has aged to more of a cream color, which is normal for white guitars almost 40 years old. The neck is a three-piece maple with a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, and the original black 135-degree angle Schaller tuners are in place as is the Allen wrench in its mount on the back of the headstock. The neck plate reads “Kramer, Neptune, NJ, USA,” and is marked with a serial number of “E 3590.”
