Both axes are projected to sell from $40,000-$80,000 apiece.
Eddie Van Halen, the late guitarist who dazzled rock fans with his acrobatic skills, has two guitars heading for the auction stage.
On Monday, Julien's Auctions announced the annual event Icons & Idols Trilogy: Rock and Roll auction will feature two instruments played and partially created by the guitar virtuoso, who passed away earlier this month from throat cancer at the age of 65. Each guitar is projected to sell for $40,000 to $80,000 apiece, so fans wanting to own a piece of music history will be facing a hefty price-tag!
Both custom-designed, the guitars echo the ones played on Van Halen's 1978 debut and feature hand-striping done by the musician himself. The first is a 2004 EVH Charvel Art Series electric guitar with a bold black-and-white stripe pattern, while the second showcases a red body with abstract white and black striping. The latter instrument was designed at his home studio in L.A. with guitar tech Matt Bruck and later gifted to a friend.
According to the website, the guitars were being prepared for the auction prior to the musician's death.
EDDIE VAN HALEN's Two Iconic Guitars Headline Julien's Auctions' 'Icons & Idols: Rock 'N' Roll' https://t.co/lJz3YEva9A pic.twitter.com/o6PCk5DMwo
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“As we were preparing for our annual Icons & Idols: Rock and Roll auction lineup, we were stunned to hear the sad news of Eddie Van Halen’s passing last week,” said President/Chief Executive Officer of Julien’s Auctions Darren Julien in a press release. “We are honored to include at this event two iconic guitars from his brilliant and blazing career as one of rock’s greatest and most gifted guitar heroes."
Formed in Pasadena, California, Van Halen's original lineup consisted of singer David Lee Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen with brother Alex Van Halen on drums, and bassist Michael Anthony. Since hitting the scene in the 1970s, the hard rock band has sold 80 million records globally and received a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2007.
Other memorabilia on the roster includes a cocktail dress worn by Madonna for the Who's That Girl premiere and a Fender Stratocaster played by Kurt Cobain on Nirvana's 1994 In Utero Tour.
The auction will be held December 4-5 online. Music fans can find out more here.
Any Van Halen fans around here psyched for this news? Have a favorite Van Halen song or album? Tell us in the comments!