@BJB I haven't shed any tears.. but i miss that guy. It's like a part of my childhood is gone, or something? I sorta feel guilty that I find his words and his commission more meaningful now that he's gone.
@BJB yep. Music has become a parody of itself, ever since kurt cobain hit the scene. but people misunderstood what he was saying, and now it's even worse than anyone ever thought it could be. Kurt, "although his sound is an acquired taste" could still play guitar, as well as a few others of that time ie. Billy corgan. they may not have been the best, but by comparison today , main stream music is virtually talentless. Music sucks so bad today, that I am forced to listen to bands that for their time, were not taken seriously ie loverboy and night ranger , because even though their songs are cheesy, they still had good guitar riffs and solos. That's how desperate I've become. I hope eddie's death brings back real talent. Even rap is a parody of itself, as well as country. I once made a joke as a kid in the very early 90s, and said, music is so good now, that wouldn't be weird if music got so bad that it was thought of as cool in the future? I never thought it would actually happen. I'm disgusted, especially when you think of how much hard work musicians used to put in their songs. Please bring back good music.
I don’t weep for any celebrities, but he was an exception: he symbolizes my youth. A smiling jumping rocker that enjoyed what he did and he and his music were infectious. When he passed, it felt like my youth had officially passed from a young kid to an old man. RIP, Eddie. I smile because you happened.
I came home that day and immediately learned Eruption, then Im the One and tonight, Jamies Cryin. Im devoting 1 month to learning all of Van Halen 1! It took about 5 days of pondering Eddies passing but on Monday night I actually burst into tears for 15 minutes. Eddie inspired me to start playing guitar in 1985. Its not just his ability, and the music that Van Halen gave me,... that I love, .. but its also all of the lifetime of memories of bands and band members Ive played with, and people and places that, being a guitar player, ... Ive done, gone, met, and seen.
I had the privilege of meeting and talking with Eddie 4-5 times. He used to come into my Families Liquor/Convenience store which was right down the street from his Coldwater Canyon house. He was always so humble and kind in our conversations. He even gave me one of his guitars on one of his visits. On another occasion my cousin and I who also worked at the family store saw Eddie at a gas station filling up his Black Lamborghini, we walked over to him and he remembered us from the store my cousin had a beer in his hand and Eddie asked if he could have a swig so we had a beer with Eddie while he showed us his Lambo. He always came across to me as someone completely unaware that he was a rockstar no ego whatsoever. I think what makes his passing so hard for me is knowing that he had the biggest childlike heart that just loved to create but was also so kind, gentle, humble and a decent human being. So many stories are coming out similar to mine showing Eddies kind, giving nature.
@@MISTERMOODYHYADD I somehow don't think this was 'the norm.' There's plenty of interviews before and after where Eddie appears in a much better state of health. When you say 'norm' are you referring to his constant battle with alcohol and drug addiction?
@@MrDemoncrusher Yes, norm as in his constant battle with Rx and Drink. So yes, it was the norm for Eddie. The word "constant" was a good choice of words. EVH...nobody has been as innovative, influential and contributed to RnR since Jimi Hendrix.
I’m hurting so bad right now... It does bring me a lot of solace to know that Ed’s sonics will live on for generations to come, for everybody to rediscover, draw inspiration from and emulate. 🖤
This guy knew how to do a fucking interview!!! Asks the question and let the person speak without interruptions or opinions! Eddie was a true legend that can never be replaced!!!
Love you Eddie. Rest in peace and thank you for the many memories. You brought so much joy to millions of fans and guitarists. Bless you Wolfgang and loved ones.
In my opinion he left us with one of the best playing guitars ever the Wolfgang a guitar for every price range great guitars from a great man rest in peace brother
I never actually knew what Eddie's speaking voice sounded like. This was actually a great little video to watch - my daughter's taking her first guitar building class, so it's really encouraging and educational to hear his thought process behind one.
so I'm reading comments about education is high, drunk or whatever in this interview. Do we all think that no rock star or musician used drugs or drank? Even Sammy admitted to doing is fair share. Eddie is a genius with the guitar. He is a Mozart with sound and tone. I feel that's why he named his son Wolfgang. He just doesn't play music, he delivers what's inside of him and puts it out in tone. That's why everyone admits his sound is one of a kind. He has always brought a higher level of effort and passion. There are allot of guitar musicians out there, talented, but none that can touch Eddie. See my letter to Ed.
I think this interview clearly demonstrates ed's sheer genius in the mechanics of self taught guitar building.....no ego...just awesome. (It shows just how much raw talent this gentle soul of a man has.) Chip... what can I say.... beautiful design and amazing detail and craftsmanship. All the best to Ed and Chip and Guitar world. thanks ....all the best...god bless Mike.
It’s Eddie ! The way he wound his pickups , the way he tweaked his amp! The way he became a guitar human interface cyborg! It doesn’t matter if you get the gear , it is the man!
I'm so glad he got his act together... just wish he'd sit down seriously and write, record get the band back together, with Dave or Sammy...and Mikey. The stuff this guy can do; he's a total genius, flaws and all, for me, no one's even close to him.
man i wish too....sad part is that its to late now....we can use Eddies life as a reminder for us to do what we got to do while we're still around ....let bygons be bygons and let relationships thrive.
@@mdub2000 There is a great line from the song "Standing outside a broken phone booth with the correct change in my hand" stating "If I die before I learn to speak. Can money pay for all those days I was wide awake, but yet still half asleep"
Man, an original guitarist AND the coolest guitar I've ever seen TO THIS DAY. There is something magical about the design and colors from when I first saw it. I'm a composer / song writer so I don't want to copy him, but part of me really wants the EVH 5150 Striped guitar cause it's just so damned cool
David Gilmour had the shiny black solid acrylic pick guard custom-made for his black Strat. The edges have a convex rounded bevel. These are so cool and a company makes them.
at 1:40 - the black and white became the red guitar - so the frankenstrat and Ibanez destroyer had the brown sound on the debut record - amazing story....
I love the story behind this guitar, but I would NEVER pay thousands of dollars for a "relic" guitar. If I want a relic guitar, I'll play mine until it has my marks, and my "soul", not someone else's
Před 5 lety+19
Well, as far as guitar playing and guitars are concerned, your "soul" is worth NOTHING compared to Eddie's.
Normally I’d agree, but seeing as it’s a replica of someone else’s guitar it just seems right to have it as exact as possible to how theirs is, wear and tear and all
I remember very well the first time I heard Eddie.Me and a couple of buddies we're driving to Chattanooga, Tennessee and one of them had just bought the first Van Halen on eight track tape (yes,eight track lol).By the time we had listened to the entire tape,my mind was blown.This was like something from the future.Their cover of You Really Got Me made The Kinks original version sound like something from the dinosaur era.The world of guitar took a giant leap forward.
Eddie is one of my greatest inspiration He didn't have the money to buy expensive guitar and he made up his own and that's what humbles Me. RIP ROCK LEGEND WITHOUT YOU I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TAP A GUITAR!
For everyone who bags on the shape he was in...When you have radiation on your mouth it weakens the jaw bones. They recommend you have all your teeth pulled before you do it, because your natural teeth are going to rot. He obviously didnt do it, as who would want to. I imagine denial, and not taking care of himself. If he was still having any treatments, there may not have been any point to work on them until the bones were strong enough to heal properly. I think he actually sounds lucid and coherent here. Rotten teeth affect your overall health and make you sound/look really awful. Was he doing other stuff he shouldnt have been and being self destructive? sure. But I really think people are being unfairly harsh based on something that was actually caused by cancer and its treatments.
They have the replica of this in my local Sam Ash in a glass case that slowly rotates with a spotlight above it. It is listed for $19,500. My g-friend and I were just staring at it, both for different reasons. I wanted it sooo bad, she can't believe someone would pay that much for a "beat up piece of shit" (her words) I told her that if I had that kind of money, I would own it, she said that if we were married and I walked in with that, she would leave me. At least now I know how far I can push it!
I never saw this vid- freak'n awesome- been a fan since I was 11 now I'm 44 and EVH is still cool as ever. So many memories over the years. Eddie and my Uncle Kevin that passed away earilier this month of cancer sure did resemble each other- R.I.P. I will never forget either one !!!
I’ll never forget first seeing this when it came with my issue of Guitar World as a young guitarist with an Indonesian Strat copy. First thing I did after the video was tape it up.
It’s possible that that “pollution” excited his genius. He used them to write. I would be surprised if the first 8 records he made were written on blow.
Seeing this documentary at 17 changed the way I approached Guitar 🎸 ❤️💕Picking up My custom built/painted 78’ Frankenstrat Today… RIP EVH Eruption forever
He also said of the bottle, 'I gave up my marriage for this, don't make me give this up.' 🥃 That's sad. The amazing thing is Eddie lived and took big exciting chances with gusto, whether for things good or bad. He was like Hendrix a bit that way. Unstoppable.
@@michaelkunt he was doing tons of coke bought off the street. At the time in California the coke was being cut with Meth, so he got strung out on both. With the meth the beinges would last for days and to come down you would have to drink huge sums of booze. So he was either tweaking his brains out or in a stumbling drunk.
the guy was amasing. my real like was the first album, some or all of fair warning, the demos preceding the first album, and the soundtrack material to that movie the title of which i forget -and i wouldn't be surprised if the aforementioned were ed's favourites as well.
There's a great vid by a kid that built one on a budget of 300 then built another one without. He did an excellent job on both. Will use his vids as a template along with some pictures I found on the net. I have pictures of the body with all the scratches and dings and dents. Gonna blow it up to the actual size of the guitar and use it to trace on the body. Gonna be a lot of work but should be fun.
The thing about Eddie is that he's well known for his lead playing, but his rhythm playing is what really sets him on top of the food chain when talking about the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Killer tone as well. To me, Fair Warning was when he was at his peak. Then Diver Down at second. Women and Children First and VH II are at a dead tie for third place, with VH I in fourth. 1984 is actually my least fave. Too pop, too keyboardish. It is still a killer album, just not with the others.
well my baby's on the corner and she's lookin' so fine / one and one together and it blows my mind / man needs love to live -- I'm the livin' proof / catch that smile and I hit the roof ..
In 1970 guitarist / producer Russ Ballard was using a humbucker modified Strat with the band Argent. This information was sent via email from him to me personally.
@stevezane What are you talking about? You can use the Jackson for anything from Van Halen to Def Leppard to Death Metal to Steve Vai or anything like that. The EVH Wolfgang is basically only for use with Van Halen.
May built a guitar from a wood table and made frets, etc. Eddie assembled some guitar parts. What is amazing is that the sloppy mess he made could still be used for his amazing playing. What is more amazing is that he learned from messing with parts, how to get all these manufacturers to build excellent EVH guitars. The Fender EVH guitars available right now are probably the best value on the market. Even the Mex ones.
The black and white striped paint idea came from The Dils' guitarist Chip Kinman; the VH guys used to go see them. Look it up - on a Les Paul copy a year before.
The "legendary" status of that guitar is ludicrous. If you can play well any guitar that is decent (proper scale/intonation) can be made to sound great. I think what people obsess over is the dichotomy between what that guitar looks like (trash) and how it sounds (which to me had more to do with how he played).
If you actually knew the history behind electric guitars and recognized all the leaps foreword in sound and style, you would appreciate the Frankenstein a lot more. It is legendary to a lot of Guitar fanatics because it gives them more meaning to their music. something to inspire them. and to be inspired by a legend is one of the greatest feelings you can have as a musician. That is the purpose of the Frankenstein. that guy changed how guitar was played. no one even knew the definition of "shredding" until that guy walked on stage. not only did he change how guitar was played, but also how they were made. and also how effects were made and used. he was one of if not the first to use heavy distortion. and this was before we had all those fancy Preset Amp effects and everything, he designed his own pedalboard, and pieced together his own guitar. and showed us that all it takes is the person holding that guitar to make that sound. that mortal men really can do things that computers and sound effects can't. this guy made those sounds with his bare hands and own two feet without any assistance from a computer driven amp effect, or automatic distortions of any kind. it wasn't until he did these things that people instantly wanted to make those kinds of sounds. so guitar and amp manufacturers immediately set out to try and replicate eddie's sounds. to have them available for other guitarists. there is nothing wrong with looking up to Eddie or his Frankenstein. in fact it's one of the coolest things you can get inspiration from. and you may think It's "trash" wich honestly that's what it's supposed to look like. but we think it adds character. like battle scars on a gladiators helmet. maybe people just like things to look all prettied up, and fancy these days. but pretty or fancy things cannot ever be described as badass. badass, means rough around the edges, ugly, mean, and tough. and the Frankenstein's image is a perfect example of that. so Fuck off, Non-believer!
***** So, I'm an inferior human being because I am a fan of Eddie Van Halen? hmm... that sure makes a lot of sense. you know, It's not like I literally think the guy can walk on water or anything. just because I consider him and his Frankenstein legends as far as guitars go. it's not like I made up my own religion for him and worship him in a church of EVH. I believe that people have their own styles and tastes, and I agree they don't have to be Eddie to be good on guitar. but their is nothing wrong with giving the guy credit for his talent skill on guitar. a lot of people listen to Eruption and wonder; "how does he do that?" and since it is like nothing they've ever heard before, they consider it fascinating and inspiring. there is nothing wrong with that. I am infuriated by the fact that you seem to think that being passionate about your music is stupid and foolish. I do not care whether or not you are a fan of of EVH, theres nothing wrong with not having interest in a certain artist. I'm not raging for that. But the fact that you are saying I am a fool for being fascinated by a certain guitarist such as Eddie Van Halen, and having a deep respect and appreciation for his work is nothing short of ignorant and unreasonably disrespectful. The fact that you think people should not be passionate about certain things, makes you seem like bitter assholes who don't get any enjoyment out of your lives. do you even have pulses? are you robots? do you appreciate anything besides food, water, shelter, and money? how boring and dull are you people in person? that is how your comments make you seem in my opinion. so hate on me all you want. But I do not see anything wrong with being a proud Van Halen fan.
I haven't yet seen anyone talk about wanting this guitar. The guitar is famous for the reasons stated in the video: here was a guitar that had a crazy unique paintjob, and looked like it was made from crap parts. But that isn't the only appealing thing. People started asking questions, and found out that Van Halen made this guitar himself, and with cheap-ass parts. It was all DIY, and that was why his tone was so new and different; nothing was stock. The guitar was 100% unique, made from bits and pieces here and there, and it sounded amazing. People who drop loads of money on this guitar miss the point entirely, and most of the commentors here are not those people, from what I've seen. The point was that you didn't need a multiple-thousand-dollar guitar to change the music world. The Frankenstrat isn't a guitar you want to own. It is a guitar that is legendary because it was made by the guitarist, for the guitarist, at home, cheaply, and it blew people's minds. The Red Special, Arm the Homeless, Jimi Hendrix's Strat, these aren't guitars we wish we owned. These are guitars that have earned their place in history. If you think that loving, respecting, or even worshiping a guitar means you want to own it, or appreciating a guitarist's talent means you want to copy them, then you missed the point completely.
For those curious: The ACTUAL frankenstrat was display at the Met in 2019. Below is a link to photos of it behind glass. A lot of up close photos. Some tributes copies get close but the original is so much more faded, weathered, and worn. www.vhnd.com/2019/04/01/eddie-van-halens-1978-touring-rig-and-original-frankenstein-guitar-exhibit/
He’s much more than just drunk here. I believe he was mixing alcohol with methadone and something else. There’s a killer doc on the Tube and it chronicles his drug abuse phases. If the time frame is right I believe that is what he was using.
@mike derocco No doubt. Look how many times he runs his hands through his hair. That's a sure sign he's jacked up pretty good. And the schoolboy giggles when there's really nothing funny. Just his way of dealing with the buzz.
Me too! I hated what he did to it! it looks retarded with a switch screwed into where the middle p'u goes and wires hanging out. IF anyone other than EVH played this originally they would have hated it but because it was HIS GUITAR it was raved about. I like the Black/while with pickguard on the first record and tour! That is a badass guitar!
Dude, there's always going to be trolls that want to hate and throw comparisons out there. Ive learned as I got older it is just a sign of immaturity. Cause lets face it, we all did it at one point. You just gotta ignore these people.
Back when this was shot, Eddie Van Halen was still drinking and he was recovering from tongue cancer due to him having smoked for many years. (Which as the others have pointed out is also the reason why he speaks the way he does, doctors had to removed a part of his tongue) A few months ater this was shot EVH cleaned up. www.guitarworld.com/sites/future.p2technology.com/files/imce-images/news-evhclose.jpg
I like how you believe your therapy qualifications make it somehow justified for you to call out drunks, for whatever reason you feel it necessary. I have a better qualification - I get drunk about twice a week and don't feel guilty about it. In my experience, he is most likely not drunk at all. However, why you feel you needed to mention this at all, and how you parade your so called authority as a therapist, makes me wonder if perhaps you should be seeking therapy? As you said, 'very sad'.
lol So wasted. I was going to count how many times he brushed his hair back away from his face but I stopped at like 20. There's more than just booze flowing through his veins, that much is certain. And when you see a guy let his teeth get that yellow and stained and just don't give a fuck, there is much more going on than meets the eye. Glad he got his shit together, cause he's the greatest rock guitarist ever.
Whenever EVH got really skinny, his face looks sucked in, you knew he was in trouble. He did a lot of coke (Valerie did too), and drank a ton, but his teeth say meth. When he puts on a few pounds and his face fills out, you know he's cleaned up, he's healthier.
@bullitt68390 he melted parafin wax in a coffee can and then dipped it in, but ya had to pull it out of the hot wax before the pickup melted!!! when the wax cools off it fills he gap between the windings so theres no gaps, so you get no thinning out of the sound coming outof the pickup!!!!
Před 5 lety+1
Talk all the shit you want about Eddie, but this dude set the music world on its ear when he turned up. How amazing that on August 12 of 2018 I can still remember the first time I ever heard Van Halen pounding out Running With the Devil followed closely by Eruption on one of the greatest first albums ever made. This dude is a legend in the flesh for sure.
Madrix999 well I heard there was this pile of shit guitar that was way overprices. way way overprices. a pile of junk worth at best 1000 for the body and pickups etc. all the scratches and reflectors I guess cost the rest of the shit loads of thousands of dollars. this guitar is not even close to as good as the ace epiphone for 1000. let alone the ace budokan les paul at 8000. and this guitar is prices so so so much and looks like shit. I thought it was a myth. maybe fantasy. but to see a pile of junk for that price. any one who buys this is high on meth.
Madrix999 tell me this. the guitar like this that is 29 grand. is it worth it? it is a scratched up pile of crap. sure I get it. you love eddie. like I love ace. but if ace tried to sell a scratched up pile of shit for 29 grand I would tell ace to fuck off myself. the remake of this guitar. the real one. that is custom like this. is 29 grand. and worth 900.
@51fifT I hear you.. I watched this interview a few years back and was shocked, but you have to remember that he'd just undergone surgery for mouth cancer. He was also still drinking quite heavily. He's back and in much better shape today. I was impressed with his Madison Square concert he did earlier this week. Rock n Roll however glamorous it looks is quite a rough lifestyle over the years.
"I didn't have the money, and the guitar I wanted to play didn't exist".
Man, that's inspiring.
RIP LEGEND. You 've changed mine and countless other people's lives. Thanks for everything
If the 300 guitars sold for 25 grand each then imagine how much they are worth now?
50.000$ if not more due to his passing from this world to the next
Thank you again Eddie !! You changed my life xox
Stop smoking for Eddie
King Edward
@@raulduke6105
Or for yourself
Been on an Eddie binge since his death. Never thought I would miss him this bad. I know I'm far from alone In feeling this way
@BJB I haven't shed any tears.. but i miss that guy. It's like a part of my childhood is gone, or something? I sorta feel guilty that I find his words and his commission more meaningful now that he's gone.
@BJB yep. Music has become a parody of itself, ever since kurt cobain hit the scene. but people misunderstood what he was saying, and now it's even worse than anyone ever thought it could be. Kurt, "although his sound is an acquired taste" could still play guitar, as well as a few others of that time ie. Billy corgan. they may not have been the best, but by comparison today , main stream music is virtually talentless. Music sucks so bad today, that I am forced to listen to bands that for their time, were not taken seriously ie loverboy and night ranger , because even though their songs are cheesy, they still had good guitar riffs and solos. That's how desperate I've become. I hope eddie's death brings back real talent. Even rap is a parody of itself, as well as country. I once made a joke as a kid in the very early 90s, and said, music is so good now, that wouldn't be weird if music got so bad that it was thought of as cool in the future? I never thought it would actually happen. I'm disgusted, especially when you think of how much hard work musicians used to put in their songs. Please bring back good music.
I don’t weep for any celebrities, but he was an exception: he symbolizes my youth. A smiling jumping rocker that enjoyed what he did and he and his music were infectious.
When he passed, it felt like my youth had officially passed from a young kid to an old man. RIP, Eddie. I smile because you happened.
Right with you bud. No musicians death has effected me like this has. He was my reason for following my musical path.
I came home that day and immediately learned Eruption, then Im the One and tonight, Jamies Cryin. Im devoting 1 month to learning all of Van Halen 1! It took about 5 days of pondering Eddies passing but on Monday night I actually burst into tears for 15 minutes. Eddie inspired me to start playing guitar in 1985. Its not just his ability, and the music that Van Halen gave me,... that I love, .. but its also all of the lifetime of memories of bands and band members Ive played with, and people and places that, being a guitar player, ... Ive done, gone, met, and seen.
I had the privilege of meeting and talking with Eddie 4-5 times. He used to come into my Families Liquor/Convenience store which was right down the street from his Coldwater Canyon house. He was always so humble and kind in our conversations. He even gave me one of his guitars on one of his visits. On another occasion my cousin and I who also worked at the family store saw Eddie at a gas station filling up his Black Lamborghini, we walked over to him and he remembered us from the store my cousin had a beer in his hand and Eddie asked if he could have a swig so we had a beer with Eddie while he showed us his Lambo. He always came across to me as someone completely unaware that he was a rockstar no ego whatsoever. I think what makes his passing so hard for me is knowing that he had the biggest childlike heart that just loved to create but was also so kind, gentle, humble and a decent human being. So many stories are coming out similar to mine showing Eddies kind, giving nature.
Am I the only one who notices how strung out Eddie looks here. He looked a whole lot better later on when he sobered up.
So true...
This was the norm. We love you Edddie RIP
@@MISTERMOODYHYADD I somehow don't think this was 'the norm.' There's plenty of interviews before and after where Eddie appears in a much better state of health. When you say 'norm' are you referring to his constant battle with alcohol and drug addiction?
@@MrDemoncrusher Yes, norm as in his constant battle with Rx and Drink. So yes, it was the norm for Eddie. The word "constant" was a good choice of words. EVH...nobody has been as innovative, influential and contributed to RnR since Jimi Hendrix.
I think this is when most of his teeth were gone.
god, when i was in middle school, this video was like Rosebud to me :P i couldnt stop watching this short film
I wonder how many thousands and thousands of guitarists have watched this video over and over :)
@@sabbracadabra8367 yeah, and much, much more now after Eddie's passing.
Oh hello foota lmao
The interviewer is great at guiding the pace of this video and Eddie has some very interesting bits to share
I’m hurting so bad right now... It does bring me a lot of solace to know that Ed’s sonics will live on for generations to come, for everybody to rediscover, draw inspiration from and emulate.
🖤
Those first albums still blow my mind! The guitar stuff he did was obviously amazing.
It;s like Eddie is King Arthur and that guitar is Excalibur.
This guy knew how to do a fucking interview!!! Asks the question and let the person speak without interruptions or opinions! Eddie was a true legend that can never be replaced!!!
RIP Eddie..!! Thank you for the fun times down at Cabo Wabo with Sammy !!! Great memories for the rest of my life..!!
Love you Eddie. Rest in peace and thank you for the many memories. You brought so much joy to millions of fans and guitarists. Bless you Wolfgang and loved ones.
In my opinion he left us with one of the best playing guitars ever the Wolfgang a guitar for every price range great guitars from a great man rest in peace brother
He seems like he was a really cool guy. Really likeable and down to Earth. Very frank, and humble.
@mike derocco most people said? So we still don't really know whether he was cool or not. Heresay
@mike derocco fuck you tough guy
@mike derocco do you knkw the guy? No. Then don't be a dickhead.
Duh 🙄 he’s the king of rock
Came back to this gem of a documentary 🙏🏽
A lot of people are discovering van Halen's mad scientist approach now after his death. Awesome!
frabber yep that’s me
I never actually knew what Eddie's speaking voice sounded like. This was actually a great little video to watch - my daughter's taking her first guitar building class, so it's really encouraging and educational to hear his thought process behind one.
never gets old to listen and learn things from you Tx for all the music of the years
Yes. The little a Dutch boy, was a truly awesome musician. We are so grateful that you did, create a ruckus.
so I'm reading comments about education is high, drunk or whatever in this interview. Do we all think that no rock star or musician used drugs or drank? Even Sammy admitted to doing is fair share. Eddie is a genius with the guitar. He is a Mozart with sound and tone. I feel that's why he named his son Wolfgang. He just doesn't play music, he delivers what's inside of him and puts it out in tone. That's why everyone admits his sound is one of a kind. He has always brought a higher level of effort and passion. There are allot of guitar musicians out there, talented, but none that can touch Eddie. See my letter to Ed.
He named his son Wolfgang because he used to play classical music and it's his favourite kind of music and Mozart was his favourite composer.
Dean Marino
Dean "you are worthy".
Ed is such a genuis, such a very creative and inspirational guitarist!
Van Halen For Life!!!
I think this interview clearly demonstrates ed's sheer genius in the mechanics of self taught guitar building.....no ego...just awesome. (It shows just how much raw talent this gentle soul of a man has.)
Chip... what can I say.... beautiful design and amazing detail and craftsmanship.
All the best to Ed and Chip and Guitar world.
thanks ....all the best...god bless
Mike.
Van Halen... for the world of Rock was forever changed when Eddie, Alex , Micheal and Dave stepped out on stage over 40 years ago...
Thank You
It’s Eddie ! The way he wound his pickups , the way he tweaked his amp! The way he became a guitar human interface cyborg!
It doesn’t matter if you get the gear , it is the man!
I still can't believe that Eddie Van Halen passed. I thought that he would recover and another concert was around the corner. RIP My guitar god.
I'll never stop playing guitar Eddie I promise. Thank you so much!
One of my favorite guitarists such an inspiration to play and make music!!!
He said he's a "tone chaser." He's mentioned his love for tone many times in other interviews.
I'm so glad he got his act together... just wish he'd sit down seriously and write, record get the band back together, with Dave or Sammy...and Mikey. The stuff this guy can do; he's a total genius, flaws and all, for me, no one's even close to him.
You do realize its only been like 5 years since the last record
man i wish too....sad part is that its to late now....we can use Eddies life as a reminder for us to do what we got to do while we're still around ....let bygons be bygons and let relationships thrive.
@@mdub2000 There is a great line from the song "Standing outside a broken phone booth with the correct change in my hand" stating "If I die before I learn to speak. Can money pay for all those days I was wide awake, but yet still half asleep"
Saw them in Vancouver 84 , best show ever the ENERGY & SOUND was thru the roof. RIP EVH
Man, an original guitarist AND the coolest guitar I've ever seen TO THIS DAY. There is something magical about the design and colors from when I first saw it. I'm a composer / song writer so I don't want to copy him, but part of me really wants the EVH 5150 Striped guitar cause it's just so damned cool
Love how he cuts out the pick guard 5:05 😂😂
David Gilmour had the shiny black solid acrylic pick guard custom-made for his black Strat. The edges have a convex rounded bevel. These are so cool and a company makes them.
at 1:40 - the black and white became the red guitar - so the frankenstrat and Ibanez destroyer had the brown sound on the debut record - amazing story....
If this was on VHS I would have worn the hell out of it by now. I go back to these videos about every other month, I just love that guitar!
The intro of this is awesome, eddie van halen truly made some AMAZING music.
I love the story behind this guitar, but I would NEVER pay thousands of dollars for a "relic" guitar. If I want a relic guitar, I'll play mine until it has my marks, and my "soul", not someone else's
Well, as far as guitar playing and guitars are concerned, your "soul" is worth NOTHING compared to Eddie's.
Yup that's how they're born.
Normally I’d agree, but seeing as it’s a replica of someone else’s guitar it just seems right to have it as exact as possible to how theirs is, wear and tear and all
@ So I'm assuming Eddies soul is worth more than your's?
Best comment I've read. People always want to be someone else's and forget they own their own identity.
I love how DIY Eddie is, a real musicians musician.
I remember very well the first time I heard Eddie.Me and a couple of buddies we're driving to Chattanooga, Tennessee and one of them had just bought the first Van Halen on eight track tape (yes,eight track lol).By the time we had listened to the entire tape,my mind was blown.This was like something from the future.Their cover of You Really Got Me made The Kinks original version sound like something from the dinosaur era.The world of guitar took a giant leap forward.
Eddie is one of my greatest inspiration
He didn't have the money to buy expensive guitar and he made up his own and that's what humbles Me.
RIP ROCK LEGEND WITHOUT YOU
I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TAP A GUITAR!
"The guitar I wanted to play did not exist". I love that quote
For everyone who bags on the shape he was in...When you have radiation on your mouth it weakens the jaw bones. They recommend you have all your teeth pulled before you do it, because your natural teeth are going to rot. He obviously didnt do it, as who would want to. I imagine denial, and not taking care of himself. If he was still having any treatments, there may not have been any point to work on them until the bones were strong enough to heal properly. I think he actually sounds lucid and coherent here. Rotten teeth affect your overall health and make you sound/look really awful. Was he doing other stuff he shouldnt have been and being self destructive? sure. But I really think people are being unfairly harsh based on something that was actually caused by cancer and its treatments.
why did he have radiation in his mouth? mouth cancer or something?
Deadpool williams He has tongue cancer from either smoking and or metal picks
@@legatomisterioso7 you can get cancer from metal picks? what kind of metal
Deadpool williams He held brass and copper picks with his tongue
Interesting...i thought he sounded fine
so hard to find a good interviewer that just shuts up and lets the interviewee talk!
Blessed to have seen him 3 times live.78,80,87.
Second to only Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen was undoubtedly one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century.
Second to no one, fuck Jimi Hendrix.
+Skedaren yes the only two worth studying and watching.both very difficult to figure out.both geniuses.
Hendrix was green grapes didn't get a chance to ripe. Eddie second to none,
+lemongrass5150 Funny you'd say that, because Eddie wrote his best stuff when he was still green grapes as well.
Third is malmsteen in influence and inovation of style
They have the replica of this in my local Sam Ash in a glass case that slowly rotates with a spotlight above it. It is listed for $19,500. My g-friend and I were just staring at it, both for different reasons. I wanted it sooo bad, she can't believe someone would pay that much for a "beat up piece of shit" (her words) I told her that if I had that kind of money, I would own it, she said that if we were married and I walked in with that, she would leave me. At least now I know how far I can push it!
Dimebag Dio Kilmister fuck her!! get the guitar, at least guitars never break your heart and never make you angry
Time for a new girlfriend.
“beat up piece of shit” right then I’d a kick her ass to the curb! Put yourself first brother!!!
The funny thing is that guitar probably cost Eddie about $200 to build and it retails for almost 20 grand now.
My friend will make you a real deal frankenstein for $1200. His first one sounds amazing!
I never saw this vid- freak'n awesome- been a fan since I was 11 now I'm 44 and EVH is still cool as ever. So many memories over the years. Eddie and my Uncle Kevin that passed away earilier this month of cancer sure did resemble each other- R.I.P. I will never forget either one !!!
I’ll never forget first seeing this when it came with my issue of Guitar World as a young guitarist with an Indonesian Strat copy. First thing I did after the video was tape it up.
The man was a genius...too bad he polluted his body, shortening his life! Thankyou for your contribution to music...love it!!
Time and place and this isn't it
It’s possible that that “pollution” excited his genius. He used them to write. I would be surprised if the first 8 records he made were written on blow.
Some people call it “pollution” others call it “partying “. Some just party harder than others. 👊🏻
he's the greatest guitar player in the universe
Randy was better
Only if people would realize that its all opinion on who they think is better....
What about dimeback?
Rudy Escobar I meant Dimebag
lemongrass5150 I respect your comment man, but in my mind Eddie Van Halen is #2 Brian May is #1
Seeing this documentary at 17 changed the way I approached Guitar 🎸 ❤️💕Picking up My custom built/painted 78’ Frankenstrat Today… RIP EVH Eruption forever
Thank you very much. I just listened to it right now and love it.
mid 2000's meth eddie. This was the reason Valerie left him, now I get it. Glad he cleaned himself up.
Wait he was on meth???
He also said of the bottle, 'I gave up my marriage for this, don't make me give this up.' 🥃
That's sad. The amazing thing is Eddie lived and took big exciting chances with gusto, whether for things good or bad. He was like Hendrix a bit that way. Unstoppable.
@@michaelkunt he was doing tons of coke bought off the street. At the time in California the coke was being cut with Meth, so he got strung out on both. With the meth the beinges would last for days and to come down you would have to drink huge sums of booze. So he was either tweaking his brains out or in a stumbling drunk.
@@iceWaterProductions1 the amount of meth you do at night is the amount of alcohol you have to drink the next morning to "get back right"
Legend
the guy was amasing. my real like was the first album, some or all of fair warning, the demos preceding the first album, and the soundtrack material to that movie the title of which i forget -and i wouldn't be surprised if the aforementioned were ed's favourites as well.
I used to watch this video like EVERY DAY when I was a kid 🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I'm gonna build one exactly to his spec
good luck
There's a great vid by a kid that built one on a budget of 300 then built another one without. He did an excellent job on both. Will use his vids as a template along with some pictures I found on the net. I have pictures of the body with all the scratches and dings and dents. Gonna blow it up to the actual size of the guitar and use it to trace on the body. Gonna be a lot of work but should be fun.
The thing about Eddie is that he's well known for his lead playing, but his rhythm playing is what really sets him on top of the food chain when talking about the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Killer tone as well. To me, Fair Warning was when he was at his peak. Then Diver Down at second. Women and Children First and VH II are at a dead tie for third place, with VH I in fourth. 1984 is actually my least fave. Too pop, too keyboardish. It is still a killer album, just not with the others.
I agree. Fair Warning is Eddie and the band at their darkest and sleaziest with a real fuck you attitude.
well my baby's on the corner and she's lookin' so fine / one and one together and it blows my mind / man needs love to live -- I'm the livin' proof / catch that smile and I hit the roof ..
The first record changed music forever.
Hang Em High is just Stellar ! Absolutely hooked on it
@@ocan1033 We'd double-check, butcha keep on walkin...I'm in Love...Once over...I'm Overdonnnnne
All these years I never knew Eddie's guitar was named Frankenstein let alone that he built it himself! EPIC!!
It was nice of Eddie's grandmother to do the interview.
He can do whatever he wants...he's EVH!!!!
In 1970 guitarist / producer Russ Ballard was using a humbucker modified Strat with the band Argent. This information was sent via email from him to me personally.
@stevezane What are you talking about? You can use the Jackson for anything from Van Halen to Def Leppard to Death Metal to Steve Vai or anything like that. The EVH Wolfgang is basically only for use with Van Halen.
This dude is fuckin awesome
This is also why I never play "signature" guitars. I play things that are my own. I have my thing, I do it my way.
@teiscoxx no, the guitar burried with dime was the EVHII aka "bumblebee" its the yellow and black one
Great, now i every time i step into guitar center, i think i see the great one. THANKS EVH.
I think Brian May built his guitar and before Van Halen
Anaël Gomes Correct. In fact it was 1963 the start of the Red Special's construction and completed in 1965.
Brian, and his dad built it.
Anaël Gomes he did Jim and his father made it out of a table
Bob Glenn A table and I thought I remember them saying a fireplace mantle or something ( I could be wrong).
May built a guitar from a wood table and made frets, etc. Eddie assembled some guitar parts. What is amazing is that the sloppy mess he made could still be used for his amazing playing. What is more amazing is that he learned from messing with parts, how to get all these manufacturers to build excellent EVH guitars. The Fender EVH guitars available right now are probably the best value on the market. Even the Mex ones.
He is still a better guitarist drunk high or otherwise than I am sober..... been playing for the better part of 30 years.
@stevezane You can equip the Jackson with different pickups. Also there is such thing as a gain knob on the amplifier.
The black and white striped paint idea came from The Dils' guitarist Chip Kinman; the VH guys used to go see them. Look it up - on a Les Paul copy a year before.
"at the time no body built their own guitars"
um....... have you ever herd of brian may from queen ?? built his own guitar from scratch...
mammo8369 🤦♂️
And Ace Frehley of KISS was also modding his own guitars, Joe Walsh, Jimmy frickin Page!! I mean come one someone is just a bit full of himself lol
The "legendary" status of that guitar is ludicrous. If you can play well any guitar that is decent (proper scale/intonation) can be made to sound great. I think what people obsess over is the dichotomy between what that guitar looks like (trash) and how it sounds (which to me had more to do with how he played).
If you actually knew the history behind electric guitars and recognized all the leaps foreword in sound and style, you would appreciate the Frankenstein a lot more. It is legendary to a lot of Guitar fanatics because it gives them more meaning to their music. something to inspire them. and to be inspired by a legend is one of the greatest feelings you can have as a musician. That is the purpose of the Frankenstein. that guy changed how guitar was played. no one even knew the definition of "shredding" until that guy walked on stage. not only did he change how guitar was played, but also how they were made. and also how effects were made and used. he was one of if not the first to use heavy distortion. and this was before we had all those fancy Preset Amp effects and everything, he designed his own pedalboard, and pieced together his own guitar. and showed us that all it takes is the person holding that guitar to make that sound. that mortal men really can do things that computers and sound effects can't. this guy made those sounds with his bare hands and own two feet without any assistance from a computer driven amp effect, or automatic distortions of any kind. it wasn't until he did these things that people instantly wanted to make those kinds of sounds. so guitar and amp manufacturers immediately set out to try and replicate eddie's sounds. to have them available for other guitarists. there is nothing wrong with looking up to Eddie or his Frankenstein. in fact it's one of the coolest things you can get inspiration from. and you may think It's "trash" wich honestly that's what it's supposed to look like. but we think it adds character. like battle scars on a gladiators helmet. maybe people just like things to look all prettied up, and fancy these days. but pretty or fancy things cannot ever be described as badass. badass, means rough around the edges, ugly, mean, and tough. and the Frankenstein's image is a perfect example of that. so Fuck off, Non-believer!
Believe on you fool.
whatever. I find your lack of passion boring, and uninteresting.
***** So, I'm an inferior human being because I am a fan of Eddie Van Halen? hmm... that sure makes a lot of sense. you know, It's not like I literally think the guy can walk on water or anything. just because I consider him and his Frankenstein legends as far as guitars go. it's not like I made up my own religion for him and worship him in a church of EVH. I believe that people have their own styles and tastes, and I agree they don't have to be Eddie to be good on guitar. but their is nothing wrong with giving the guy credit for his talent skill on guitar. a lot of people listen to Eruption and wonder; "how does he do that?" and since it is like nothing they've ever heard before, they consider it fascinating and inspiring. there is nothing wrong with that. I am infuriated by the fact that you seem to think that being passionate about your music is stupid and foolish. I do not care whether or not you are a fan of of EVH, theres nothing wrong with not having interest in a certain artist. I'm not raging for that. But the fact that you are saying I am a fool for being fascinated by a certain guitarist such as Eddie Van Halen, and having a deep respect and appreciation for his work is nothing short of ignorant and unreasonably disrespectful. The fact that you think people should not be passionate about certain things, makes you seem like bitter assholes who don't get any enjoyment out of your lives. do you even have pulses? are you robots? do you appreciate anything besides food, water, shelter, and money? how boring and dull are you people in person? that is how your comments make you seem in my opinion. so hate on me all you want. But I do not see anything wrong with being a proud Van Halen fan.
I haven't yet seen anyone talk about wanting this guitar. The guitar is famous for the reasons stated in the video: here was a guitar that had a crazy unique paintjob, and looked like it was made from crap parts. But that isn't the only appealing thing. People started asking questions, and found out that Van Halen made this guitar himself, and with cheap-ass parts. It was all DIY, and that was why his tone was so new and different; nothing was stock. The guitar was 100% unique, made from bits and pieces here and there, and it sounded amazing. People who drop loads of money on this guitar miss the point entirely, and most of the commentors here are not those people, from what I've seen. The point was that you didn't need a multiple-thousand-dollar guitar to change the music world. The Frankenstrat isn't a guitar you want to own. It is a guitar that is legendary because it was made by the guitarist, for the guitarist, at home, cheaply, and it blew people's minds. The Red Special, Arm the Homeless, Jimi Hendrix's Strat, these aren't guitars we wish we owned. These are guitars that have earned their place in history. If you think that loving, respecting, or even worshiping a guitar means you want to own it, or appreciating a guitarist's talent means you want to copy them, then you missed the point completely.
I would love to have one. It looks like it would be a blast to play. I miss the days of the innovative musician. Eddie is a legend!!!!
God I didn’t know him in person but miss the guy an his music he is why I was able to play guitar TABS was made cause of him
yeah but you need talent which is more hard to accuire
Drugs are baaad, mmmkaaaayyy....
❤️you Eddie....miss you
For those curious: The ACTUAL frankenstrat was display at the Met in 2019. Below is a link to photos of it behind glass. A lot of up close photos. Some tributes copies get close but the original is so much more faded, weathered, and worn.
www.vhnd.com/2019/04/01/eddie-van-halens-1978-touring-rig-and-original-frankenstein-guitar-exhibit/
Who owns it now?
he's almost drunk here.. smoking loon lips in action..cool drunk though 😀
He’s much more than just drunk here. I believe he was mixing alcohol with methadone and something else. There’s a killer doc on the Tube and it chronicles his drug abuse phases. If the time frame is right I believe that is what he was using.
@mike derocco No doubt. Look how many times he runs his hands through his hair. That's a sure sign he's jacked up pretty good. And the schoolboy giggles when there's really nothing funny. Just his way of dealing with the buzz.
bring me 29 grand, i will build you ten of these lol..and buy a decent car..
No one cares show off.
maddog76 awesome show of gifting Maddog... golf clap;)
@Themusician26 That exact guitar is at the Sunset Blvd. Guitar Center display window.
Rest In Peace KING Edward Van Halen!! ❤️🖤💔
I miss meth Eddie.
Hahaha wtf!!!
Peter Gagnon Eddie MethHalen
LOL
Peter Gagnon
i don't think he was ever a meth head ...... coke and drink i think was his poison
idrathernot Definitely was a meth head. Thankfully he survived it.
Wow ...what a mess, I'm not talking about the guitar either. Black teeth.... get some sleep Ed.
..this was 8 years ago...
He had mouth cancer lol
I loved the black and white look!
Me too! I hated what he did to it! it looks retarded with a switch screwed into where the middle p'u goes and wires hanging out.
IF anyone other than EVH played this originally they would have hated it but because it was HIS GUITAR it was raved about.
I like the Black/while with pickguard on the first record and tour!
That is a badass guitar!
His teeth or guitar? Man he looks and sounds terible. Eddie gets a double pass on it though - the master
Dude, there's always going to be trolls that want to hate and throw comparisons out there. Ive learned as I got older it is just a sign of immaturity. Cause lets face it, we all did it at one point. You just gotta ignore these people.
as a therapist, this guy is either drunk or his brain has been pickled so badly, like a boxer who has been punched too many times....very sad.
***** Ditto!
Who cares? You're boring.
When you reach his level of fame, and revolutionize an instrument, then I'll answer you
Back when this was shot, Eddie Van Halen was still drinking and he was recovering from tongue cancer due to him having smoked for many years. (Which as the others have pointed out is also the reason why he speaks the way he does, doctors had to removed a part of his tongue)
A few months ater this was shot EVH cleaned up.
www.guitarworld.com/sites/future.p2technology.com/files/imce-images/news-evhclose.jpg
I like how you believe your therapy qualifications make it somehow justified for you to call out drunks, for whatever reason you feel it necessary. I have a better qualification - I get drunk about twice a week and don't feel guilty about it. In my experience, he is most likely not drunk at all. However, why you feel you needed to mention this at all, and how you parade your so called authority as a therapist, makes me wonder if perhaps you should be seeking therapy? As you said, 'very sad'.
Sad what dirty old wino Van Halen was here
C'mon man he's rich and a legend
RIP EDDIE TRUE LEGEND LARGER THAN LIFE 💎💎💎 THE MUSIC YOU CREATED WILL NEVER DIE
From beginning to end of this video oh my goodness Eddie was lit.
He is sooooo drunk.
lol So wasted. I was going to count how many times he brushed his hair back away from his face but I stopped at like 20. There's more than just booze flowing through his veins, that much is certain. And when you see a guy let his teeth get that yellow and stained and just don't give a fuck, there is much more going on than meets the eye. Glad he got his shit together, cause he's the greatest rock guitarist ever.
Whenever EVH got really skinny, his face looks sucked in, you knew he was in trouble. He did a lot of coke (Valerie did too), and drank a ton, but his teeth say meth. When he puts on a few pounds and his face fills out, you know he's cleaned up, he's healthier.
@bullitt68390 he melted parafin wax in a coffee can and then dipped it in, but ya had to pull it out of the hot wax before the pickup melted!!! when the wax cools off it fills he gap between the windings so theres no gaps, so you get no thinning out of the sound coming outof the pickup!!!!
Talk all the shit you want about Eddie, but this dude set the music world on its ear when he turned up. How amazing that on August 12 of 2018 I can still remember the first time I ever heard Van Halen pounding out Running With the Devil followed closely by Eruption on one of the greatest first albums ever made. This dude is a legend in the flesh for sure.
The guitar he never uses ,sellout.
Hi T okay fair enough, but if there was EVER a guitar to make meticulous duplicates of, it’s gotta be this one.
How is he a sellout? It's his guitar to use or hang on his wall to admire. Why is that your business?
@@whiteshell1 Amen. I do wish he would play it more though
I wouldn't give 5 cent for that pile of crap. I would rather have a fake Chinese fake Gibson ace frehley guitar than that crap
Go f*** yourself man... Anyway why are you watching this??
Madrix999 well I heard there was this pile of shit guitar that was way overprices. way way overprices. a pile of junk worth at best 1000 for the body and pickups etc. all the scratches and reflectors I guess cost the rest of the shit loads of thousands of dollars. this guitar is not even close to as good as the ace epiphone for 1000. let alone the ace budokan les paul at 8000. and this guitar is prices so so so much and looks like shit. I thought it was a myth. maybe fantasy. but to see a pile of junk for that price. any one who buys this is high on meth.
you're a piece of shit, a big one
Madrix999 tell me this. the guitar like this that is 29 grand. is it worth it? it is a scratched up pile of crap. sure I get it. you love eddie. like I love ace. but if ace tried to sell a scratched up pile of shit for 29 grand I would tell ace to fuck off myself. the remake of this guitar. the real one. that is custom like this. is 29 grand. and worth 900.
You really dont know the concept of ''Home-made'' or ''Hand-crafted'', dont you???
Chasing tone. I get it now. Thanks for this.
Eddie is bad to the bone. Just think if Randy Rhoads was still alive the music he would have put ou
Rest In Peace Eddie. Hope you can see Dimebag about getting your Bumblebee back, and hope you get to finally meet Hendrix.
@51fifT I hear you.. I watched this interview a few years back and was shocked, but you have to remember that he'd just undergone surgery for mouth cancer. He was also still drinking quite heavily. He's back and in much better shape today. I was impressed with his Madison Square concert he did earlier this week.
Rock n Roll however glamorous it looks is quite a rough lifestyle over the years.