Eddie Van Halen’s Kramer “Ad” guitar sells for $2,734,000 at auction

A guitar once owned and played by Eddie Van Halen has become one of the most expensive ever sold publicly. The instrument, known in collector circles as the “Kramer Ad” guitar, fetched $2,734,000 at auction on October 24, 2025, placing it sixth in the world-ranking of guitars sold in public auctions.

The guitar in question dates to around 1982, one of the first collaborative builds between Van Halen and Kramer. It carries the iconic red-black-white striped finish that mirrored Van Halen’s landmark Frankenstein guitar, and features a “banana” headstock and gold Gothic script on the back of the headstock reading “#1 Edward Van Halen Model”. 

Documentation confirms that this specific guitar was used on tour during late 1982 and early 1983, including performances in the U.S. and South America (Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela). Guitar expert Chris Gill identified it as being played at the Philadelphia Spectrum on October 19-20, 1982 and throughout the South American leg of the band’s tour. 

The origin of this instrument lies at a key moment in rock history. When Van Halen partnered with Kramer, the result was a shift in the guitar industry – Kramer briefly became the best-selling electric guitar brand in the mid ’80s, driven by Van Halen’s endorsement and guitar design involvement. Gill remarks: “What Les Paul was for Gibson, Edward Van Halen is for Kramer.” 

The provenance also includes an inscription from Van Halen to his guitar tech, Rudy Leiren: “Rude – it’s been a great ten years – let’s do another ten. Eddie Van Halen”. After Van Halen gifted the guitar to Leiren, it passed to Mötley Crüe’s Mick Mars, who later used it in the recording of Dr. Feelgood. 

From a gear-obsessed perspective this sale is significant for three reasons: it reaffirms Van Halen’s impact not just as a player but as an innovator; it underscores the collector-value of historically significant instruments; and it serves as a reminder that the value of a guitar is as much tied to story and provenance as to tone and build.

By Dara Christine – October 25 2025