Previously valued at between two and three million dollars, the custom-made Kramer guitar had a minimum bid of $1.8 million, and was sold this past week for $3,932,00.
Described by Sotheby’s as “one of the most iconic guitars of the MTV era as played by the most influential guitarist of his generation, the legendary ‘Hot for Teacher’ stage-used and filmed guitar was custom made by Paul Unkert of Kramer Guitars for Eddie Van Halen, including important innovations customized for Eddie’s evolving guitar technique.
“Poplar double-cut ‘Strat’ style body, the top routed for a single double-coil Seymour Duncan humbucker pickup, volume control, Floyd Rose bridge with whammy bar, unvarnished 22 fret maple bolt-on neck (stamped “UNK” on heel) with Kramer sticker on headstock, unvarnished body and headstock spray painted with Van Halen’s characteristic black and white abstract stripe design on a red ground, rear routed for the Floyd Rose’s three springs and stop, no pick guard or rear cover (as designed), screw holes on the back for Eddie Van Halen’s patented flip-up rest (for playing the guitar horizontally. Original case with tour and Warner Brothers tags. [With:] The straight jacket and white gloves worn by Van Halen in the video.”
Sotheby’s adds: “Unkert’s accompanying letter of 4/13/05 details the guitar’s history: “The ‘Hot For Teacher’ Van Halen [guitar] was built by me at the Kramer Green Grove Road Plant in Neptune, NJ around 1982-1985/ #CO176. Look for ‘Unk’ stamps on Neck and Body. It was my last project for Ed and Kramer. Paul ‘Unk’ Unkert.”
“Hot For Teacher” was the fourth single from Van Halen’s sixth studio record, “1984”; the project went on to achieve the rare feat of duplicating the success of the band’s 1978 self-titled debut when it reached Diamond status for US sales of more than 10 million copies.
Eddie Van Halen passed away in 2020 at the age of 65 from a stroke and other issues following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Pick up your copy of Van Halen’s “1984” here.
See also:
David Lee Roth performs Van Halen classics in Las Vegas
David Lee Roth details Eric Clapton influence on Eddie Van Halen on The Roth Show
Wolfgang Van Halen streams lead single from new Mammoth WVH album
David Lee Roth revisits retirement status on The Roth Show
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
