Kramer reached out to Paul Reed Smith, requesting, "Paul! Paul! I need your assistance. Eddie Van Halen is wanting a guitar built": Smith's account concerning Kramer's guitar request for Van Halen
Paul Reed Smith Crafts Custom Guitar for Eddie Van Halen
In 1988, Paul Reed Smith, renowned guitar maker, was called upon to help Kramer when Eddie Van Halen was coming. Dennis Berardi, Kramer's CEO at the time, sought his expertise to put together a guitar for the legendary guitarist before his arrival[1].
The result was an S-style guitar, a design that embodied PRS's refined craftsmanship and incorporated features that might have suited Van Halen's unique playing style. Known for hot-rodding guitars with various modifications, Van Halen's preferences included a bolt-on neck design and a double-locking vibrato[1].
This custom S-style guitar, made to meet Kramer's urgent need, was more aligned with PRS's aesthetics than usual but was tailored to EVH's preferences. The guitar, equipped with the Floyd Rose, was a sight to behold for the crew of the Van Halen concert, who were excited to hear Eddie Van Halen play it[1].
The guitar, which originally had aluminum pieces in the back, allowing it to be played like a lap steel, was later transformed into the 5150 guitar, with the aluminum pieces removed[1].
PRS Guitars, which launched with Carlos Santana's endorsement, has been celebrated for its high-quality electric guitar designs. Today, players like John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, and Zach Myers swear by PRS electric guitar designs[1].
In addition, PRS Guitars has announced that it will be selling its electric guitar pickups, offering players the opportunity to experience the same quality that has been good enough for Eddie Van Halen[1]. Paul Reed Smith himself made the pickup for the Kramer guitar made for Eddie Van Halen[1].
Reflecting on Van Halen's playing style, Paul Reed Smith described it as both musical and powerful[1]. The hypothetical question asked to Paul Reed Smith was if he would make a guitar for Eddie Van Halen, and it seems that history has proven that he was more than happy to oblige.
[1] Source: Guitar World Interview with Paul Reed Smith, 2015.
- The custom S-style guitar, created by Paul Reed Smith for Eddie Van Halen, showcased PRS's intricate craftsmanship and incorporated features such as a bolt-on neck design and a double-locking vibrato.
- Paul Reed Smith's guitar designs have been praised for their high-quality, with artists like John Mayer, Mark Tremonti, and Zach Myers swearing by them.
- The 5150 guitar, formerly equipped with aluminum pieces that enabled it to be played like a lap steel, was a modified version of the custom S-style guitar PRS made for Eddie Van Halen.
- In his interview with Guitar World, Paul Reed Smith described Eddie Van Halen's playing style as both musical and powerful.
- In addition to crafting guitars, PRS Guitars has announced that it will be selling its electric guitar pickups, allowing players to experience the same quality that has been admired by musicians like Eddie Van Halen.
- PRS Guitars initially gained notoriety with Carlos Santana's endorsement and has since been associated with the world of entertainment, music, and even sports, given its use by prominent guitarists.
