This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/9/2026
Offered Here: This extraordinary offering presents an iconic piece of rock history: an original 5150 Kramer guitar built by Zeke Clark for Edward Van Halen in 1986. This is the first guitar Zeke built for Edward Van Halen. It was meticulously maintained by Edward’s renowned lead guitar and amplifier technician, Randall "Zeke" Clark, this instrument stands as a holy grail artifact from the peak of Van Halen's stadium-rock dominance. Impeccable, direct provenance includes a signed letter of authenticity from Clark, who served as the custodian of Edward's tone from 1985 to 1993, transitioning into the Sammy Hagar era to maintain the band's gear through the monumental 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge eras. Over a historic five-decade career, Clark built and repaired specialized gear for the world's most elite guitar royalty, making this custom collaboration a true testament to master craftsmanship. Over an elite five-decade career, Clark built, repaired, and maintained specialized gear for iconic artists, making this custom collaboration a true testament to the master craftsman who shaped the sound of guitar royalty.
The guitar remains in raw, production-used condition with custom stamped with "EV5150" on the rear back plate. Perpetuating the untamed spirit of the era's stage presence, the instrument features nine authentic guitar picks from the historic 5150 tour and still retains a stage-used cigarette—complete with visible burns—positioned between the nut and the low E tuning post as it was during the tours capturing the gritty essence of the road. Accompanying this premier rock specimen is a treasure trove of direct memorabilia, including an Ernie Ball EVH-branded leather guitar strap, three sets of vintage 5150-branded strings, a blue Van Halen-branded golf divot tool, an original fan-made EVH button, a Zeke Clark decal, a photo of Clark with the guitar, and his personal business card. The instrument is housed in its original plush-lined hard shell case, heavily weathered by world tours and decorated with fifteen authentic backstage passes. The handle is further adorned with three vintage luggage tags, an elite Access All Areas 5150 tour laminate, a unique laminated Zeke Clark business card featuring a custom photo, and a rare U.S. Tour 1988 Monsters of Rock keychain. This beautifully curated archive offers serious collectors an unparalleled, direct connection to the hands of a musical genius.
Provenance/Authenticity: Randall "Zeke" Clark is a renowned luthier and legendary guitar/amp technician who got his start in the San Francisco music scene in the 70s, working with various A-list artists until moving to LA in the 80s, where he worked for Eddie Van Halen. From 1985 to 1993, he served as Edward Van Halen’s lead guitar and amp tech, transitioning to the crew with Sammy Hagar to maintain the band's gear through the monumental 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge eras. Beyond his historic tenure as the custodian of Eddie's tone, Clark's elite five-decade career includes building, repairing, and maintaining specialized gear for iconic artists such as Prince, Sammy Hagar, Journey, Heart, Poison, and others. This curated selection of items offers collectors a unique and direct connection to rock history through the hands of a master craftsman who shaped the sound of guitar royalty.
This item was personally handled, vetted, and released by Zeke Clark, ensuring its authenticity and rock-history provenance. Zeke Clark utilizes an Official Personal Signature Stamp to validate and inventory documents and artifacts released directly from his private estate. This item comes with his personal ink-imprinted signature stamp on the certificate of authenticity, which serves as his legally binding, authorized mark of verification and carries the full weight of a hand-signed signature.
Condition: Tour used with signs of wear, use, and storage. Hard shell case is included, heavily weathered from world tours.
SKU: RZC1251