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 1987. This was the second guitar Zeke custom built for Edward. 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.
The guitar arrives in remarkably raw, production-used condition, complete with the gritty essence of the road and the instrument is custom stamped with EV5150 on the rear back plate, it is also adorned with ten vintage white guitar picks—each printed with "OU812" on one side and Edward's printed signature with 5150 on the other—with nine still affixed to classic gaffer tape and one wedged directly into the strings near the nut along with the classic used cigarette butt in the usual spot, behind the nut and before the low E tuning peg. This masterclass collector's lot includes a notarized letter of provenance directly from and signed by Zeke Clark, two 8x10 color photos of Zeke with the guitar, two full sets of strings, and one incomplete set, and guitar strap. The instrument is housed in its original plush-lined hard shell case, heavily weathered by world tours and decorated with twelve authentic backstage passes affixed to the exterior. The handle is further peppered with three vintage luggage tags, along with a custom-made 1984 tour laminate, and a rare 1988 Monsters of Rock Staff laminate. This curated guitar offers elite collectors an unparalleled, direct connection to the hands of a musical genius and the master technician who shaped the sound of an era.
Additional Information: The 1987 5150 model holds historical significance in rock music, marking the era of Van Halen's albums "5150," "OU812," and "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge." This iconic instrument embodies the culmination of Van Halen's peak years and the transition into the Sammy Hagar era. The album “5150” itself was the band's first No.1 album, setting a new tone for the band with hits like “Why Can’t This Be Love.”
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. The guitar remains in a raw, production-used state.
SKU: RZC1250