Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $1,993
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
A rock legend reborn, the Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar embodies the rebellious spirit and raw power of Eddie Van Halen's iconic creation. Designed for musicians who crave both nostalgia and performance, this solid-body electric guitar is crafted from lightweight basswood, delivering a robust tone that cuts through any mix with clarity and power. The EVH Wolfgang humbucker, positioned with precision, produces Eddie's signature stinging highs and snarling mids, inviting players to unleash their inner rock god.
The quartersawn maple neck, paired with a 12"–16" compound-radius fretboard, provides a silky-smooth playing experience, perfect for both complex chord structures and rapid solo runs. The fast-playing fingerboard ensures effortless transitions, whether you're strumming rhythms or bending notes at breakneck speeds. Dive into sonic adventures with the Floyd Rose tremolo system, which allows for dramatic pitch bends and squeals while staying perfectly in tune, thanks to the D-Tuna feature for quick Drop D tuning.
Visually, the Frankenstrat stays true to its roots with a daring relic'd finish, featuring the iconic red, black, and white stripes. Every detail, from the dummy neck pickup to the "TONE" volume knob, has been meticulously replicated to honor Eddie's original masterpiece. If you're looking to channel the pioneering sound and style that revolutionized rock music, this guitar is your key to unlocking endless possibilities on stage and in the studio.
Key Features:
- Lightweight basswood body for clear, balanced tone
- EVH Wolfgang humbucker for Eddie Van Halen’s classic lead sound
- Quartersawn maple neck with 12"–16" compound-radius fretboard
- Floyd Rose tremolo with D-Tuna for versatile tuning
- Iconic relic'd red, black, and white striped finish
- Meticulously crafted details true to the original Frankenstrat
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Frankenstein |
| Body Material | Basswood |
| Body Finish | Satin Lacquer |
| Neck Material | Quartersawn Maple |
| Neck Shape | EVH Modified C |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 12"-16" compound |
| Fingerboard Material | Maple |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Black Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Jumbo Nickel |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" |
| Nut Material | Floyd Rose Locking |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | EVH Branded Floyd Rose Special Double-locking Tremolo with D-Tuna |
| Tuners | EVH Branded |
| Neck Pickup | Dummy Strat Single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Direct Mount Wolfgang Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume |
| Switching | Dummy 5-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | EVH NPS, .009-.042 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What makes the EVH Striped Series Frankie guitar unique compared to other electric guitars?
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The EVH Striped Series Frankie is modeled after Eddie Van Halen's iconic "Frankenstein" guitar, featuring a relic'd basswood body with a distinctive red, black, and white striped finish. It includes unique details like a dummy Strat neck pickup, a dummy 5-way blade switch, and a single EVH Wolfgang humbucker for a pure rock sound.
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How does the EVH D-Tuna system on the Frankie guitar work?
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The EVH D-Tuna system allows players to quickly switch between standard tuning and Drop-D tuning by adjusting the Floyd Rose locking tremolo. This feature enables seamless transitions for playing different styles and is ideal for live performances.
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Is the EVH Striped Series Frankie suitable for heavy rock and metal genres?
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Yes, the EVH Striped Series Frankie is well-suited for heavy rock and metal, thanks to its powerful Wolfgang humbucker pickup and Floyd Rose tremolo system. These features provide the aggressive tone and tuning stability needed for high-energy performances.
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What is the neck profile like on the EVH Striped Series Frankie guitar?
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The EVH Striped Series Frankie features a quartersawn maple neck with an EVH Modified C shape, providing a comfortable grip for fast playing. The compound radius fingerboard ranges from 12" to 16", offering smooth playability across all frets.
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Does the EVH Striped Series Frankie come with a case or gig bag?
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No, the EVH Striped Series Frankie does not come with a case or gig bag. These must be purchased separately to ensure the guitar is protected during transport and storage.
Videos
HaydenMaringer
UNBOXING THE $25,000 EVH FRANKENSTEIN
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar.
Build quality
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Keda Dye is preferred over Angelus leather dye for coloring a guitar body.
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For a 1978 Frankenstrat, use Duplicolor Colormatch spray cans in "Olympic white" and "gloss black" for authentic color matching.
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Using an ash body instead of basswood can lower costs and potentially alter the guitar's tonal characteristics.
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Using a soft wood body can cause trem posts to lean or tear out; consider harder wood for better durability.
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Mods and upgrades
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EVH low friction pots are actually Bourns pots, offering a looser feel compared to CTS pots.
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A 250k pot for the volume control shifts the resonant peak, enhancing low-mid tones and reducing shrill highs.
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Popular pickups for VH tones include Duncan JB, Peavey Wolfgang (bridge), Rio Grande Genuine Texas, and Dimarzio Tone Zone.
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Features and functionality
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EVH low friction pots are noted for turning more freely than regular volume/tone pots.
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Setup and maintenance
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Wiring can be challenging for beginners, requiring careful attention to avoid a shaky setup.
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Always follow the "measure twice, cut once" rule when drilling or making permanent changes to avoid mistakes.
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Splitting tasks into shorter work sessions helps maintain concentration and precision, reducing the risk of errors.
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User experience
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 10 Ratings
Artist usage
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John can be seen rocking a Van Halen Frankenstrat copy through his Dumble in this video of him and his band covering Panama.
Eddie Van Halen built his first guitar himself. "Some people call it Frankenstein... I call it my baby."
When asked by Guitar World about building the original Frankenstein, he said that it was built in "'74, I think? I was looking' through... if you notice in old pictures it had a Gibson sticker on it... that was the perfect thing. What I was trying to do was cross... cross-pollenate a Gibson with a Fender. This was way before Floyd... I didn't have the money! The guitar I wanted to play didn't exist. It was that simple... the body cost me $50, and the neck cost me $80."
The source link is the first of a series of videos in which Eddie details his experiences with the original "Frankenstein" and its replicas, the latter of which were designed by Chip Ellis of Fender.
John has acquired some new guitars over the last year or two and we'll get some pictures of them up soon. Out of the new additions, this one is his favorite--an EVH Frankenstein.
A friend of mine — Paul Cook, who used to be in our band — had a friend, Mark Katzen, who was building guitars. He built me an Eddie Van Halen replica. When I received the guitar, it felt like another extension to me. I didn’t want to put it down. I fell in love with it.
Josh Rand owns a custom-built "Frankenstrat" guitar, as confirmed by its listing on Reverb. The guitar is an EVH Eddie Van Halen Frankenstein Replica with additional modifications to resemble a Custom Shop relic, including a CTS 5000k pot, a 1971 quarter, eye hoops for the strap, and all the reflectors, as stated in the description provided by the source.
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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