Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (78)
$2,129.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (30)
$2,129.99
Musician's Friend
5.0 (2)
$2,129.99
zZounds
5.0 (6)
$2,129.99
Thomann
4.8 (33)
$1,466.00 $1,444.00 $22.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£1,299.00

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

What makes the EVH Striped Series Frankie guitar unique compared to other electric guitars?

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.

How does the EVH D-Tuna system on the Frankie guitar work?

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.

Is the EVH Striped Series Frankie suitable for heavy rock and metal genres?

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.

What is the neck profile like on the EVH Striped Series Frankie guitar?

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.

Does the EVH Striped Series Frankie come with a case or gig bag?

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.

HaydenMaringer

HaydenMaringer

UNBOXING THE $25,000 EVH FRANKENSTEIN

Video thumbnail for UNBOXING THE $25,000 EVH FRANKENSTEIN by HaydenMaringer

UNBOXING THE $25,000 EVH FRANKENSTEIN

HaydenMaringer

HaydenMaringer

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

  • Keda Dye is preferred over Angelus leather dye for coloring a guitar body.

    Source
  • For a 1978 Frankenstrat, use Duplicolor Colormatch spray cans in "Olympic white" and "gloss black" for authentic color matching.

    Source
  • Using an ash body instead of basswood can lower costs and potentially alter the guitar's tonal characteristics.

    Source
  • Using a soft wood body can cause trem posts to lean or tear out; consider harder wood for better durability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • EVH low friction pots are actually Bourns pots, offering a looser feel compared to CTS pots.

    Source
  • A 250k pot for the volume control shifts the resonant peak, enhancing low-mid tones and reducing shrill highs.

    Source
  • Popular pickups for VH tones include Duncan JB, Peavey Wolfgang (bridge), Rio Grande Genuine Texas, and Dimarzio Tone Zone.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • EVH low friction pots are noted for turning more freely than regular volume/tone pots.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Wiring can be challenging for beginners, requiring careful attention to avoid a shaky setup.

    Source
  • Always follow the "measure twice, cut once" rule when drilling or making permanent changes to avoid mistakes.

    Source
  • Splitting tasks into shorter work sessions helps maintain concentration and precision, reducing the risk of errors.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have successfully built partscasters even without extensive experience, suggesting it's feasible with pre-routed parts and basic handiness.

    Source
  • Patience is key: perform woodwork and electronics setup before painting to ensure correct setup and playability.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Projects can exceed $900 depending on parts, with some builders spending significantly more for tailored components.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 10 Ratings

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Artist usage

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See how John Mayer uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

John Mayer

Guitarist

John Mayer Trio

...
Verified via YouTube

John can be seen rocking a Van Halen Frankenstrat copy through his Dumble in this video of him and his band covering Panama.

See how Eddie Van Halen uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Eddie Van Halen

Guitarist

Van Halen

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Scott Ian uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Scott Ian

Guitarist

Anthrax

...
Verified via Photo

In this video, you can see Scott Ian playing this guitar.

See how Russ Parrish uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Russ Parrish

Guitarist

Steel Panther

...
Verified via Photo

russ is holding this guitar in the image

See how Wolfgang Van Halen uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Wolfgang Van Halen

Singer, Guitarist

Van Halen

...
Verified via YouTube

He play "Eruption" with his dad guitar in this video.

See how John Sykes uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

John Sykes

Guitarist

Thin Lizzy

...
Verified via Johnsykes

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.

See how Charlie Benante uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Charlie Benante

Guitarist, Drummer

Pantera

...
Verified via reverb.com

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.

See how Josh Rand uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Josh Rand

Guitarist, Bassist

Stone Sour

...
Verified via reverb.com

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.

See how Danilo Vicari uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Danilo Vicari

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In Danilo’s 2021 guitar collection video, he talks about his EVH signature frankenstrat. He removed the D-tuna because it caused tuning issues

See how Dagan Wilkin uses Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar

Dagan Wilkin

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Dagan built his own Frankenstrat at 16 years old.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Custom-Built "Frankenstrat" Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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lucas_wimmer

lucas_wimmer

Gear IQ 103

thatoneguitarbro

thatoneguitarbro

Gear IQ 181

tirishcop99

tirishcop99

Gear IQ 66

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