Scottsdale, Arizona—In celebration of the 40th anniversary of 1978 landmark album Van Halen, EVH is privileged to unveil three tribute “Eruption” models, including the Super ’78, ’78 Eruption Relic, and ’78 Eruption.
On the cover of Van Halen’s eponymous debut album, Eddie Van Halen thrusts his black-and-white striped instrument towards the camera as if he’s showing you the future. He played this guitar on his unprecedented and mind-blowing instrumental track “Eruption”—hence the name of these new models— and almost immediately, this monumental instrument became a timeless icon, symbolic of a paradigm shift in guitar-driven rock and roll.
While many a fan has attempted to duplicate his guitar over the past 40 years, for the first time ever, EVH Gear is now recreating this instantly recognizable axe, as well as his period-correct case and case candy items.
Said Eddie Van Halen: “Of all the guitars I’ve ever built, the white and black guitar will always be my favorite because it did all the things I needed a guitar to do, which prior to that guitar did not exist. So much changed because of it. I recorded the first album with it and did the first world tour with it. The ‘78 Eruption tribute is as close to my original in sound and feel as humanly possible. I’m incredibly proud of it.”
Limited to only eight guitars, the Super ’78 model features all of the original “Eruption” guitar specs, including an ash Strat® body, bolt-on maple neck with oiled back finish, straight 12” radius maple fingerboard with katalox face dots, black side dots and 21 mowed-down jumbo frets, hand-cut black pickguard, EVH Frankenstein™ humbucking bridge pickup, vintage Fender® Stratocaster® bridge with a Kluson® brass block and Schaller® tuning keys. Its white-with-black-stripes motif paint job has been reliced to match the wear and tear from the band’s first-ever world tour, and is stylishly finished off with distressed eye-screw strap hooks and a 61071 stamped neck plate.
In a true homage to this pivotal period, EVH has also recreated Eddie Van Halen’s original G&G case (with a tour-worn outer treatment and distressed latches) and loaded it up with the very items used by him at the time, such as ’70s-era Fender Super Bullets, Van Halen ’70s tortoiseshell picks, ’78 chain strap and vintage 3-in-One oil can. This model is also accompanied with an exclusive collector’s booklet, a backstage pass vinyl cloth sticker and several autographed items including a certificate of authenticity, 8”x10” 1978 concert photo of Eddie Van Halen, vinyl copy of Van Halen and a rare original Van Halen Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies red vinyl.
Adding to the value and the once-in-a-lifetime collector’s nature of this package, Eddie Van Halen played “Eruption” from Van Halen in its entirety on each guitar and then signed the back of the headstock, which was video recorded for prosperity and will be presented to the instrument’s future owner on an EVH thumb drive.
Limited to only 30 guitars, the ’78 Eruption Relic has also been recreated down to every last nick and scratch and shares all of specs as the Super ’78: ash Strat® body, bolt-on maple neck with oiled back finish, straight 12” radius maple fingerboard with katalox face dots, black side dots and 21 mowed-down jumbo frets, hand-cut black pickguard, EVH Frankenstein humbucking bridge pickup, vintage Fender® Stratocaster® bridge with a Kluson® brass block, Schaller® tuning keys, reliced white-with-black-stripes motif paint job, distressed eye-screw strap hooks and a 61071 stamped neck plate.
The ’78 Eruption Relic comes in a recreated G&G case with reliced handle and latches, and is loaded with ’70s-era Fender Super Bullets strings, Van Halen ’70s tortoiseshell picks, ’78 chain strap and 3-in-One oil can. This model is also accompanied by an exclusive collector’s booklet, a backstage pass vinyl cloth sticker, 8”x10” 1978 concert photo of Eddie Van Halen, signed certificate of authenticity and autographed vinyl copy of Van Halen.
Limited to a 40-piece run, the ’78 Eruption guitar is as it appeared in its original pristine condition, prior to Van Halen embarking on its first-ever world tour.
It features an ash Strat® body, bolt-on maple neck with oiled back finish, straight 12” radius maple fingerboard with katalox dots, black side dots and 21 jumbo frets, hand-cut black pickguard, EVH Frankenstein humbucking bridge pickup, vintage Fender® Stratocaster® bridge with Kluson® brass block, Schaller® tuning keys, white-with-black-stripes motif paint job, eye-screw strap hooks and a 61071 stamped neck plate.
The ’78 Eruption comes in a recreated G&G case and is loaded with ’70s-era Fender Super Bullets, Van Halen ’70s tortoiseshell picks, ’78 chain strap and 3-in-One oil can. This model is also accompanied by an exclusive collector’s booklet, backstage pass vinyl cloth sticker, 8”x10” 1978 concert photo of Eddie Van Halen, signed certificate of authenticity and autographed vinyl copy of Van Halen.
