For generations of guitarists, the red, white, and black striped “Frankenstein” guitar is more than just an instrument, it’s a mythic artifact. And for Myles Kennedy, the moment he finally held the iconic guitar once wielded by Eddie Van Halen was nothing short of surreal.
“Was it a total, Excalibur-level experience?” Kennedy reflected with a laugh. “I don’t even know how to articulate that.”
The comparison is fitting. Much like King Arthur’s legendary sword, Eddie’s Frankenstein guitar has taken on a near-mystical status in rock history, a symbol of innovation, rebellion, and technical brilliance. Built and modified by Van Halen himself in the mid-1970s, the guitar became synonymous with his groundbreaking sound and stage presence in Van Halen.
A Sacred Relic Of Rock
Kennedy, known for his soaring vocals and intricate fretwork with Alter Bridge and alongside Slash in his solo band, has long cited Eddie as a formative influence. Like countless players who came of age in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Kennedy studied Van Halen’s phrasing, harmonic ideas, and fearless experimentation.
But nothing prepared him for the tactile reality of holding the Frankenstein.
“You’re aware that this instrument changed the course of guitar playing,” Kennedy explained. “It’s not just a guitar, it represents a shift in what was possible.”
He described the experience as deeply emotional, noting that the guitar seemed to carry the energy of its creator. “There’s a weight to it, beyond the physical. You can almost feel the history embedded in the wood.”
The Guitar That Changed Everything
The Frankenstein — famously pieced together from various Fender-style parts and finished in its unmistakable striped paint scheme, became the weapon behind revolutionary techniques like tapping, dive bombs, and harmonic squeals that redefined rock guitar. Songs like “Eruption” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love” didn’t just top charts, they rewrote the rulebook.
For Kennedy, holding the guitar was a reminder of the fearless creativity that defined Eddie’s approach.
“What made him different was the joy,” he said. “You could hear it. There was this sense that he was discovering something in real time.”
Carrying The Torch
Though Kennedy has carved out his own identity as a guitarist and songwriter, he acknowledges that Van Halen’s spirit looms large over modern rock. “We’re all downstream from that,” he admitted. “Whether you realize it or not, if you play rock guitar, you’re influenced by Eddie.”
The moment with Frankenstein wasn’t about imitation, however. Instead, Kennedy saw it as a tribute, a chance to connect, however briefly, with a creative force that reshaped the instrument.
“It was humbling,” he concluded. “You realize you’re just part of a much bigger story.”
For a guitarist who has shared stages around the world and collaborated with some of rock’s biggest names, it takes something extraordinary to leave him speechless. But when it comes to the Frankenstein, the sword in the stone of rock ‘n’ roll, even Myles Kennedy can struggle to find the right words.
Leave a Reply