Frankenstrat

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Frankenstrat is a slang name given to modified Stratocaster guitars that have been built using parts from other guitars. One of the more famous Frankenstrats is Eddie Van Halen's (Which is often referred to simply as the Frankenstrat), and the "Frankenstraat Monster" created by luthier, Frankenstraat. In 2004, Eddie's fellow guitarist and friend Dimebag Darrell called him about getting a Fender Frankenstrat replica before the release date, but Dimebag was killed by a crazed fan later on in the year and Van Halen's Black and Yellow striped Bumble Bee guitar was buried with him. The striped pattern on Eddie's Frankenstrat (Usually red with black and white stripes, although many other color patterns were used by him) is often associated with the Frankenstrat, even though it appeared on normal guitars used by Van Halen as well as custom ones.

Eddie Van Halen's Frankenstrat featured a PAF from a Gibson ES-335, and a boogie bodies body and neck that cost Eddie $150. In 2006, Fender created 300 replicas of this legendary guitar, all of them being sold within fifteen minutes with a price tag of $25,000.

Frankenstrats can be seen as the beginning of the Development of the so-called Superstrats in the 1980's by Metal-artists. Another Frankenstrat would be Eric Clapton's Blackie. Blackie was made after he bought six strats in the Sho-Bud guitar shop in Nashville Tennessee. He went on to give one to George Harrison, Steve Winwood and one to Pete Townshend. With the remaining three he chose the best parts to make what is now famously known as Blackie.

[edit] External links

• EVH Frankenstrat Resource Page - Resource page from Shredaholic.com with information on building a replica of a frankenstrat
• Frankenstraat Guitars - Guitar body and neck replicas including Frankenstrat parts and how to forums on making your own guitar by world renowned luthier Frankenstraat.