'78 Eruption

On the cover of Van Halen’s 1978 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 its nickname, and sure enough, this monumental instrument quickly became a timeless icon.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this instantly recognizable axe, EVH Gear is offering a limited 40-piece run of the EVH '78 Eruption guitar as it appeared in its original pristine condition, prior to Van Halen embarking on its first-ever world tour.

This model features all of the original specs including an ash Strat® body, bolt-on maple neck with oiled neck 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 and Schaller® tuning keys. Its white-with-black stripes motif paint job paint job is stylishly finished off with eye-screw strap hooks and a 61071 stamped neck plate.

In homage to this pivotal period, EVH has also recreated Eddie Van Halen’s original G&G case and loaded it up with the very items used by him at the time, such as '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, 1978 concert photo of Eddie Van Halen, signed certificate of authenticity and an autographed vinyl copy of Van Halen.

  • Limited to only 40 pieces worldwide
  • 25.5” scale length
  • Ash Strat® body
  • Bolt-on maple neck with oiled neck 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 a Kluson® brass block
  • Eye-screw strap hooks
  • Schaller® tuning keys
  • White-with-black stripes hand-painted lacquer finish (pristine condition)
  • 61071 Stamped Neck-Plate

CASE CANDY:

  • Van Halen signed vinyl
  • Custom-made period correct G&G case
  • ’78 chain strap
  • 3-in-One oil can
  • Signed Certificate of Authenticity
  • Two packs of '70s-era Fender Super Bullets strings in recreated packaging
  • Van Halen '70s tortoiseshell picks
  • Backstage Pass vinyl cloth sticker on the case plus one unused sticker inside
  • 8”x10” 1978 concert photo of Eddie Van Halen
  • Exclusive Eruption Collector’s Booklet

  • Color Black and White Stripes
  • Model 5107878010
  • Series Limited Edition
  • Street Price $7,878.78
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Features

Bolt-On Birdseye Maple Neck

Bolt-on is a type of neck construction that joins the maple neck to the body of the guitar with screws or bolts, resulting in a pronounced tone with more control. Graphite-reinforcement rods flank the truss rod for even more increased neck stability. Highly prized, birdseye maple is extremely hard, very dense and makes for a fast-feeling fingerboard.

12" Radius Maple Fingerboard with 21 Jumbo Frets

The higher the radius, the flatter the fretboard. At 12”, this flat maple fingerboard allows for easier chording and feels great for rhythm playing, but can also still handle bends during lead playing. Maple is a dense wood that produces bright, snappy tones, articulate notes with bite and a tight low end. Like most vintage guitars at the time, this Eruption tribute features a 21-fret design. The jumbo fret wire slightly increases the distance between string and fingerboard for seamless and comfortable bends.

Direct Mount EVH® Frankenstein® Humbucking

It’s alive! This direct mount EVH Frankenstein humbucker is wound to the exact specs as the original pup in Eddie’s cherished Frankenstein. This humbucker cuts through the mix with dynamic harmonics, shimmering highs and gritty mids that retain their authoritative tone under high gain.

Vintage Fender® Stratocaster® Bridge with a Kluson® Brass Block

True to Eddie’s original Eruption guitar, this instrument features a six-screw vintage style Fender Strat bridge with a Kluson brass block, which incorporates a distinctive, piano-like cadence to your overall tone and increases sustain.

Unique Appointments

This white with black stripes Eruption tribute model also features unique appointments such as Schaller® die-cast tuners, 61071 stamped neck plate, eye-bolt guitar strap hooks and brass nut.

Specs

General
Model Number 5107878010
Est. U.S. Street $7,878.78
Series Limited Edition
Color Black and White Stripes
Number of Strings 6
Orientation Right-Hand
Body
Body Finish Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Shape Sharp Radius Stratocaster®
Body Material Ash
Electronics
Bridge Pickup Direct Mount EVH® Frankenstein® Humbucking
Pickup Color Black
Controls Volume (500K EVH® Bourns® Low Friction Pot)
Pickup Switching None
Pickup Configuration H
Neck
Neck Material Birdseye Maple
Neck Construction Bolt-On with Graphite Reinforcement
Neck Finish Oiled
Neck Shape Custom
Scale Length 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard Radius 12" (305 mm)
Fingerboard Material AA Birdseye Maple
Number of Frets 21
Fret Size Jumbo
Nut Material Brass
Nut Width 1.685" (42.8 mm)
Position Inlays Katalox Dot
Truss Rod Nut Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Truss Rod Wrench 2.5 mm Hex
String Trees Butterfly
Headstock Licensed Fender® Stratocaster®
Neck Plate 61071 Stamped Neck Plate
Hardware
Bridge Vintage Fender® Stratocaster® Bridge with a Kluson® Brass Block
Hardware Finish Chrome
Tremolo Arm Vintage Chrome with Cream Tip
Tremolo Block Brass
Tuning Machines Schaller® Die-Cast
Pickguard 1-Ply Black
Control Knobs Aged White Stratocaster®-Style Skirt (Labeled "Tone")
Miscellaneous
Strings '70s-Era Fender® Super Bullets (.009-.040 Gauges)
Strap Buttons Screw-Eye Hook
Accessories
Case/Gig Bag Custom-made Period Correct G&G Case
Included Accessories Tremolo Arm, Hex Keys & User Manual