“Nails Eddie’s classic tone – complete with a worn-in relic’d finish”: EVH drops three new variants of the “civilian” Frankenstein Relic – including a Silverburst version
The latest high-spec tribute to Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstein ditches the stripes and comes in blue, silver and sunburst finishes for a limited time only
For 2024, EVH has unveiled three fresh looks for its stripped-back shredder: Vintage Sunburst, Blueburst and – our particular favorite – Silverburst. If Adam Jones and Bill Kelliher ever joined the SuperStrat army, this is what they’d be playing.
It’s great to see these models getting a fresh lick of paint, but otherwise, they’re spec’d as per last year’s guitars – and yes, that means the neck pickup is only there for show, as per the original Frankie. You can connect it up if you so desire, however, to pair with the high-output Wolfgang bridge humbucker, which EVH reckons “nails Eddie’s classic tone”.
The guitar’s basswood body comes “complete with a worn-in relic’d finish”, and is paired with an EVH Modified C Backshape-profile svelte quartersawn maple neck. The maple fretboard boasts a 12”-16” compound radius and is fitted with 22 jumbo frets.
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EVH Limited Edition Frankenstein Relic Series in Silverburst(Image credit: EVH Gear)
EVH Limited Edition Frankenstein Relic Series in Vintage Sunburst(Image credit: EVH Gear)
EVH Limited Edition Frankenstein Relic Series in Blueburst(Image credit: EVH Gear)
Hardware is as you’d expect, with a D-Tuna Floyd Rose tremolo for divebombs and instant access to drop D tuning, plus a brass tremolo block, 1.69” locking nut and EVH-branded Gotoh tuners.
EVH expert Chris Gill certainly rated the Frankenstein Relic in his review earlier this year, concluding that it “provides all of the vibe, tones and high-performance attributes of the Frankenstein guitar in a package that allows players to make their own visual and aural statements.”
The new Limited Edition Frankenstein Relic Series models are available now for $1,549. EVH Gear has more info.
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New for 2024 Limited Edition Frankenstein Relic Series | EVH Gear - YouTube
Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.