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Career History
• Career History

A Photographic Journey - Paul Unkert

Taken from a library of photographs in Paul Unkert's personal collection. Our library wanders with Paul through the 1980's beginning with a guitar for Ed Van Halen created in somewhat humble conditions at the Kramer factory.

rule
Circa 1982 - 1983

Eddie Van HalenEddies destroyer buildOne of two doubleneck guitars that I built for Ed Van Halen. The other was Red-White-Black. Both were built at the exact same time as a matching set. 12/6 String. A Note of Interest: The tremelo is a Rockinger Tremelo System that was made in Germany and was likely the first Eddie Van Halen tremelo.


The guitar on the right was patterned off of Ed's Ibanez Destroyer and was my first build for Ed. One of two identical guitars that I had made.


Circa 1982 - 1983

Eddie Van Halen
NO HEAT! From the Kramer factory picturing myself with a blue headstock Frankenstrat that I made for Ed (the only one ever made) and Floyd Rose's personal guitar.

 

   Eddies destroyer build
NO AIR CONDITIONING! Again at the Kramer factory where I'm holding two of the first Frankenstrats that I built, which became some of Ed Van Halen's favorite guitars.


Circa 1982 - 1983

Eddie Van HalenAt the Kramer Factory,
The FIRST Kramer Carrera.


Eddies destroyer build

 

The FIRST Frankenstrat
that I built for Ed!


Circa 1982 - 1983

Eddie Van Halen
At the Kramer Factory, The FIRST Kramer Baretta. Used in an ad with ED.

 

   Eddies destroyer build
At the Kramer Factory, I'm posing here with Floyd Rose's personal guitar.


Circa 1982 - 1983

Eddie Van HalenEddies destroyer buildA bevy of beauties. Weapons from Ed's arsenal! The high water mark of Frankenstrat guitars that I made for Ed.

I built 10 - 13 Frankenstrats for Ed.



I made this guitar modeled after a piece of gold jewelry owned by Eddie Van Halen.


Circa 1982 - 1983

Eddie Van HalenEddies destroyer buildAt the Kramer Factory, Me and Paul Reed Smith with the “Hot For Teacher“ Frankenstrat. Wow - No grey hair on either of us!
Note: No strings on it yet! Before Ed ever saw it. Rock History hadn't even been created yet.


The “Hot For Teacher“ Frankenstrat.
My last guitar made for Ed.


Circa 1986 - 1987

Eddie Van Halen
This was an ad for BC Rich guitars and basses. Design by Randy. Paint by Tom Built by me.

 

   Eddies destroyer build
Me at the BC Rich factory


Circa 1986 - 1987

Eddie Van Halen
BC Rich days. Myself and Tom Henry.

 

   Eddies destroyer build
BC Rich days. Myself and Randall Waltuch.


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