A remarkable guitar previously owned by the legendary Eddie Van Halen — and later by Mick Mars, the guitarist of Mötley Crüe — is anticipated to fetch a significant amount when it goes up for auction this year. This iconic guitar is a Kramer model that emulates Van Halen’s renowned “Frankenstein” guitar, featuring a striking paint scheme of red, black, and white. Van Halen famously played this guitar during the band’s Hide Your Sheep Tour in support of their album Diver Down throughout 1982 and 1983. Audiences in cities like Philadelphia, Caracas, Sao Paulo, and Buenos Aires witnessed its powerful sound during live performances.

This exceptional guitar will headline Sotheby’s upcoming “Rock & Pop” auction scheduled for October 24, part of the prestigious Grails Week event running from October 21 to 28. Alongside the guitar, the auction will showcase an impressive array of memorabilia from music legends such as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles. Sotheby’s anticipates that this guitar will achieve a sale price ranging from $2 million to $3 million.

Check out the captivating images of this guitar below.

Discover the Unique Features of Eddie Van Halen’s 1982 Kramer Guitar

The soon-to-be-auctioned Kramer guitar possesses distinctive personal touches from the late virtuoso Eddie Van Halen. One notable inscription on the body pays tribute to his ’80s guitar technician, Rudy Leiren, stating: “Rude – It’s Been a Great Ten Years – Let’s Do Another Ten. Eddie Van Halen.” This personal message not only highlights the bond between Van Halen and Leiren but also adds to the guitar’s storied history, making it a coveted piece for collectors and fans alike.

READ MORE: Van Halen Albums Ranked Worst to Best

This guitar has also been in the hands of other legendary musicians, including Mick Mars, who acquired it from Leiren. Mars utilized this instrument extensively while recording Mötley Crüe’s acclaimed 1989 album, Dr. Feelgood. The auction lot includes an authentic factory Kramer case and a letter of authenticity from Mars himself, expressing his fondness for the guitar: “… Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Also, it’s a great piece of history.”

This isn’t the first time a Van Halen guitar has commanded astronomical prices at auction. In 2023, a custom Kramer guitar that Van Halen famously played in the “Hot for Teacher” music video was sold for an astounding $3.9 million.