Eddie autographed my guitar last nigh. SWEET!!!

**Ineedalogin** · 09.05.15, 10:01 AM

I have an EVH Wolfgang. Always wanted him to autograph it. Last night, I finally got my wish. :bowdown:

No, I didn't get to meet him personally. But I saw him autograph it. I found out what hotel the band was staying at (yes, juvenile, I know) and booked a room there. I checked in yesterday afternoon, brought my guitar down to the lobby in it's case and plopped down on the couch. It was a 5 star hotel, so I tried dressing decently (business casual, khakis & a dress shirt). When I sat down, this big muscle bound bald headed guy walks over to me. He's clearly security for the band (I can hear him coordinating the band's exist from the hotel with the hotel staff and the band's entourage).

The exchange goes like this:

Security: What you got there?! (Clearly pissed off at me)
Me: Just my guitar sir.
Security: Let me see it! (very pissed)
Me: (opening the case) It's my EVH Wolfgang, sir.
Security: What are you going to do with it?
Me: I was just hoping I could get Eddie to autograph it, sir.
Security: That's NOT going to happen. You will not get near him. You need to leave. The hotel is for paying guests only.
Me: I am a paying guest sir.
Security: If you approach the band, I will have hotel management kick you from the hotel.
Me: I'm not going to approach the band, sir. I'm going to sit here and just hold up the guitar as he walks buy. If he saw it, I was hoping he might be gracious enough to sign it.
Security: It's not about being gracious. These things need to be set BEFORE the show.
Me: Sir, I promise, I will not approach the band.

The security guard walks away. And I say to some guy sitting next to me on the couch, "Just a desperate attempt on my part to get an autograph."

The security runs over to me barking, "What did you say?!?!?!"

Me: I just said this was a desperate attempt on my part to get an autograph. (I had to repeat this like 4 or 5 times...he just kept saying, "WHAT?!")

He leaves me alone and I'm thinking there's no way this is gonna happen. Well, one of the guys he was talking to prior to approaching me, is a tall guy with long black hair. Clearly he's with the bad as the two of them were talking pretty closely as I arrived. As the security guard is engaging me, the tall guy left. He got on the elevator and took off. I didn't really think much about it.

Then, about 10 minutes later, the tall guy approaches me. He's extremely nice and says the following:

Band Management: Whatcha got there?
Me: My EVH Wolfgang, sir.
Management: Can I see it?
Me: (Opens the case) It's just a Special. I couldn't afford the USA Custom.
Management: Who's the autograph for:
Me: Me. I've been a huge fan since 1980.
Management: I can get that signed for you. What's your name?
Me: Mike
Management: Ok, Mike. The band is going to be leaving and there are some guests that have arranged a meeting. I'll bring your guitar over there then, and have Ed sign it. You just stay here.
Me: THANK YOU SIR. THANK YOU!

There were multiple exits from the hotel and I could see the family that was meeting the band in the distance. The band goes over (they're mostly hidden behind a wall, but I get brief glimpses), meets the family and signs some things and shakes their hands. The tall guy comes over afterward and hands me my guitar case. Sure enough, Eddie signed it and I'm doing my best not to freak out. I thank the guy profusely. He just looks at me, smiles, and says, "Thanks for repping the brand." Really nice guy. Wish I could remember his name. In the excitement, my mind went blank.

And the security guard, who was previously giving me the once over, came over to me and was now SUPER nice as well. He thanked me for being a fan and said I was the type of fan they like to see.

I'm not angry at the security guard. He did his job and he did it well. They don't know if I'm a psycho or not. So he made sure I wasn't going to do anything out of line or it would be my ass. I can't complain about that at all. He's paid to keep the band safe and hassle-free and that's exactly what he did. As a fan, I can appreciate that. Once the band was gone and he knew I wasn't a threat, he was super nice too. They're under a lot of stress so I completely understand what he was doing and I respect that.

I immediately took pictures of the autographed and texted all my friends. I'm still stoked about it now, 24 hours later. This is so freaking cool. I'm going to be buried with this guitar.

I took some pictures at the concert. Had great seats. I posted them in the "09.04.15 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Music Theatre" thread. They came out great. Check them out if you'd like.

**RRvh1** · 09.05.15, 10:05 AM

That's a great story!!!
Congrats on getting your guitar personally signed by rock's reigning 6 string wizard. Very cool, Mike.

Cheers

**Kasi VH** · 09.05.15, 10:19 AM

Many congrats!! I like how you planned that out, and I'm happy for you that it paid off. It was like the secret service were there guarding the president, lol Awesome how it played out, thank goodness for the guy with the long hair! Congratulations!!

Oh, and I like how you kept saying sir. Great story!!!

**fudd** · 09.05.15, 10:28 AM

I did the same when they stayed at the 4 seasons in 1995. I have a picture of me with the band somewhere. One with my 16 year old self drinking a beer with mike. Jesus I miss my youth.

Congrats bro. Cherish it. You went through enough. Lol.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**RRvh1** · 09.05.15, 11:24 AM

Just curious..., are you going to keep that guitar as a player, or are you planning on retiring it for the collectable aspect?
Either way, are you going to put some kind of clear coat protection on it to save the King's autograph and personal message?

**edwardv** · 09.05.15, 12:05 PM

It's nice Ed finally wished Mike well. Many of us have had some type of encounters with various band members over the years. I never got any autographs but I have met Anthony,Sammy, and Roth and had a small conversation with Mike. Stay classy!

**Ineedalogin** · 09.05.15, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by RRvh1

Just curious..., are you going to keep that guitar as a player, or are you planning on retiring it for the collectable aspect?
Either way, are you going to put some kind of clear coat protection on it to save the King's autograph and personal message?

Not going to retire it. The signature is in an awkward place. That's where my arm rests while playing. I gotta clear coat it, otherwise, it'll rub right off.

Already spoke to Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI. Going to take it over to them. They'll take out the electronics and clear coat the entire top. Then they'll buff the clear coating to a pristine clear shine. That will preserve the autographs. There is a small chance the clear coat reacts to Sharpie, but I'm hoping it doesn't (obviously). I had an autograph guitar preserved back in the early 90's when my piece of crap Gibson Epiphone was autographed by Van Halen on the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour (the entire band signed). The clear coating worked perfectly, so I'm praying it works out again this time.

Here's my original autographed guitar. The guitar is garbage, but I wouldn't get rid of it for the world. The autographs make it priceless to me. But to have a Wolfgang autographed by Eddie himself....man that tops everything.

**RRvh1** · 09.05.15, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Ineedalogin

Not going to retire it. The signature is in an awkward place. That's where my arm rests while playing. I gotta clear coat it, otherwise, it'll rub right off.

Already spoke to Elderly Instruments in Lansing, MI. Going to take it over to them. They'll take out the electronics and clear coat the entire top. Then they'll buff the clear coating to a pristine clear shine. That will preserve the autographs. There is a small chance the clear coat reacts to Sharpie, but I'm hoping it doesn't (obviously). I had an autograph guitar preserved back in the early 90's when my piece of crap Gibson Epiphone was autographed by Van Halen on the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour (the entire band signed). The clear coating worked perfectly, so I'm praying it works out again this time.

Here's my original autographed guitar. The guitar is garbage, but I wouldn't get rid of it for the world. The autographs make it priceless to me. But to have a Wolfgang autographed by Eddie himself....man that tops everything.

Right on!!!
Hope it works for you the second time as well. Extremely cool that you have two guitars that are inked. Impressive and priceless, like you said

**vhin04** · 09.05.15, 04:41 PM

That's amazing! Congratulations. Very clever strategy, it's a fine line between super fan and stalker for these security guys.

**Raldo** · 09.06.15, 04:21 AM

What a cool story!!

**10after12** · 09.06.15, 08:23 AM

That's fantastic that he signed your guitar (although I must say that I am a bit surprised) simply because I didn't think Ed signs anyone's guitars because of them possibly trying to sell an autographed guitar at eBay for profit. For that very reason, I'd say that's why the Gorilla was so adamant about not letting you bring it in.

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 09.06.15, 09:07 AM

That's pretty incredible and awesome that you now have TWO autographed guitars!! Congratulations!

**Ineedalogin** · 09.06.15, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by 10after12

That's fantastic that he signed your guitar (although I must say that I am a bit surprised) simply because I didn't think Ed signs anyone's guitars because of them possibly trying to sell an autographed guitar at eBay for profit. For that very reason, I'd say that's why the Gorilla was so adamant about not letting you bring it in.

That's why he personalized it. Autographs that are personalized are worth much less than straight signatures. It's one of the ways artist combat that kind of bull crap (where collectors try to snag autographs and then sell them for a profit). Can't say that I blame them.

I had two things going for me with this attempt:

1) The guitar is expensive. Even though it's just a Wolfgang Special and not a USA Custom, most collectors aren't going to invest $1000 in the hope of trying to recoup that on a sale later.
2) MOST IMPORTANTLY - it's an EVH brand guitar. I'm 100% positive he wouldn't have signed it if I showed up with anything other than an EVH brand guitar. I've read numerous stories where he refuses autographs for other guitars (even old Peavy's and Music Man's). That's why their management said to me, "Thanks for repping the brand." when he handed it back. There is no way I got the autograph if it wasn't on a EVH brand guitar.