The Tremolos of Eddie Van Halen

[GuitarHistoricalArchives]

I've been exhaustively researching Floyd Rose (and other tremolo) history more than one person should. As the webmaster of vintagefloydrose.com, I felt it necessary to make a timeline of the tremolos Eddie used, because of course, he was there through most of the developmental phases.

Since his passing, I've been getting swamped with emails with newcomers wanting to know the difference between his trems. I figured this would help shed some light, but new information is always coming my way.



https://www.vintagefloydrose.com/evh-tremolos/

I've already made some website updates since making the video. If you have better photos of the ones already shown, please contact me. And of course, feel free to discuss! Floyd Rose history is far more complex than you could ever imagine. Trust me, I went down the rabbit hole.

[evhintexas]

Absolutely beautiful topic....
Awesome info to see

Thank You

[5150rob]

Awesome awesome video. The 1984 guitar did have a FRT 5 on it during the 84 tour when it had the original chrome one on it. That was a Whale tail. He took that bridge and original neck off after the 84 tour and put the replacement neck on it with a black hardware to include a German black Floyd. This is what he played Good Enough on with the A Bass string during the 5150 tour. It also went on the OU812 tour but there is no footage of Ed playing it live from what we can see. Now Wolf obviously has the guitar and the same Floyd is on it however it has a chrome saddle where the A Bass string saddle used to be.
but yes there was originally a whale tail chrome FRT 5 on this guitar in the beginning through the 84 tour.

Rob

[GuitarHistoricalArchives]

Got it! Thanks for the clarification. I did find a photo of the 1984 guitar with the FRT-5 and posted it. I'll put some more of that info on it sometime.

I'm still looking for pics and trying to determining the exact months he switched trems on certain guitars.

1. Bumblebee: The earliest month in 1978 he's seen with the guitar (fender trem) and earliest month in 1979 he's seen with the FRT-1.
2. Frankenstrat: The earliest month in 1982 he's seen with the gold FRT-4. Also, what month is he first seen photographed with the FRT-5 whale tail.

[5150rob]

I am pretty sure (and I have the mag haha its a classic photo) at least one of the first photos of Ed w the FRT5 was on the Young Guitar mag from 83 (Jan maybe) where he is holding the 5150 with no space tape yet wearing the red sport jacket and red pants. The guitar had been pretty recently painted. That photo is all over the net.

Rob

[fudd]

I could swear that Johnny beane has seen the guitar center guitar in person not behind the glass. He should be invaluable as much as Rob on this subject.


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