Ernie Ball Music Man produced Edward Van Halen’s very first signature guitar between 1991-1995, soon after his ambassador relationship with Kramer dissolved.  I clearly remember that Eddie’s affiliation with Ernie Ball Music Man was really an unbelievable move at the time simply because he appeared to have evolved overnight and away from his iconic spray painted Frankenstrat guitars (that we all love) to preferring such a meticulously refined instrument.

Ernie Ball Music Man was certainly well positioned at the right time since they had just started working with Edward on a guitar string endorsement deal, along with Kramer, a couple years prior.  EBMM already had ideas about a new rock guitar with the AXIS name before Eddie decided to go with them, but allowing EVH the ability to design exactly what he wanted in order to put his name on the headstock was a no brainer.

Young Guitar, Exclusive!! Edward Van Halen, April 1991

* Check out the all natural front and back prototype that appears to be unfinished and has an AXIS logo on the headstock before it became the Edward Van Halen Signature Guitar!!  Also, the zebra neck pickup configuration in transposed.

1991 ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN Advertisement
Introducing the EDWARD VAN HALEN Guitar.

“I endorsed the guitar I used to play. I designed this one…Big Difference”.  Edward Van Halen

* Notice that the guitar that Eddie is holding in this ad is one of the very first EBMM prototypes that were built for him and before his signature graphic was ever applied to the headstock on the production models.

Guitar For The Practicing Musician, Van Halen’s Back!, August 1991

King Edward preferred Translucent Gold, so this prototype was his #1 before he went to Peavey.

* Notice the Original Floyd Rose bridge before it was replaced with the MUSIC MAN Licensed GOTOH GE1988T.  I believe that Fender had acquired the exclusive contract with Floyd Rose around this time so he made the switch as the first signature models went into production.

1993 SPECIFICATIONS CATALOG COVER

Edward Van Halen FEATURE PAGE

• NO MENTION of Translucent Green, but the ultra rare Metallic Gold and Opaque Black are still featured.  (Only 96 Translucent Green, 26 Metallic Gold, and 16 Opaque Black are believed to have been produced through the years.)

BACK COVER

• Specifications Catalog Revision Date: 9/93

It’s been said that Ernie Ball Music Man wasn’t able to produce enough guitars to meet the demands of Eddie’s fan base, and “satisfy his accountants”, so he simply needed to move to a bigger manufacturer. 

There’s no question that Edward loved his EBMM guitars, as do so many EVH collectors, but for whatever reason his affiliation with them had abruptly come to an end in the middle of 1995.

Peavey was a natural transition for Edward since he was already working with them on the 5150 amps.  Shortly after the split, Peavey introduced his Wolfgang guitar.

Learn More:  Van Halen News Desk [February 26,2009] | Sterling Ball on his Association with Eddie Van Halen

Guitar Player, May 1993, Page 39
Edward Van Halen with a rare EBMM hardtail model

1995 SPECIFICATIONS CATALOG COVER (JANUARY)

Edward Van Halen FEATURE PAGE

• NO Translucent Green, Metallic Gold, or Opaque Black colors offered in 1995.

BACK COVER

• Specifications Catalog Revision Date: 1/95

1995 SPECIFICATIONS CATALOG COVER (JUNE REVISION)

• Ernie Ball Music Man Specifications 6-95 pdf

Revised FEATURE PAGE

• Revised Specifications Catalog features an image of the guitar, but no name, and the Edward Van Halen Signature was removed from headstock

BACK COVER

• No mention of the Edward Van Halen model guitar
• Specifications Catalog Revision Date: 6/95

Van Halen – 316 Guitar Solo (Live)
February 25,2012
YouTube Video Credit: Hazardteam