Gallery
Description
Features
Specs
Reviews
Q&A
EVH

collapse expand iconDescription

EVH has meticulously crafted a faithful tribute to Eddie Van Halen's legendary Frankenstrat. The Striped Series Frankie was designed to Eddie's exacting standards, from its iconic red-, black- and white-striped finish to its raw, snarling tone. This solid-body electric guitar is a shredder's dream come true, with a fast-playing fingerboard and Floyd Rose tremolo for dive bombs and squeals. The Striped Series Frankie is now available, ready to electrify audiences and turn you into a rock god.

Iconic Tribute to a Rock Legend

With its relic'd red, black and white striped finish, dummy neck pickup and angled bridge humbucker, the Striped Series Frankie looks like it was plucked straight from Eddie's hands in the early '80s. Details like the "TONE" volume knob, mismatched pickguard holes and five-way blade selector jammed in the middle position have been painstakingly recreated to capture Frankenstrat's rebellious spirit. This is a guitar that demands to be played loud and proud.

Built for Speed and Expression

The Striped Series Frankie's quartersawn maple neck and 12"–16" compound radius fingerboard were designed for shredding at breakneck speeds. Jumbo frets and an oiled neck back allow for silky smooth bends and rapid-fire legato runs. A sturdy Floyd Rose tremolo lets you dive bomb and squeal on command, while the D-Tuna quickly switches between standard and drop D tunings. Express yourself without limits on this guitar.

Raw, Snarling Tone

At the heart of the Striped Series Frankie's tone is the direct-mount EVH Wolfgang humbucker, wound to Eddie's exacting specifications. This pickup unleashes Eddie's signature lead tone, with stinging highs, snarling mids and thick lows. Run through a single volume control, this guitar provides instant access to that unmistakable brown sound that ruled the '80s. The lightweight basswood body resonates freely, amplifying your playing with clear, balanced tone.

A Timeless Classic Reborn

Nearly 40 years after Eddie Van Halen built his iconic Frankenstrat, EVH has crafted the ultimate tribute in the Striped Series Frankie. With its relic'd finish, era-correct details and raw, powerful tone, this guitar lets you channel Eddie's pioneering spirit. Experience the style and sound that changed rock music forever—only from EVH. The Striped Series Frankie electric guitar belongs in the hands of any serious Van Halen fan or shred guitarist.

Open Box EVH Striped Series Frankie Electric Guitar Level 1 Red with Black and White Stripes Relic
Open Box EVH Striped Series Frankie Electric Guitar Level 1 Red with Black and White Stripes Relic
Open Box EVH Striped Series Frankie Electric Guitar Level 1 Red with Black and White Stripes Relic

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Relic electric guitar modeled after Eddie Van Halen's "Frankenstein"
  • Frankie details include dummy Strat neck pickup and five-way blade
  • Basswood body with striped finish, relic'd with cosmetic wear and tear
  • Graphite-reinforced maple neck and fingerboard
  • EVH D-Tuna system allows easy flipping into Drop-D and back
  • Single open-coil EVH Wolfgang humbucker bridge pickup for pure sound
  • Floyd Rose locking tremolo system
  • Custom black Frankie pickguard with trademark mismatched holes
  • Master volume knob, deliberately mislabeled "tone" to match original

collapse expand iconSpecs

Body
  • Body shape: Double cutaway
  • Body type: Solid body
  • Body material: Solid wood
  • Body wood: Basswood
Neck
  • Neck wood: Maple
  • Joint: Bolt-on
  • Scale length: 25.5"
  • Truss rod: Carbon graphite
  • Neck finish: Oil
Fingerboard
  • Material: Maple
  • Radius: Compound
  • Fret size: Jumbo
  • Number of frets: 22
  • Inlays: Dot
  • Nut width/material: 1.687" (42.8 mm)
Electronics
  • Configuration: H
  • Bridge: Proprietary open-coil humbucker
  • Control layout: Master volume
Hardware
  • Bridge type: Tremolo/Vibrato
  • Bridge design: Locking 2-point tremolo
  • Tailpiece: Vibrato
  • Color: Chrome
Other
  • Number of strings: 6-string
  • Orientation: Right handed

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.57

28 Reviews

85%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

OK guitar
Holy….
Evh franky
Evh franky
Evh franky
I would buy this again!
I would buy this again!
The comfort of a relict guitar is awesome
Needed a setup, but now it's great!
EVH Frankie, believe the hype.
EVH Frankie, believe the hype.
EVH Frankie, believe the hype.

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Needed a setup, but now it's great!

Most of the frets buzzed on the 2nd and 3rd string below the 12th fret (even open). I had Guitar Center do a $50 set-up, and now it's all good. I don't know how EVH does it, but the back of the neck feels like it's been played for decades -- extremely comfortable on the skin. And doing bends on the stainless steed frets is like bending on glass -- no friction -- which I quite like. Sound-wise, the guitar sounds authentic. I'm using a Marshall DSL40C combo with an EVH speaker, and I think it reproduces the early Van Halen tone very accurately (IMHO, more-so than the EVH amps). Harmonics ring out easily. Regarding the dark color of the neck, (which doesn't look like any neck I've seen Eddie play), I don't like it. But I have a theory. EVH now sells guitars with maple necks that have been baked, and, at least in the pictures I've seen, they look dark like this. So maybe these necks have been baked... which makes me more open minded thinking it might not be the result of poor relicing. Regarding the price, when compared with other reliced guitars, this is comparable. But there's a huge "fun factor" here of playing a replica of a guitar that first had me mesmerized in the early 1980's. I'm glad I got it. This makes me want to check out some of EVH's other guitars, the ones with two pickups and that aren't so expensive.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

1

Not the quality one would expect of an expensive guitar

Purchased this guitar on 12/3 and had it one day. Unplayable. Where do I even start with the problems? I guess lets start with the set up. For a 2k guitar, one would think Guitar Center would at least set the guitar up or even attempt to set it up. Yeah, they didn't and it was in poor playing shape. The fret edges were extremally sharp and needed dressing. This was most likely cause from sitting in GC in the dry store and the neck shrunk up and frets exposed on the side of the neck. The trem was way out of whack. the string height was super high from the 12th fret up. I cant keep the guitar in tune and the drop d tuna, yeah, forget about it, I cant even get it to stay in drop d without it coming so badly out of tune that it cannot be played. A call to GC regarding the issues was told to just return it or go pay to have it worked on. pretty lousy service if you ask me. Not to mention. for a higher dollar guitar, to not even come with a case or gig bag is pretty lame. I ended up calling Fender. they advised me to bring it to an authorized service center which I did. it is now 12/30. Mind you I got it on 12/3 and had it one day. It is still being worked on and Fender did approve all the work that needed to be done to it. Was quoted 14 hours of work time needed. and yet, Still don't have it back. Maybe it was just bad luck on this guitar but, I think from the reviews I have seen from here and other sites there are some serious quality issues with this guitar. My personal recommendation, Steer clear of buying this guitar unless you are ok with all of the headaches that come with it.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing20
  2. Jamming16
  3. Recording8
  4. Small Venues6
  5. Rock Concerts5
Cons
  1. Craftsmanship4
  2. Fret Buzz2
  3. No eye hook for strap hook1
  4. Neck colors vary1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced22
  2. Novice3
  3. Professional Musician2
Pros
  1. Good Tone24
  2. Good Feel23
  3. Good Pick Up23
  4. Fun To Play22
  5. Solid Electronics16

Reviewed by 28 customers

  • Excellent sounding guitar

    5

    submitted6 months ago

    byMark

    fromLinden NJ

    First off I have the all red relic guitar and that it seems they are all made in Mexico. The neck plate on the back of the guitar has the serial number and origin of where it is made. The guitar sounds great no complaints there and feels fine. The D Tuna may be a hard to get out.

  • What a disappointment

    3

    submitteda year ago

    byDanny

    fromLos Angeles CA

    I bought this guitar and played it for 2 days, then returned it. Who wants to pay 2k for a guitar and then have to work on it. They don't even use top end hardware. I recommend building your own. It will cost you less and will have the best appointments, to your preference.

  • OK guitar

    3

    submitteda year ago

    byMike

    fromHanover,Pa

    I think the relic job is really cool and the neck is VERY playable but the Floyd is TOTAL garbage and just like others say the D-Tuna is nearly impossible to pull out....I have it in the shop now trying to get the Floyd to work a little smoother than it does...terrible that for nearly $2,000 you don't even get a gig bag....not worth the money at all and more of a wall decoration....would not recommend this ....

  • Sounds great, looks great, plays like butter!

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byGuero

    fromSeattle, WA

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Every time I see this thing in my house I have to pick it up and play it. Total incentive to practice my VH licks! Recommend pairing with EVH amp/effects or modeler that provides EVH tones.

  • Fender did a amazing job with this relic

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byRon

    fromHouston,Texas

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    It plays like a dream,wouldn't change a thing

  • Nice replica of the Frank

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byBrian

    fromCastle Rock, CO

    Saw that my local GC had one in stock so I went down to try it out and I liked it in store so I bought it. Once I got it home with my setup I was thrilled with my purchase. Nails the original VH tone faithfully and plays easily.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byJake

    fromMiami Florida

    What is the pickup situation with this guitar? Does it have Eddie's Gibson pickup?

    What is the pickup situation with this guitar? Does it have Eddie's Gibson pickup?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Bridge: Direct Mount EVH® Wolfgang® Humbucking. Neck: Dummy Strat® Pickup

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked bySeth

    fromWinchester, MA

    Does the guitar come with the alan keys to adjust the truss rod, Floyd Rose locking nut and the bridge? Also dies it come with an EVH case?

    Does the guitar come with the alan keys to adjust the truss rod, Floyd Rose locking nut and the bridge? Also dies it come with an EVH case?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    Yes. No case is included.

  • submitted3 years ago

    asked byAndres

    fromCalifornia

    Can this guitar be used to play blues and is it versatile.

    Can this guitar be used to play blues and is it versatile.

    Open Reply - Ronald
    It can be used to play the blues, it's a bit on the hotter side as far as the pickups go, so versatility in a way, as long as you like distortion.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byGreat Scott

    fromPalm Harbor, Fl.

    The specs aren't showing what brand/size of strings come on these. I'm assuming they are EVH 9-42. Can anyone say for certain what brand and size are stock on them?

    The specs aren't showing what brand/size of strings come on these. I'm assuming they are EVH 9-42. Can anyone say for certain what brand and size are stock on them?

    Open Reply - Thomas
    EVH® Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges). We do not stock them.

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byThe ultimate guitar newbie

    fromWindsor lock Ct

    Hi, :) in what country is this guitar made?

    Hi, :) in what country is this guitar made?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    This guitar was made in Mexico.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byTom

    fromCerritos, CA

    If I purchase it now, when am I expected to receive it?

    If I purchase it now, when am I expected to receive it?

    Open Reply - Beau
    Shipping takes 3 to 5 business days to arrive.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byTodd

    fromHowell, Mi.

    Is the guitar pictured the one that I will receive?

    Is the guitar pictured the one that I will receive?

    Open Reply - Beau
    No, this guitar that is pictured is a stock photo.