Sterling Ball on his association with EVH
From Ernie Ball’s site, Music-Man.com site:
Sterling Ball wrote this about his association with Eddie Van Halen:
I guess I have to talk about EVH…
This is a edited message that I responded to on our forum about the old 5150 guitar strings.
It is an example of you never know when you take a little creative initiative where it can take you.
5150 strings are what put EVH and I together….
For years the legend was that he only used Fender strings that had been boiled. We had dealings with Rudy Leiren, EVH’s high school buddy/longtime tech on other stuff but they kind of kept a lot of the mystery of EVH’S sound. A lot of the stuff was just playing with people like David Lee Roth Paternity insurance, no brown m&m’s and stuff…..
So a Guitar World Magazine cover around 1989 or 90 had EVH standing in the hovel known as 5150 Studios…He had just named the studios that and had fell in love with the whole 5150 idea.
Scattered on the ground at his feet were some real acme string envelopes…..I thought, hmmmmm another myth debunked….If he has those dogs we can kill it for him. The challenge is how do I get his attention?
So I sneak in the art department when my dad was at lunch (back then that was his turf)…….I took stencil and made red labels with a very funky black stencil with 5150 in big letters and guitar strings in small…… I went to the factory and scraped up some old pure nickel and had the guys make them in Eddie’s gauge…I sent them to Rudy who showed then to Eddie and the very next day the phone rings and its EVH.
He said ” I just got these strings and they are hysterical and great strings too…thanks man….” I said “Do you want to know what would be more hysterical?” He bit on the bait and I said ” How about if you could make a bunch of money and have your own brand of guitar strings at the same time” He was all over it and said when can we get together?
My dad was a pilot and had a single engine Bonanza…he and I flew to LA and picked up EVH, Rudy (who was not small) Engineer Donn Landee and another guy and we flew to the factory in SLO. I remember taking off at Van Nuys and a loud buzzer went off and I thought for sure it was weight related (Don’t crash Dad!) but we made it fine.
When we got to the factory I gave them a tour and Eddie got to drive some of my Dad’s cars. It was time to talk business. I had passed the groups test. I said one thing. ” I understand that you have a relationship with Kramer (secret ownership) It’s been great meeting with you but I am not in the business of designing products for competitors….Are you sure that you can do this?” He said ” I wouldn’t (Bleepin’ )be here if I couldn’t”. He liked my royalty deal and it was to the races, or so I thought.
A few weeks later my good friends at DAddario (this business is actually quite friendly) called me and said “Kramer just sent this string package to us to duplicate and it looks like something you were involved with….whats the deal?”
I called Eddie and said, “WTF….You gave me your word”…..He said “I don’t know anything about it.”
I said that I anticipated this and had registered as a trademark 5150 for guitar strings in between the time of sending him the strings and his visit and that if there were going to be 5150 strings I would be involved. He said “I own 5150!” I said “Not for guitar strings” He said “Are you trying to rip me off?” I said “No, I won’t come out with them if you aren’t involved but you can’t come out with them if I’m not involved” I told him I would give him the trademark in exchange for a 20 year license. The attorneys said money had to change hands so I sold it to him for $20.00 but actually as a joke I told him I would only accept a bowling ball….True story I sold the 5150 trademark for a bowling ball. (Oh yeah and a 20 year license that I gave back when we separated….something I didn’t have to do, btw Karma is a good thing.)
It turns out Kramer was trying to mess with me. Eddie had no idea that they had done what they did. They sent me a letter saying that they had to be involved with EVH as he was a silent owner and was contractually obligated to include them in any products in the music business. (The original 5150 strings were Kramer by Ernie Ball on the back of the label) So I made a a deal where I would sell the strings to Kramer and they would pay EVH the agreed upon royalty. A couple of years went by and EVH’s in my opinion over her head junior accountant turned business manager called and said “You have never paid us royalties, I want an accounting immediately or I will issue a cease and desist order. I said “Wait a minute…Kramer is my customer I have paid them promptly and have zero obligation to provide you with an accounting. If you haven’t been getting royalties talk to Kramer.” She asked for the accounting again and I repeated that I didn’t have to but added, “If you ask Kramer for an audit and send me proof then I will give you an audit”
Lets just say that was the end of EVH and Kramer. Our accounting was perfect and without casting any aspersions or allegations there allegedly a disconnect between the receiving and paying of royalties on Kramers part to EVH. EVH went red assed mad and severed the relationship with Kramer.
The in my opinion over the head business manager (Who later got hers…thank god.) was now in the position of finding a new guitar company for EVH. There wasn’t anything that jumped out at them. I said “How about if I make a guitar in the interim?” We dont make enough to satisfy the demand but I can promise a great guitar, and we can make him anything he needs. We quickly designed and built a guitar that Im very proud of. Eddie made great music and some decent royalties. We made whatever he needed from double necks to baritones.
The rest is history and most of the ending history is full of rumor and falsehoods and hurtful internet gossip. The relationship was a time bomb from a personal and business relationship. EVH had some well publicized issues and there was never any way where it could make the business people happy. We just weren’t big enough, and EVH and I hit the wall.
The less said the better. It was ugly and didn’t have to be. We weren’t the only company that had the privilege of working with EVH. We weren’t the only company that parted ways in a difficult manner. I take it as a backhanded compliment that there is more interest in our era than the others. Maybe thats who some of the BS is out there.
I enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the creative process and be an integral part in a very important period of a gifted musician.
But like most things with my family it started with a little creativity, integrity, and a guitar string.
Filed under: Eddie Van Halen
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February 26th, 2009 at 8:35 am
“How about if you could make a bunch of money and have your own brand of guitar strings at the same time”. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the bottom line these days…
February 26th, 2009 at 9:09 am
“How about if you could make a bunch of money and have your own brand of guitar strings at the same time”. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the bottom line these days… (2)
February 26th, 2009 at 9:18 am
“How about if you could make a bunch of money and have your own brand of guitar strings at the same time”. that sure seems to be eddies mantra these days, i mean cumon, 3,000 for the new wolfgang? whats with that? thats how much the 5150 III costs.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Let me get this straight. You people are *upset* that EVH is selling guitar accessories?
What is wrong with people?
Do you understand that that’s what famous musicians do?
February 26th, 2009 at 9:37 am
That’s telling them Adam!!!!!
February 26th, 2009 at 10:00 am
I like to read anything on EVH, AVH, DLR and MA, so this article is fine with me.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Ed is not the only one who sells products of his talent. No one has to buy them, but I guess enough people do to justify making more stuff. I recommend his phase 90, sounds great.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Back in the day, I bought a 5150 2×12 combo online based on the For Unlawful album sound and guitar mag interview hype; Lucky I bought it used and not new; All I could get for it was a TC Electronic Chorus/Flanger (beat up) and $150 cash for the amp; NEVER buy an amp without playing it first (MY BAD), no matter who is putting their name and reputation on it; I went back to a MARSHALL w/EL-43 tubes (home sweet home)…
February 26th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Adam says:
Let me get this straight. You people are *upset* that EVH is selling guitar accessories?
What is wrong with people?
Do you understand that that’s what famous musicians do?
Brian says:
Ed is not the only one who sells products of his talent. No one has to buy them, but I guess enough people do to justify making more stuff. I recommend his phase 90, sounds great.
You’re missing the point. No problem with musicians selling stuff off the back of their achievements. I’ve got a Steve Vai endorsed pick up in my Strat. But there’s something that stinks when when the once mighty EVH can command the front cover of guitar player (or whichever mag it was) and an eight page spread with what amounts to no more than a great big ad, despite not having produced any music in the last 10 years. This is a has-been milking it while he’s still got us on the hook. Believe me, it pains me to say this stuff - I’m the biggest VH fan out there. But it’s starting to look like Ed’s going one way… and it ain’t into the studio. Really hope I’m wrong.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:54 am
By the way, guitar players should never design guitars; They should PLAY guitars (with the exception of LES Paul); Remember the Schon guitar (Excellent neck, but BUTT UGLY ridiculous); I’m sure the Wolfgang plays great, but has always been ugly as S**T, The new Zakk Wylde monstrosity is another prime example, The Phil Collen model from Jackson, The Floyd Rose model guitar(yikes!), the second Dimebag Darryl guitar, The Carvin Alan Holdsworth model;
The red Charvel Alan Holdsworth & the EVH Charvel from VHII album are great, but were designed by somebody else…
February 26th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I don’t see what guitar related products has to do with whether or not EVH goes back in the studio. I never get tired of the classics.
February 26th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Really, a relationship with EVH that went bad??? Get out! Never heard of such a thing. More evidence of who was the “common denominator” in all the drama.
Now about the money - I once bought a skateboard on Ebay that was professionally striped red, white, and black. I paid $25 for it. When I tried to turn around and sell it on Ebay for a profit, I received a threat from ELVH, Inc (Edward’s company) telling me that the skateboard was not licensed. ELVH proceeded to make Ebay pull my auction. It was a $50 auction for one (1) skateboard. GREEDY!
February 26th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I miss the days of real Atomic Junk: Charvels and Kramers and Marshalls, oh my. Mostly, I miss the days of EVH making just about any ol’ piece of crap guitar sound good. His “aw, shucks” attitude, blistering riffs and screaming licks; all with a wink, a smile and a thumbs up.
But we all grow, change, mature, whatever. EVH owes us nothing nor are we obligated to lap up every crumb he throws, be it music or instruments.
February 26th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I love this guitar and the sound that came out of it.
February 26th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Is it me, or was this article all over the place? STOP DOING THE DRUGS DUDE!
February 26th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
To iwannaberr,
You think it’s “greedy” of EVH to try to protect his brand by stopping the auctions where people are selling illegal items that infringe on his trademarks? Interesting.
Yeah, Ed sure is a meanie for trying to protect his trademark! Let me ask you, if you were making something, would you let people bootleg it & rip you off?
Again, what the heck is wrong with people? Why are people so angry? Sometimes I wonder if people who post on message boards are, in general, not as happy as people who don’t?
I’ve enjoyed this website for 13 years now, but ever since they started accepting comments, I’ve been pretty amazed at gets posted here by VH fans. The negativity is disgusting and disturbing at times.
February 26th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Adam,
Take it with a grain of salt. Seriously, if you’ve ever been on some of the message boards you’ll see that it’s the way it is.. It’s unfortunate, but true.
February 26th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
This was when Ed was at his best, awesome guitar, cared about the fans and the music. Great hair and a big smile. He looks like he is actually having fun. We wont see this ever again.
February 26th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I really can see all sides of this issue. I am a VH Fan first and foremost and also a “Consumer” I’ve recently purchased the 5150 III (BTW it REALLY Rocks!!!). I own several other VH Items guitars amps, strings picks etc etc etc blah blah blah.
I saw the last Tour 5 times 3west/2east coast. Probably 20 times total. I moved to LA Because of VH 20+ years ago. I really can say that there aren’t any fans who love VH more than I. That being said, I really am getting bummed at the constant crush of consumerism being funneled down the pipe.
Keep in mind EVH is my all time favorite musician and VH the GREATEST BAND EVER but when is it going to be about the music again?
Someone made a comment about “Atomic Junk” and I agree. There is too much emphasis put on us buying $10 Strings and $150 concert tickets $3000 guitars and not enough on what got him there in the first place…
Innovation of Music and Craft Intensity in playing and Passion to do it like nobody else.
When I was 15 I walked into a guitar store for the first time I showed the salesman a picture of Ed with the Frankenstrat I said “I want one like this!” he let me know Ed made that and that was the only way I could get one was to make it myself. So I did I began building guitars in shop class and carving out my own way… Just like Ed.
Point being, I saw that he did that not only with guitars but in his playing as well and it made me want to be the best me I could be too.
Now all I see is BUY THIS BUY THIS BUY THIS!!! I’m sure he cares but WTF WACF tickets were $8 and now you got hock a nut to see a show.
Get back to your roots Ed, get back to playing, You’re a great pitchman but enough is enough.
We deserve an amazing record and a reasonably priced tour.
February 26th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
To all the comments defending ‘poor Eddie Van Halen’ here’s the deal….he is a has been who is hawking his product instead of putting out inspired new music…its like paying for a set of new Porsche rims but Porsche hasn’t made a new car in ten + years…and if you don’t like others comments when they differ from yours YOU SHOULD BUILD A TIME MACHINE AND MOVE TO NAZI GERMANY….freedom of speech and freedom of opinion…even if it is a misguided agreement with rank capitalism and greed….
February 26th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
THE ONE COMMON DENOMINATOR IS ‘GREEDY VAN HALEN’…TOO MUCH COKE IN THE EIGHTIES I GUESS…..HA HA HA HA…
February 26th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Seems like since Ed decided to marry his “publicist” its all about the product.Hopefully this includes new music.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Personally I don’t EVH has recovered from the VH3 debacle. I liked VH3 but can see why people didn’t.
February 26th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I’ll admit, I love that the VHND accepts comment from us. I know I’m pretty rude to some with my big mouth, but that’s because a lot of you slam the most talent mother fucker’s in rock n roll history. Enjoy the music and let go of the drama!!!!!! Shit, none of us are in EDVH’s shoes and if your believing everything you hear or read here or anywhere else you’re are likely to be narrow minded. That, leads to being a fuckin poser, like some that frequent this site. You posers know who I’m talking about.Deep down inside you are truly ashamed. I bet you poser’s can be converted and be a true fan, because you really fuckin do love the tunes provided by the above slammed. C’mon EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!!
February 26th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I’ve lost alot of respect for the greateast living guitarist…poor mgt..and poor decision making.
Where’s eddie leffler when you need him. miss you ed.
February 26th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Nothing against accessories, it’s great but what ticks me off is that the new Wolf is $3000 when in an interview ed said “I’m not doing this for financial reasons”
Complete bull
February 26th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I don’t think so Mike…..Sammy and Mikey would be talking smack…
February 26th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I mean wouldn’t be….sorry Sammy and Mikey
February 26th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
EVH Wolfgang $3000.00, Ibanez Steve Vai JEM77V $2500.00, Joe Satriani JS20TH $6000.00, Gibson Peter Frampton custom Les Paul $4400.00, Fender David Gilmour Strat $4000.00-$4800.00. This seem’s to be the hot topic of the week. Everyone was bitching when Ed was a hermit, now he is doing interviews. I guess you can’t please everyone.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
So how does one patent a number ? 5150 is a police code
February 26th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
And colors ? red, white, black, stripes ? Oh yeah, you invented that too ?
February 26th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
To Adam:
I didn’t know that something I just purchased on ebay wasn’t licensed. My point is that Ed’s lawyers are scouring ebay and threatening people over a $50 skateboard sale? If you read the Ball article, it sounds like Ed’s people were screwing Ball over on licensing, doesn’t it. GREEDY!!
P.S. I paid $80 to see the 2004 reunion, and when they couldn’t sell enough tix, they reduced the price to $25 for my same section. Sammy was pissed at how much EVH wanted for Tix. No wonder Ed supports the Ticketmaster merger.
February 26th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
To Adam again:
I think people post negative things on this site because we are pissed that EVH hasn’t been doing shit for his fans except trying to get their $$. How much was a Fender Frankenstrat? $25,000??? What the hell. Make some music, make a DVD, and for fucks sake, update van-halen.com once and a while.
P.S. Do you represent ELVH Inc?
See, I am happy!
February 27th, 2009 at 5:48 am
If anyone has read Valerie’s book, then you would know why the Ernie Ball deal went sour. The accessories thing displayed in this post is so hyped in comparison to the real issues surrounding the EVH Ernie Ball debacle that it honestly sounds like a hoax (whether or not it really is). I’ll side with those saying “take this with a grain of salt”.
February 27th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Maybe we’re all pissed because we miss the genius. Maybe all this griping amounts to a great big compliment…
February 27th, 2009 at 8:09 am
To Karl ,Adam and Scar. The only people whining on this site are you . Either you three work for ticket bastard or have stock in it, you work for E.L.V.H inc ….or you’re just PUSHOVERS who will accept anything your rock star daddy tells you because he’s so talented……READ: IT IS ROCK AND ROLL TO BE PISSED AND SAY SO……EDDIE IS A MONEY GRUBBING HACK
February 27th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Hey pushtoshove, nice try gomer, I think your a bit confused, I only tell you posers what you don’t want to hear. Shit gomer, if money is your problem you should quit your job at Jack In The Box and look for a better paying one. Oh, before I forget, remember your nut sack is probably the size of a skin tag - so take it easy one them boys. One day, maybe, you won’t be such a little bitch - well, I seriously doubt that, so if you can borrow some money from your parents, you should invest it in Kotex stock. I bet your a buddy of CaboWabo Tequila Man too. Maybe you should switch to thug pop! It’s only rock N Roll - and I like it. Have a good one gomer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Pushtoshove, if I were you (thank the good lord I’m not), I’d look up the word “Pushover” in the dictionary. Hey I’ll do it for you - PUSHOVERS: Stupid posers who are easily persuaded, influenced or seduced by their own bullshit. Then it says, “refer to pushtoshove”. How about that! Chalk it up to experience.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Pushtoshove, one more thing if you don’t mind. Why did Jack In the Box discontinue Monster Taco’s from their menu???????
February 27th, 2009 at 9:40 am
It’s very simple..Edward Van Halen has never been a business man.
He started out very humble and in the early days actually wasn’t into all the spotlight being on him: Enter Roth…which took alot of pressure off Ed.
Then as many rock stars go…things changed. I don’t blame Ed for standing up to anyone trying to “rip him off”- there isn’t a Band out there that hasn’t been taken advantage of.
As the success grew, he went from the fun lovin’ guitar hero to the cynical, everyone is out to get me type. It even showed towards the end of the Sammy era..not only from a business perspective but to the way in which Van Halen was run as a band…thank Don Landee for that. I once heard Ed and Al jumped all over Sammy for selling his Tequila during the shows…lawyers got involved etc…are you kidding me? Give Michael Anthony a reduced share on the Reunion Tour…are you kidding me? As reverend Al always says…the proof is in the pudding.
I don’t knock him for wanting his son to play along side him…but c’mon…Ed give us a break. Unfortunately, you can’t force a friendship…but it sure would be nice to see Sam and Mike back. At least they can sing and play. And that’s another thing..Ed always said he would never go out and do a clown show for the fans..well he did on the last tour with Roth and his son..
Oh well…it was a good run.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Well who cares he is EDDIE FUCKEN VANHALEN NEED I SAY ANYMORE
The greatest Guitar player who has ever walked the face of the earth.
I don’t think EVH lost any sleep over this Crap
February 27th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Tommy, dude it sounds like your going wide, running long and feeling lost!!! It’s not to late - flip on over and become a true fan again! Shit, enjoy all the VH ,DLR, and Sammy tunes out there. Don’t become like pushtoshove or cabo wabo tequila man. For Christ sake man, do you really want to be part of the hidebound poser club? Why in the world would you want to be broken down and dirty, dressed in rags like those two clowns when you could seaside sittin, just a smokin and a drinkin on ringside - on top of the world - like the rest of us true fans!
February 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Is SCAR really DLR? It sounds like it. But I don’t think so. With all this talk of posers, I think SCAR is the real poser with his David Lee Roth-esque rants. Sounds like the stuff DLR would say if ranting and defending Eddie. Impersonating some ones style and making it appear to be your own natural way makes you the biggest poser of all.
February 27th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Kenny, it’s about fucking time someone grew a nut sack and gave me a good reply. Dude, this ranting is nothing more than a way to remind posers why they loved the VH, DLR and Sammy music in the first place. Shit, I write this crap because it sounds like these posers forgot about the music and just want to bitch about money. I threw these phrases in to help these posers remember what the Van Halen message is all about. Shit, these posers they can’t hear the tunes past their own bullshit - can you? I know when I crank up some of these tunes it makes me wanna have a good fuckin time. C’mon when your cranking up Fair Warning and dirty movies is jamming do you think about all the money bullshit the others posers cry about, or are you jamming and singing along just having a good fuckin time? Fucking unreal!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Scar with all do respect..I am a true Van Halen fan. Always was and always will be. All incarnations I may add. If that ain’t true i don’t know what is.
Now that we have that out of the way…you have to admit Ed and Al are pretty much at the top of their respective games..30 years later…I just hate to see it wasted on a singer who smokes too many cigarettes- can barely remember the words, and a 16 year old, who needs to put his time in and earn his dues before walking into a Van Halen performance. He’s a good kid, but let him get some schooling or start his own band. We don’t have too many more years here…it’s just unfortunate this has to be another one of Ed’s science experiments.
February 27th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Tommy, I’m gonna give you the benefit of a doubt. Shit, let’s just go with the flow and see what the VH boys put out. If I were a betting man, it’s gonna be some kick ass music that will be well worth the wait. We all know that in the VH world anything can happen. I think we would all like to see them do their thing at least one more time. I along with others welcome any new music from any or all of them. I would like to see them one day all jam together. You and I know that will never happen, but it would get us true fans all fired the fuck up even more than we already are. Dude,I tip my glass of beer to you, another true fan!
February 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Scar, a true VH fan may just love rockin to the good tunes of the greatest rock band to ever grace this earth, and i do feel that people shouldn’t bitch about weather or not Micheal Anthony is in the band and that Wolfie took his place or that DLR is back with them or whatever, but my only concern is with EDDIE and that he charges too much for his gear that he sells to the public. i idolize that man more than anyone i have ever met, but i still think he shouldn’t charge 3,000 dollars for a guitar. and yes, i want them to pump out 100 more albums, i don’t give a fuck who is on bass or lead vocals, as long as Eddie has something to do with it ( he writes all the music anyways).
February 27th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Woooahhh - I hear you dude, about the bitching with the whole band thing, but as far as the money thing, I just don’t let it bother me. It’s unnecessary drama. We all know the world runs on greed -shit, it’s fuckin everywhere man. I’m not filthy rich, I work hard just as the majority of you do and for me, life is too short to worry about this crap! I’d rather spend my time enjoying what I can - when I can and VH, DLR and Sammy’s music is part of that enjoyment!!! If the money is such an issue for the posers I say don’t get mad get even. If you don’t like the price - don’t buy the product. If you can’t stand the artist - why support him/her or them? With all the fucked up shit in this world, you need an outlet to let it all hang out. VH, DLR and Sammy’s is a damn good way to to it. Maybe these poser’s should go to a Europe or Bon Jovi site. Do those sites even exist? woooahhh, you take it easy brother. As for you posers, you know they say you are bad for the rock and bad for the roll. Ain’t that the truth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
So all he cares about is how much the guitar costs?
Who gives a shit about the guitar…that is secondary and quite frankly now that you ask..it’s probably worth it…given the reviews.
I care WHO is in the band and quite honestly couldn’t give a fuck whether the guitar uses titanium frets or not…
And by the way, he doesn’t always write all the music.
Band..important
Guitar…nice but who cares.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I love all the era’s of Van Halen. I think we all love at least one era. None of us would be here reading and writing this stuff if we didn’t. It doesn’t take much review of the comments here that we also like to bitch about stuff. I personally think Eddie is the greatest guitar player and one of the greatest songwriters on the planet. I will never stop listening to the music. I will never stop reminding myself why Van Halen is great. Sure I miss Mike. But no one can do anything about that. Of course we all want to see something kick-ass come out of 5150. The thing is. I will never take Edward off of the guitar god pedestal he is on. No one can do that. No one here would dare to try. He has earned it in all of our minds. But I, along with many other people here at some point learned something very troubling about our hero. He is human. You could venture to say that he is a bad human. He makes terrible decisions that contradict what the average fan wants. He does this over and over. He also makes bad business decisions, bad friend/colleague decisions and bad family decisions. Of course this is my opinion and should be taken lightly but this is an opinion that a good portion of the people who comment here share. In the end Ed is going to do what he does. We are going to buy what we buy, believe what we believe and say what we want to say. I think I speak for everyone when I say that part of the reason we bitch about things is because we are hurt. We are scared that we may not see another album. We are scared that archive stuff may never be released. We are scared that we may never see Mike and Van Halen or Sam and Van Halen or even Gary and Van Halen on stage together again. We are scared that our favorite band is turning into a circus side show instead of a well oiled rockin’ machine. We are scared that we may not be able to pay for the tickets to see Van Halen live because the tickets exceed our budget in tight financial times. We are hurt that we have been lied to by Edward over and over again. So here we are. We bitch about things and argue with each other. It’s a form of therapy for us. In a way we are all Edward Van Halen’s neglected children.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
It might seem petty to shut down a $50 auction on eBay, but you need to protect your trademarks or you could stand to lose control of them. You can’t pick and choose which violations you’re going to attack. If you go after some but not others, you could wind up in a position where you lose your trademark because you didn’t protect it properly.
You might not have known that the skateboard wasn’t licensed, but you’re still responsible if you’re the one selling it. If you show up at the bank with counterfeit money, you’re the one who’s going to lose it even if someone else passed it to you first. This is the same sort of deal.
Has EVH become a greedy, money-grubbing bastard? Maybe, but that’s his right. You don’t have to buy any of his stuff and you don’t have to keep coming back here to read the site. If you’re still holding out for new music, you’re obviously not pissed off enough about the greed to write VH off completely.
I kind of miss the days of just having news here, and not having all the stupid comments. This kind of crap is the reason I never spent any time in the forums and just came here for news. I shouldn’t even click through to them, but I seem to be a glutton for punishment.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:28 am
C’mon Tommy, does it really matter who writes the music? You know the music simply just kicks ass! Embrace and enjoy it dude.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I gotta admit Kenny from Florida makes a point. The only thing to remember, is that karma is a bitch. What you put out - comes back - good or bad. I’m an asshole when I defend EDVH, DLR and Sammy’s music because it is such a big part of my life, like it is for others. Listening to a lot of you out there, it seems like you forgot what it was like to open up a VH, DLR or Sammy album (ah remember the good old days of LP’s?), looking at the album art putting the music on the turntable and then simply be blown away by the music. Regardless of what EDVH does or doesn’t do in the business world - it is really his business. Will it effect other’s - sure will, but, remember something, only he will have to answer for his actions good or bad. All we have to do is just enjoy what music has been released and what is yet to come our way. I say pour a cold one kick back and enjoy!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hey scar….I like the way you attack others who have a different opinion of you…..especially the gomer comment?….must have struck a nerve there huh?….Everyone is entitled to their opinion …and people that try to deny this right are usually scared silly…hey Nat….stupid comments ? I just wish people who come to these sites would stop trying to tell everyone else what to do….fear is your greatest enemy , it’s alright , no one’s gonna hurt you …we just have different opinions
February 28th, 2009 at 10:30 am
We may all agree to disagree but Van Halen fans are passionate fans. And that’s good.
I love you guys.
Now let’s make some music.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Scar…actually I agree with you…and thanks for admitting that part about being and Adam Henry ( A-Hole ) so forget what I said about …whatever. When the new music comes out I will enjoy a cold one…
February 28th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Just a little FYI I have both of Eds last two guitars the Ernie Ball Music Man and a Peavey Wolfgang. I have played the new Woflgang and I can honestly say it is NOT worth $3000
$1500-$1700 at best.
The EBMM is ten times better and the peavey wolf is even better yet. Much better feel and sound. Incase anybody was wondering.
If I suddenly find 3 grand I probably buy one for collecting sake. Bring on the new music ED!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
The tuffest thing to deal with here..is that we still have the potential to impact the music scene…
Washed up bands like motley crue, poison, def leppard are just going through the motions building their retirement funds..
If VH doesnt lose Roth and Wolf…they will be just like the rest…lining their pockets on smoke and mirrors…i saw them a few times on the last tour and the reality is they were truly the other half in reverse..
In the studio..they can pull it off with the engineer but if they go on the road..which they will..the true fan will know its a sham..everyone gets rich, but the show with Roth throwing the hat to a roadie at the exact moment every night is a joke…not to mention the set list being the same every night…please. Lose Roth and the Kid and call Sam n Mike.
other than that it’s Ed paying for his alimony.
March 1st, 2009 at 8:39 am
Hey Tommy, take a really good listen to Saints of Los Angeles - the Crue sound good. Granted they are no where close to VH music, but they are still out there doing the Crue fest thing, gotta give them some points for that. Pushshove I hear you bro. Dude I’ll admit I can be a relentless asshole when it comes to defending the boys music!!!!
March 1st, 2009 at 7:16 pm
I was just wondering if Greg is guitar wannabe on YOUTUBE ? If so, keep up the good work.
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I think Eddie is doing a great service by endorsing something he knows about (guitars, effects, sneakers) and not doing commericals for MacDonalds or Budweiser. As a fan and as a player I like the signature gear. I own the Jack Cassady Epiphone Bass, the best bass I have ever played. I also had the Marcus Miller bass for a while. It takes a musicians mind to know what a musican needs. Ed is an innovator as a player AND as a gearhead. Making a “profit” is why the companies want to work with him (not the ease of doing business with him obviously). Same as Sammy selling liquor or Mike selling hot sauce