Credit: Benny Goodman
Jason Becker is selling the guitar gifted to him by Eddie Van Halen in 1996 to pay for his ongoing care for ALS.
Eddie gave the #69 Peavey EVH EVH Wolfgang guitar to Becker, diagnosed with ALS in 1989, during his emotional visit to Becker’s home on August 31st, 1996. He signed it, with the inscription : “Jason. We will play guitar together in the future. Love — from heart to your soul. Eddie Van Halen, ’96.”
Becker was one of the first guitarists to own Van Halen’s Wolfgang signature guitar, since production of the instrument only began in the second half of 1996. The two hadn’t met before, but established a lasting friendship following the visit. The moment was captured on video by the family. Becker shared the footage after Eddie’s passing in 2020, writing: “Eddie was such a beautiful person. He was incredibly kind to me and my family. Not only was he my biggest influence, he had such a huge heart. He honestly saved my life.”
YouTuber Benny Goodman (AKA The Neurotic Guitarist) is brokering the sale in an effort to ensure Becker gets the best price and avoids the fees associated with auctions. The goal is to help Becker keep up with expenses of medical bills, which cost over $100,000 per year.
The model, developed by Van Halen with Jim DeCola (the firm’s chief designer at the time, who is now at Gibson), features a basswood body, quilted maple neck, two EVH/Peavey-designed humbuckers and a Floyd Rose vibrato with D-Tuna. DeCola has confirmed it is one of the first 100 produced. In addition to Eddie’s signature, it carries Becker’s thumbprint on the back of the neck.
You can contact Benny Goodman through his YouTube channel HERE.