Eddie Van Halen's studio-used Kramer guitars are up for auction — with his cigarette butts still tucked beneath the strings: “Definitely and extensively used by Eddie in the studio”

The headstock of Eddie Van Halen's 1987 Zeke Clark Customized 5150 Kramer guitar — currently up for auction — still has one of his cigarette butts wedged beneath the strings. Two well-worn Kramer guitars that belonged to Eddie Van Halen have gone up for auction — complete with what are claimed to be cigarette butts the guitarist smoked, still wedged beneath the low strings behind the nut. Listed as “Edward Van Halen 1986 Zeke Clark Customized 5150 Kramer Guitar” and “Edward Van Halen 1987 Zeke Clark Customized 5150 Kramer Guitar,” each carries a starting bid of $50,000. While their exact recording history can’t be verified, Backstage Auctions president Jacques van Gool says there’s little doubt the guitars saw extensive studio use during one of Van Halen’s most successful periods. Edward Van Halen’s 1987 Zeke Clark Customized 5150 Kramer guitar.