Eddie Van Halen Guitar Contest Winner - Mike Gutierrez

Remember those cool contests that Kramer ran in your favorite guitar magazines in the 80s? Well, in 1984 Kramer hosted one of their biggest publicity contests ever. The Grand prize...a Kramer guitar awarded to the winner from the man himself, Eddie Van Halen. Mike Gutierrez, an 18 year old resident of Sacramento, California was the lucky winner of that contest and along with an all expense paid trip to L.A. to meet Van Halen, was given this guitar by Ed himself in Febuary of 1985. Mike also attended, with EVH, the NAMM show that winter in Anaheim. In 1998, Mike was also featured in issue 13 of "The Inside", a Van Halen fanzine with a full two page article of the events of his vividly memorable trip. The guitar Mike was awarded is a 1984 "C" serialized Baretta with a maple fretboard, tilted headstock and R5 nut size. The paint is, of course, customized in the famous red, white and black fashion. Additionally, it features a 6 bolt neckplate. His guitar was most likely constructed at the factory by master builder Billy Connely as Billy made the majority of Ed's backups and Kramer's promotional guitars at the time.

Unfortunately for Mike, Edward never signed the guitar for him. He has continually tried to get it signed year after year without success. So Mr. Van Halen, if you're reading this, please help Mike out! Some additional notes Mike added are that, upon arrival after the NAMM show to party for Ed's birthday and to pick up the guitar, he met with Edward at his hotel room. He said Edward had been discussing the folding plexi-glass contraption for playing the guitar horizontal with some attorneys. Mike says it's a killer player as well and, over the years has had several huge offers for the guitar, including an 18 Wheeler Truck! But, as a tried and true EVH fan would have it, this one is staying home, baby. A special thanks goes out to Mike Gutierrez for sharing his experience and great photos of his Van Halen Kramer. You can find out more about Mike and his current endeavors at www.visadrecords.com