Eddie Van Halen ranks #70 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all-time (see related story) and many, many people think he should be much higher.  As the lead guitarist for Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen defined what it meant to be a 80’s rock band lead guitarist.

Earlier this week, Eddie Van Halen and Fender announced that he collaborated with Fender in the creation of the EVH Wolfgang electric guitar.

“A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I could have just stayed at home and built this guitar for myself. I do this because a lot of people ask if they can get what I use. Well, yes you can and what you get is identical to what I use,” commented Eddie. “From the basics of the guitar to painstaking aspects like the binding and everything else–we re-did everything on this guitar.

The guitar includes some pretty high quality components including stainless steel frets, double-potted custom-wound pickups, five-piece binding on the matching body and headstock, custom-made signature tuning machines and Floyd Rose(R) bridge and new low-friction pots.

The guitar will be available worldwide in January, 2009.

EVH Brand Guitars, Amps and Musical Products (Official)