Peavey and Edward Van Halen had a relationship that lasted about 8 years, during which the formidable guitarist gave a mind-blowing boost to the popularity of the American brand, which was already quietly on the decline. In 1996, when this collaboration began, Peavey was still a reference in terms of guitars, but the workshops were messy, and the production quite erratic. Many prototypes and instruments were sent to Van Halen and it is well known that if he did not keep them, Van Halen offered them or sent them back to Peavey after having affixed either a note, a comment, his signature or simply “Not For Resale”. Peavey records do not identify this guitar by serial number, but it is known that this instrument was part of a batch built for NAMM 2000 and subsequently sent to Van Halen. Mike Brown, then in place at Peavey’s Custom Service in 2018, again confirmed the history of this guitar and Geoff Knapp, one of the greatest collectors of Peavey, particularly of Wolfgang Van Halen, also confirms these elements and indicates that more than 200 instruments have thus been sent over the years to Van Halen.

This guitar was therefore in the possession of Van Halen and has the typical markings and inscriptions of instruments that have passed into the hands of the master. Thus his signature, on the back of the guitar, with the mention Namm 2000. The signature is partly erased, the Edward is barely legible, and the V for Van is also a little erased, but the writing, the type and the style, the precision of the writing and obviously all the indices, mention “Not For Resale” of the hand of Van Halen similar to many examples of prototypes, the absence of serial number, the quality of the guitar, wood and manufacture, the various NAMM listings and email testimonials from Geoff Knapp and Mike Brown of Peavey, no doubt this guitar is indeed a Wolfgang Deluxe Proto made for the most famous of modern guitarists. ..

The maple top is beautiful with beautiful patterns and pronounced veining. The neck is also figured maple and features a figured maple fingerboard. Equipped with a D-Tuna and Peavey humbucker pickups, this guitar obviously has everything to pay tribute to the virtuoso playing of Van Halen. It still has its plastics on the rear covers and the frets are, like the guitar for that matter, new. It still has its plastics on the rear covers and the frets are, like the guitar by the way, new. Indeed, this Peavey Prototype Wolfgang Deluxe is in new condition and shows no dents or damage and even almost no scratches.

Comes with original hardcase and copies of previous owner’s emails and replies from Geoff Knapp and Mike Brown.