The Part of Mammoth’s New Song Where Wolfgang Van Halen Plays Eddie’s Legendary ‘Frankenstein’ Guitar

Great—thanks for sharing! Here’s a rewritten and expanded version of your blog post in a more polished, natural, and engaging tone suitable for a website. I’ve added clarity, flow, and human-like nuance while preserving all the key information:


Wolfgang Van Halen Honors His Father With Iconic Guitar in Mammoth’s “The End”

Wolfgang Van Halen is keeping his father’s legendary musical spirit alive in a very personal way. In the video for Mammoth’s latest single, “The End,” Wolfgang offers fans a heartfelt throwback by featuring a piece of rock history—Eddie Van Halen’s iconic Frankenstein guitar.

The unmistakable guitar, instantly recognizable from its striped body and customized components, became a symbol of Van Halen’s sound and image throughout the 1980s. Known as both the “Frankenstein” and “Frankenstrat,” this instrument isn’t just a guitar—it’s a legend in its own right.

Wolfgang has always been thoughtful about how and when to tap into the vast legacy left by his late father. He’s never relied on nostalgia for its own sake—instead, he chooses his moments with meaning. And for “The End,” it was the perfect time.

“These instruments aren’t being played,” Wolfgang said in an interview. “I thought it would be really fun to have it played on my music and have it be there forever—a little part of dad joining with me on it. It just felt like the right moment.”

The Story Behind Frankenstein and Its Role in Mammoth’s Music

Wolfgang has clarified the guitar’s official name, saying, “Officially, on the case, it says Frankenstein. But people call it whatever they want.” He noted that his father never gave it a formal title—it was simply what the fans began calling it.

Over the years, Frankenstein has seen numerous modifications. The most recent significant update? Likely the bridge. Wolfgang noted that the Floyd Rose bridge “looks like it’s from this century,” and he believes the strings were last changed in 2015.

While “The End” has received attention for the guitar’s cameo, it’s not the first time Wolfgang has used it in his own music. The instrument also features in “Take a Bow” from Mammoth’s second album. He described the solo in that song as an important milestone in his evolution as a guitarist and songwriter:

“I think this solo marked an evolution in my own songwriting and solo playing for Mammoth, and it felt really cool to commemorate that with a little bit of dad on top of it.”

He’s also wielded Frankenstein on tracks like “Mammoth” and “Feel” from the band’s debut album. Reflecting on the experience, he told Total Guitar in 2021, “You feel the history. It’s kind of terrifying holding it, just because arguably it is the most famous guitar in musical history.”

What’s Next for Mammoth in 2025?

Mammoth (now officially performing without the “WVH” tag) is gearing up for a big year. “The End” marks the first powerful glimpse into their upcoming third album—though no release date or album details have been revealed yet.

What is confirmed, however, is that the band will hit the road this fall for a short headlining tour. The trek kicks off with a yet-to-be-announced Halloween show and continues from November 1 in Las Vegas through a December 7 finale. Fans eager to catch Wolfgang and the band live can find ticket info on Mammoth’s official website.


Would you like this reformatted for WordPress or as HTML for easy site publishing?

Leave a Comment