Exclusively Van Halen: Did Paul Reed Smith Build the #VanHalen Kramer 5150 Guitar? 8/7/25

In a recent interview with Guitar Interactive Magazine, Paul Reed Smith opened up about his unexpected connection to Eddie Van Halen. “I made the 5150 pickup. I made the 5150 guitar. I’m the one who bolted it together and got it working at Kramer,” Smith revealed, recalling his hands-on role in shaping one of rock’s most iconic guitars. Although a signature PRS model for Eddie never materialized, Smith did craft a custom guitar for him years later. The collaboration nearly happened—an “almost” that has since become part of guitar legend. “I did make one for him… He was a sweetheart. He was so nice to me,” Smith said. “It just wasn’t meant to be.” We dive into a recent Guitar Interactive Magazine interview where Paul Reed Smith claims he built the Kramer 5150 pickup and the guitar itself! 🤯 But… is he actually talking about the Hot For Teacher guitar? 🤔 We break it down, compare stories, and look at what might really have happened. Plus, we dig into another article from Guitarist Magazine, where Paul shares more details—like being called up by Kramer to help assemble a guitar for Edward himself. He even mentions the infamous tray table on the back! (Yes, we show pics! 📸) Then, I send you over to a killer YouTube channel that’s uploading rare Van Halen Diver Down-era soundboard recordings 🎙️🔥 Don’t miss it—link below. And drop a comment over there and tell ’em Johnny Beane sent you! Van Halen - 6 August 1982 - The Checkerdome, St. Louis, Missouri [SOUNDBOARD] https://youtu.be/DqeYP-nyYu0?si=Ww1uaU7FTJildD46 📬 Huge thanks to Mike for the awesome fan-made vinyl of The Van Halen Ted Templeman Sessions—unreleased demos from before the debut album. Bootleg gold! 💿💣 And finally, how cool is this? Alter Bridge is laying down tracks at 5150 Studios! Big thanks to Wolfgang Van Halen—check out the photo of Myles Kennedy and the crew in action. 🎸🔥 🎸 Don’t miss this one, VH fans—it’s packed! 🔥 This is THE Van Halen Show! 🔥 We talk all things Van Halen — live shows, rare guitars, exclusive interviews, and deep cuts. Subscribe and join the fun — you’re home! 🎸 🎸 Join One of the Biggest Van Halen Groups on Facebook: http://facebook.com/groups/EVHFANPAGE 📲 Follow Johnny Beane: 🌐 Website: www.johnnybeane.com 📘 Facebook: http://facebook.com/johnnybeane 📸 Instagram: @johnnybeane 🐦 Twitter/X: @johnnybeane 🎵 TikTok: @johnnybeanetv 📬 Send Fan Mail, Letters, or Products for Review: Johnny Beane 4768 Soquel Dr Box 232 Soquel, CA 95073 USA #VanHalen #EddieVanHalen #PaulReedSmith #PRSguitars #KramerGuitars #HotForTeacher #5150Studios #WolfgangVanHalen #AlterBridge #GuitarNews #VanHalenDemos #GuitarTalk #JohnnyBeaneTV #ExclusivelyVanHalen #EVH #GuitarHistory Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4906555367489536