Wolfgang Van Halen Channels Eddie's Frankenstein for Groundbreaking Two-Hand Tapping in New Single

Wolfgang Van Halen has shared a clip of him tracking the slap guitar section of his new song, The End , on his late father's legendary Frankenstein guitar .

After dropping his initials from the band name and releasing a new Mammoth single – boasts a music video with a star-filled, horror-themed concept that’s a must-watch for many reasons – Wolfgang has now offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the song's making. As always, his dad’s presence shines on with him.

“Fun fact,” his new Instagram post reads. “I recorded the main tapping of the song, and the slap part with the Frankenstein! Makes me feel closer to Pop that such an important part of his history can live with mine every time I record.”

The heavily modded six-string, which boasts that iconic red, white, and black striped design, was one of Eddie Van Halen's most cherished axes. It was his weapon of choice as Van Halen changed the face of guitar music with Eruption in 1978, and it barely left his side thereafter.

Notably, Wolfgang has used the guitar in the studio before, and it can be heard on each Mammoth record so far. On Mammoth I it was used for the solos in Mammoth and Feel, and on Mammoth II it was used for his show-stopping, tapping-lavished Take a Bow guitar solo .

“You feel the history,” he had said after using it on his debut album , a record he finished in the wake of his dad’s passing . “It’s kind of terrifying holding it, just because arguably it is the most famous guitar in musical history. It’s definitely quite the thing to hold it.”

“It's kind of crazy,” Wolfgang later mentioned about the instrument during the promotional tour for Take a Bow There are particular tones that make you think, ' Wow, that really stands out.' Van Halen I .’”

On this occasion, Wolfgang continues to relish the bond that the Frankenstein fosters between himself and his deceased father.

Moreover, the act of slapping highlights Wolfgang’s approach to music. He aims not to be defined merely as 'Eddie Van Halen’s son' and is determined to build his identity as an artist named Wolfgang. However, he also seeks to pay homage to Eddie’s legacy in the process.

In this section, he's adopting contemporary methods favored by guitarists such as Tosin Abasi. his own guitar idol, Aaron Marshall from Intervals — who have both endorsed him in the comments — as an embodiment of his style on the instrument. The solo, on the other hand, showcases a blisteringly Van Halenesque performance, keeping everything within the realm of virtuoso playing.

In the comments section, Wolfgang breaks down the slapping technique, stating, “I use my right hand for both slapping and then popping two distinct strings to achieve those harmonics, while my left hand adds the percussive rhythmic elements."

You sense the history; it's somewhat daunting to hold onto.

Wolfgang Van Halen

In related news, filmmaker Simon Alkin released an exhaustive documentary on Eddie’s guitar-modding journey and how the Frankenstein came to be late last year. Told in Eddie’s own words via a score of interviews captured over the years, it gives a unique insight into the legendary instrument.

“The guitar I wanted to play did not exist,” Van Halen had said at the time. Now its future remains in very safe, and very familiar hands.

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