

The Hair Metal genre of the 1980s and early 90s is easily the most recognizable and distinct era in popular music, and their gear reflected it. Perhaps no other time in rock history required participants to be as consistent in the type of instrument they played. Here are five classic 80s guitars, and an example of who played them. Some of them are still available today while others are not, but all of these models have their place in guitar history.
1. Kramer 5150 (1983)
In addition to being a rock trailblazer and legend, Eddie Van Halen is known for being an inveterate guitar tinkerer, so it’s no surprise that the guitar he is most known for is his homemade “Frankenstein” Strat style guitar (a.k.a., “Frankenstrat”). He worked with Kramer in the early 80s to recreate it, and debuted it in 1983. Considered the original EVH guitar, it features a different headstock than the traditional Fender design, but is otherwise quite similar, including a non-glossy maple neck and a single volume control. This 80s Kramer guitar goosed Kramer’s popularity as a guitar brand, an it’s still available today. Check out Kramer’s faithful rendition of the 5150, complete with Eddie’s red unique “paint and tape” paint job.
Famous player who used this model: Eddie Van Halen
2. Hamer Californian (1988)
Hamer USA was known for high quality guitars, and the Hamer Californian was no exception. The body was a sculpted super strat style, The most conspicuous feature has to be the fingerboard: 27 frets on a dark ebony fretboard, replete with super cool “shark fin” inlays that bleed over into the next highest fret (some Californians had rosewood or maple fingerboards, but the ebony that came on the Elite model looks best in my opinion). Pickups were usually active EMG, and the bridge was Schaller-style.
Famous Hamer Californian player: Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
3. Ibanez JEM (1987)
Nobody at first glance will mistake the JEM for any other guitar due to the unique “monkey grip” cutout at the top of the guitar. The JEM was first introduced in 1987 and designed in conjunction with Steve Vai. JEMs have basswood bodies (a wood not often used on production guitars at the time), DiMarzio pickups, super-thin necks with a vine inlay. They were offered in 80s-approved bright colors such as Shocking Pink, Loch Ness Green, and Desert Yellow. The top 4 frets were scalloped. 80s Ibanez guitar styles are still popular and produced today in various incarnations such as the RG550 and Prestige RGR series. Due to its enduring popularity, the JEM itself is still available today!
Famous player who used an Ibanez JEM: Steve Vai
4. Ibanez Voyager (1991)
The pre-grunge early 90s were essentially an extension of the hair metal era. All models featured a unique mahogany body shape and Ibanez’s Edge Tremolo. The RBM2 models were the most luxurious of the line, sporting a Hawaiian koa top and Bolivian Rosewood (aka Pao Ferro) neck and fingerboard, gold hardware, and veneered headstock. The neck, by the way, is beautiful in the examples that I have seen. Most models come with Ibanez pickups but the RBM2 was spec’d with EMG pickups. The Voyager is out of production today and commands a premium on the used market. If you like the body shape of the Voyager, check out the Ibanez Q54. It’s a thoroughly modern guitar with the a distinctive bridge cutout similar to the Voyager.
Famous Ibanez Voyager player: Reb Beach of Winger (signature model)
5. Jackson Soloist (1984)
This classic design was heralded by all types of guitarists, including jazzers! The guitar was initially offered in two trims, Custom and Student, but took on somewhat of a custom shop feel due to the number of options offered. Although many Soloists have Floyd tremolo systems, it was available with a string-through Tune-o-matic bridge. The Soloist featured some notable departures from the typical super strat formula: It was a neck through body design of maple with poplar wings, slightly smaller sized, (⅞) and the headstock was pointed. Colors choices reflected the times, such as Platinum Pink, Ferrari Red, and Ivory, and custom colors were available. Personally I think the Soloist models look great in an understated Black, which makes the fretboard binding and shark fin inlay stand out. The Soloist design is still relevant, and available today.
Famous 80s Jackson player: Phil Collen of Def Leppard
Conclusion
These 80s metal guitars were built for the sounds of the 80s, but they aren’t all one-trick shred guitars. Jacksons have been used to make other music than 80s metal, and for a time it wasn’t unusual to see even a jazz or fusion player sporting a Jackson Soloist. Ibanez Voyagers command a premium on the used market, but the design lives on in their currently produced Q series.
Alas, Hamer USA is no more, but the print ads of Reid holding his Hamer Californian are among the most memorable guitar advertisements in history. One thing is for sure: Without these guitars and their locking tremolo systems, 80s metal would have sounded very different.
Happy Playing!