Eddie plays a Fender Telecaster Thinline electric guitar in Stranger Things. He uses the guitar throughout Season 3 and even joins an impromptu band with his fellow friends to perform at the school dance in the finale episode. The exact model is a 1972 reissue of the original 1969 Telecaster Thinline, produced by Fender until 1982. This style was known for its semi-hollow body design, distinct sound and bright tone, which Eddie makes good use of as he strums along during his performances.
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The Gibson ES-345
Eddie Van Halen is widely known for his use of the iconic Gibson Flying V guitar, and as such, most would not expect him to have an affinity for a different model. However, one of the lesser-known models Eddie has made famous in recent years is the Gibson ES-345. This vintage classic first debuted in 1958 and features a beautiful semi-hollow body design with dot position markers and white pickguard. It also has two humbucking pickups that provide plenty of tonal options for players.
In Stranger Things, Eddie plays a ’58 reissue ES-345 on several occasions throughout the series. The guitar provides an unmistakable bluesy sound that complements both Eddie’s playing style and the show’s soundtrack perfectly. Not only does this vintage guitar look great on screen but it also delivers an incredibly rich tone. Despite its traditional styling, the instrument still packs modern touches such as Varitone switches, stereo outputs and even a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece.
The Gibson ES-345 has been used by some of rock music’s biggest icons over the years, including Joe Walsh, John Lennon and Duane Allman among others; though none quite capture its unique sonic capabilities like Eddie Van Halen does in Stranger Things. Whether he’s strumming out chunky riffs or soaring lead lines – there’s no doubt that this classic ‘50s relic brings out some truly magical tones from Eddie’s hands in what is undoubtedly one of his finest performances yet.
The backstory of Eddie’s guitar choice
It’s no secret that Eddie’s guitar playing is one of the most iconic elements of Stranger Things. While many fans have speculated about what kind of instrument he uses to create such amazing sounds, very few know the story behind his choice.
What most people don’t know is that Eddie got his start in music when he was a young kid growing up in Indiana. From an early age, he had a passion for rock and roll and wanted to be like the legendary guitarists of yesteryear. He used whatever money he could get his hands on to buy old guitars from pawn shops or second-hand stores – guitars made before electric pickups were invented.
Eventually, Eddie found an old Kay archtop electric guitar with two single coil pickups which became his go-to instrument when it came time to make music. Although the sound wasn’t as powerful or versatile as today’s electric guitars, it fit perfectly with Eddie’s bluesy style and allowed him to easily recreate those classic rock riffs from years past. This same Kay can be seen in several scenes throughout Stranger Things and has become almost synonymous with Eddie himself.
Characteristics and specifications of the ES-345
Eddie’s guitar of choice in Stranger Things is a Gibson ES-345. Originally released by Gibson in 1959, this vintage semi-hollow body guitar has since become the go-to instrument for blues and jazz musicians around the world. It boasts a unique design that makes it stand out from other guitars on the market, with an array of features that make it truly special.
One of the most notable characteristics of the ES-345 is its depth. Its two f-holes and archtop design allow for more resonance than your typical flat top guitar, giving Eddie’s music a richer tone that he can manipulate to great effect. Its thicker neck allows him to perform intricate fingerings with ease – something not possible on standard electric guitars like the Stratocaster or Telecaster.
The ES-345 also comes equipped with three pickups – one at each bridge and neck position – allowing for multiple tonal possibilities as well as adding some extra oomph when needed. And thanks to its special varitone switch, Eddie can change his sound up even further – switching between five different filter settings and creating new sounds with every twist of the knob.
Other notable guitars used in Stranger Things
Though the iconic Gibson Firebird guitar of Eddie is a fan favorite, there are other notable instruments that were used in Stranger Things. Will’s childhood pal Mike Wheeler uses a Fender Stratocaster while another friend Lucas Sinclair was spotted playing an Epiphone Wilshire. The two main guitarists in the Hawkins High School band – Jonathan and Nancy Byers – use Fender Jaguar and Mustang models respectively.
When it comes to rockin’ out, Dr. Martin Brenner plays a classic Gretsch Hollowbody with vintage Bigsby tremolo bridge. Eleven channels her punk-rock spirit by using a brand new white Mapex Falcon drum kit during Season 3’s epic Battle of Starcourt Mall performance. Maxine Mayfield also gets her musical thrills by playing the bells on Joyce’s Magnavox console organ for their renditions of hits such as The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go?”.
Steve Harrington strums his way through heartache with a signature Rickenbacker 360/12 electric 12-string guitar. Interestingly enough, he only acquires this instrument towards the end of Season 3 when he moves back to Hawkins from California where he had been living since Season 2’s finale episode.
The impact of music on the show’s atmosphere
Stranger Things is one of the most critically acclaimed series to ever grace Netflix, and it certainly owes a lot of its success to its iconic soundtrack. Eddie’s guitar playing plays an integral part in setting the atmosphere for many key moments throughout the show. Whether that be his gentle strumming during sentimental moments or his riffs on heavy rock classics like ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’ as Eleven and the gang take down another supernatural creature, music is central to Stranger Things.
His choice of instrument has played a major role in delivering this ambiance too. Eddie’s signature Gibson SG Standard gives a warm, expressive sound thanks to its classic mahogany body and neck – adding character to both slow-burning pieces and fast-paced solos alike. It also boasts legendary vintage PAF humbuckers, renowned for their ability to provide clarity even at extreme volumes – crucial when trying to cut through scenes with lots of dialogue or other noises going on in the background.
Eddie’s stirring playing works perfectly alongside fellow bandmate Mike Wheeler’s dazzling basslines (on Fender Precision Bass models), while also providing an excellent contrast between themselves and Will Byer’s synthesizers – which often take centre stage as they explore The Upside Down. Without Eddie’s skillful licks, Stranger Things would not have achieved quite such an evocative sonic landscape – one that continues to capture our imaginations five seasons later.
Eddie’s musical influences and style
Eddie in the Netflix series, Stranger Things, is a proficient guitar player. His music captivates viewers and adds to the atmosphere of his scenes. But where does Eddie’s style come from?
The musical influences behind Eddie’s guitar playing are vast and varied. Primarily, he draws inspiration from classic rock of the 80s such as U2 and Led Zeppelin. He also demonstrates an appreciation for jazz improvisation and blues rock riffs reminiscent of B.B King or Stevie Ray Vaughn. All of these different styles give his sound an unmistakably nostalgic feel which transports viewers back in time to when this type of music was popular.
On top of these traditional sounds, Eddie manages to incorporate some progressive techniques that take it even further away from what is expected by weaving in elements like tapping, whammy bar usage and dynamic shifts that add depth to his performances. This technical expertise showcases how deeply dedicated he is to creating a unique brand of music that will linger long after each scene has ended.
How the ES-345 fits into Eddie’s sound and approach
Eddie, the cool and mysterious guitarist from the hit Netflix show Stranger Things, primarily plays a Gibson ES-345 throughout the series. The guitar is one of several iconic guitars from Gibson’s storied past, first introduced in 1959 as an upgrade to the popular ES-335 model. With its distinctive hollow body construction, this guitar produces an unmistakably warm tone that can easily be heard when Eddie performs with his friends at Hawkins High School.
The two main features that make the ES-345 perfect for Eddie are its semi-hollow body design and Bigsby vibrato tailpiece. Its semi-hollow body helps produce a vintage sound reminiscent of jazz music while still having enough power and sustain for modern rock playing styles. Moreover, its Bigsby vibrato allows Eddie to add extra expression to his riffs, giving them even more character than they already have on their own.
Another key element of why this instrument fits perfectly into Eddie’s sound is its classic yet timeless styling. The abalone inlays on the fretboard combined with gold hardware help bring out a classy vibe; it truly looks like something straight out of 1984. This aesthetic complements Eddie’s image extremely well – not only does he look great but he sounds great too!
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