This is only a preview. The auction will open on: 10/28/2026 1:00:00 PM
Offered Here: Mark Stone 1980s-2000s Custom Made Red Wood Bass Guitar With COA
Item Details: Up for auction is a beautifully handcrafted custom bass guitar constructed from a striking red wood, sourced directly from the personal collection of original Van Halen bassist and accomplished luthier Mark Stone. Mostly complete and showcasing fine craftsmanship, the instrument exhibits signs of player wear, including mild scratches from being played, dings near the rear strap knob, scratches and dings surrounding the front electronics, and wear on the reverse. The bass is missing its rear electronics plate, leaving the wiring exposed. Sold strictly as-is and as a prized rock collectible with no guarantees of playability, this item represents a rare opportunity to own a mostly finished, personal instrument from a foundational figure in rock history.
Provenance / Authenticity: This lot originates directly from the personal collection of Mark Stone, a multi-talented artist who was the original bass player and backing vocalist for Mammoth and Van Halen from 1972 to 1974 and an accomplished luthier. As a foundational figure in the band's legendary early history, Stone performed on their seminal studio demos and extended his creative contributions by designing the iconic original band logo utilized by Mammoth and early Van Halen. Offered directly from his estate, these historic items will be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by an authorized representative of the Stone estate.
Mark Stone played bass in Mammoth, the Pasadena band formed by Eddie and Alex Van Halen that later became Van Halen, during the years when the group was building its following on the Southern California backyard party and club circuit. He was succeeded by Michael Anthony in 1974, and the band went on to sign with Warner Bros. and release its debut album in 1978, a record whose guitar techniques and high-energy sound shaped hard rock for decades. Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, and Stone's tenure represents the formative period that preceded the band's commercial breakthrough.
Condition: Good, as-is with mild scratches from playing, dings near the rear strap knob, dings and scratches on the reverse, no truss rod cover, no rear backplate, with exposed wiring. Sold as a collectible with no guarantee of playability.
SKU: DST1030