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KISS: Ace Frehley's Stage-Used Guitar

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:40,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
KISS: Ace Frehley's Stage-Used Guitar

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Auction Date:2020 Nov 03 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Ace Frehley's stage-used 1993 Gibson Les Paul electric guitar (serial no. 92883385), featuring a gorgeous cherry sunburst finish and design customizations including: "ACE" etched into the mother-of-pearl inlay at the twelfth fret, a planet etched into the mother-of-pearl truss rod plate on the headstock, and a "Mighty Mouse" sticker on the back of the body. The guitar has three DiMarzio humbucker pickups, pearloid tuners, a cream-colored pickguard, standard rhythm/treble switch, and four volume/tone knobs. It exhibits numerous small dents and dimples on the upper portion of the body, a characteristic of Frehley's personally-used guitars—the result of 'punching' the guitar with the rings worn on his right hand. The back of the headstock is signed in silver ink, "Ace Frehley," along with his trademark sketch of an Ace of Hearts. Includes its Gibson hardshell case, and also accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed in black ballpoint by Frehley, a photocopy of a FedEx shipping label sending the guitar from Frehley's home in San Diego, and several images of Frehley playing the guitar.

Many images exist that show Frehley with this iconic guitar: he is shown posing with it inside the 1996–1997 Kiss 'Alive/Worldwide' Tour program (the woodgrain patterns in the image clearly match those on this guitar's body), and on the cover of the September 1996 issue of Guitar World magazine covering KISS's reunion; original examples of the program and magazine are included. Further, video exists of him playing it in concert footage from the Birch Hill Nightclub in New Jersey on February 19, 1995 (toward the end, both the mother-of-pearl planet on the headstock and 'Mighty Mouse' sticker are seen); and at the 30th anniversary party for Eddie Trunk's radio show at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City on October 23, 2013 (when he takes the guitar off after playing 'Rock and Roll All Nite,' the 'Mighty Mouse' sticker can be seen on the back).

Frehley's stage-used guitars rarely hit the public market, and this example is especially well-documented: the signed certificate from Frehley identifies this specific guitar by its 'Mighty Mouse' sticker and matching serial number; and it is seen with him in multiple photographs and videos. This guitar also formed the basis for the Ace Frehley Signature Model Les Paul (ACE 300) released by Gibson in 1997. As the original lead guitarist of KISS, Frehley created the 'Spaceman' persona and toured and recorded with the group from its inception in 1973 until his departure in 1982, when he embarked on a solo career. He rejoined the group for their 1996 reunion tour, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014. Boasting ideal photographic and video evidence of extensive stage-use, this is a remarkable personally-owned guitar from one of the great hard rock guitarists of the 20th century.