Ace Frehley’s legendary 1975 Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar has sold for $512,000, as reported by auction house Julien’s Auctions, as part of its ‘Music Icons’ series — a two-day live auction held on May 29 and May 30 at Hard Rock Cafe Times Square in New York City.
The guitar, known as the “Budokan” Les Paul, was Frehley’s primary instrument during one of KISS’s most celebrated eras. Julien’s Auctions described the instrument and its significance in detail.
“Ace Frehley’s stage played #1 ‘Budokan’ 1975 Gibson Les Paul Custom with three cream pickups and cherry sunburst finish, serial #657947 with what appears to be an A prefix,” Julien’s reported. “Instantly recognizable as Ace’s main axe during the band’s most prolific period, this triple-pickup Les Paul Custom was used by Frehley for every KISS concert during the band’s 1976 Rock and Roll Over tour through 1979’s Dynasty tour.”
The guitar had been estimated to fetch between $400,000 and $600,000 prior to the sale.
“The guitar’s estimated price was between $400,000 – $600,000,” Julien’s noted. “Sold price is $512,000.”
The sale places the instrument firmly within its estimated range, underscoring the enduring demand for iconic rock memorabilia connected to KISS’s classic lineup.
The result also reflects the broader historical weight the guitar carries — not just as a stage instrument, but as a piece of rock history that has been carefully preserved and restored for collectors.
MusicRadar reported that Frehley had modified the guitar over the years by installing a Washburn Wonderbar vibrato. The instrument was then restored to its original specification before being offered at auction — a detail that likely contributed to its strong final price.
Blabbermouth described the 1975 Les Paul as “one of the most historically significant guitars in rock and roll.” That distinction sets it apart from the broader market of KISS-related memorabilia and places it in a category reserved for truly iconic instruments.
The sale also highlights the wide spectrum of value within Ace Frehley’s guitar legacy. RR Auction records showed that a signed Epiphone Les Paul-style guitar by Frehley previously sold for just $1,142 — a stark contrast that illustrates how stage-played, historically documented instruments command exponentially higher prices than signed memorabilia alone.
Together, these details paint a picture of a collector’s market that rewards provenance and authenticity above all else. The “Budokan” Les Paul’s documented use across multiple landmark KISS tours, combined with its restored condition, made it one of the most compelling lots in Julien’s ‘Music Icons’ auction. The final hammer price reflects exactly that.
