Gibson USA Ace Frehley Custom Classic Budokan Les Paul with Hardshell Case
Ace Frehley continues to be one of the Les Paul guitar’s most recognizable players as well as one of rock’s greatest icons of the past 35 years. From the moment KISS arrived on the scene, Ace was brandishing a Les Paul and has developed a permanent association with this iconic guitar.
By 1977, KISS had become a worldwide phenomenon. During their world tour that year, KISS sold out four nights at the Budokan Theater in Tokyo, Japan, breaking the record previously held by The Beatles since 1966. By this time, Ace was most often seen playing a cherry sunburst triple-pickup Les Paul Custom. Ace returned to Japan with his “Budokan” Les Paul the following year for the Alive II tour where KISS broke the record again with a sold out five night stand. Ace’s association with this Les Paul remains to this day.
Gibson has recreated Ace’s favorite Les Paul, starting with a period correct 4-piece hard Maple top which rests upon a mid-’70s style “sandwich” body made from a middle and back section of solid mahogany joined by a thin maple veneer, with no chambering. The guitar is sprayed in a stunning Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish on the top, back, and even the back of the neck; capturing the exact look of Ace’s iconic instrument.
The neck is made from Richlite; an environmentally sound substitute for endangered wood species. True to Ace’s specs, the neck is shaped to a thin, ultra-playable “C”-profile, with a volute at the zero fret. The neck is glued-in and hand set with a deep-set neck joint. The 24.75” scale length is also exact to the original’s specifications. The bound Rosewood fingerboard has 22 medium jumbo frets, a 14” radius and 1.68” bone-style nut. The Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul features acrylic block inlays and the familiar “Split Diamond” on the headstock.
Ace Frehley “Budokan” Les Paul Custom is outfitted with three DiMarzioTM “Super Distortion” humbuckers to deliver the tone that dominated the world in the late 1970’s. The control panel features gold Speed Knobs for bridge volume, and a master tone control. The hardware includes the classic pairing of a chrome tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, and like Ace’s original, comes with Grover tuners. Finally, a Gibson hardshell case is included.
Order your Gibson USA Ace Frehley Custom Classic Budokan Les Paul from Sam Ash direct today with the security of our 45/60 return/price protection policy and be sure to take advantage of our fast, free shipping.
Gibson USA Ace Frehley Custom Classic Budokan Les Paul with Hardshell Case
The manufacturer's warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product. The warranty excludes damage from misuse, abuse, and contains other exclusions.
