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2023 - Current Market Values
Gibson & Epiphone Ace Frehley Signature Model
Les Paul Guitars
The prices below are derived from the average selling prices of each of the models described. With the help of John Phillips, we've collected this information over many years when the guitars have sold through officially licensed Gibson dealers and/or private sales. Additionally, I worked in the music retail sector for over 14 years, in Canada and learned a thing or two about guitar re-sale values ... perceived and reality.
It's very important to remember ...
A seller can ask whatever price they want to, for the guitar they're selling ... too much, too little or somewhere in the middle.
A buyer can pay whatever price they want to, for the guitar they're buying ... too much, too little or somewhere in the middle.
If you want to pay more than these suggested prices, go for it ! If you can pick one up for less than these suggested prices, go for it ! DO NOT buy one of the Chinese-built knock-offs thinking it's anything more than a Chinese-built knock-off ... you might very be disappointed.
If you've got questions about any of the Ace Frehley Les Paul guitars you're looking at, please feel free to e-mail me. I'd be happy to try and answer them for you.
** Disclaimer - The prices below are for reference only ... they are not written in stone.
Ace's 1973 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe "Blackie" sold at auction in 2021 for $78,750
1997 - Gibson Custom Shop Ace Frehley Signature model - "The 300"
Gibson Art, Custom & Historic Shop
Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul Guitar
Built between March and June of 1997
Inked on serial numbers as follows ...
ACE 002 (Ace Frehley owned and played) sold for $80,000 at auction
ACE 004 $12,000 USD or more ... technically, the lowest circulated serial number of The 300
ACE 005 through ACE 010 - $10,000+
ACE 011 through ACE 300 - $7,500 to $10,000
$7500 = an average one with some or little play-wear and a more plain looking top
$8500 - $9000 = a clean guitar with very little play-wear. Increased value for 'flame' on the top
$9000 - $10,000 = mint or 'as-new' condition. Increased value for 'flame' on the top
Minor fluctuation in value with pickup discrepancies
1997 to 2001 - Gibson USA Ace Frehley Signature model
Gibson USA Les Paul Custom
Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul Guitar
Built between August 1997 and July 2001
Stamped serial numbers
1997's - $5,300 to $6,500 US
1998 - 2001 - $4,500 to $6,900 US
Increased value for 'flame-top' or 'quilt-top'
Pickup discrepancy does not apply to this model
1997 to 2007 - Epiphone Ace Frehley Signature model
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul Guitar
Built between 1997 and 2007
Inked on serial numbers
Heritage Cherry Sunburst - $1,000 to $2,000 US
+$250 - $500 for double lightning bolts at 12th fret in mint condition
Black Burst - $1,000 to $1,500 US
Silver-Blue Burst - $2,500 to $4,500 US
Wood 'flame' does not apply to these models
Pickup discrepancy does not apply to these models
2011 - Gibson Custom Shop Budokan model
Gibson Custom Shop
Ace Frehley Budokan Signature Les Paul Guitar
Built between July and September of 2011
Aged & Signed - Ace Frehley #1 through Ace Frehley #51 ... (Yes, #51)
* Each guitar was personally signed and numberd by Ace Frehley
Inked on serial numbers as follows ...
Aged - Ace Frehley 001 through Ace Frehley 100
VOS - AFB 001 through AFB 150
Aged & Signed - Ace Frehley #2 through Ace Frehley #51 - $12,000 to $15,000 US
** What about Ace Frehley #1 you ask ? Click here
Aged (not signed) - Ace Frehley 001 through Ace Frehley 100 - $7,000 to $10,000 US
AFB 001 through AFB 150 - $7,500 to $10,000 US
* The 2023 Vintage Buyers Guide states "All Options - $4,200 to $5,500"
"All Options" means all variants (Aged & Signed, Aged & VOS) of the Budokan model.
2011 - Gibson USA Budokan model
Gibson USA Les Paul Custom
Ace Frehley Budokan Signature Les Paul Guitar
Built between August and November of 2011
* Binding on the front of the body, only
Stamped serial numbers
Heritage Cherry Sunburst - $2,500 to $4,500 US
2011 - Epiphone Budokan model
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul Guitar
Built in 2011
Inked on serial numbers
Heritage Cherry Sunburst - $1,500 to $2,500 US
2015 - Gibson Custom Shop model "The Frehley Burst"
Gibson Custom Shop
Ace Frehley 1959 Les Paul - "The Frehley Burst"
Built between January and March of 2015
Aged & Signed - Ace Frehley #1 through Ace Frehley #51
* Each guitar was personally signed and numbered by Ace Frehley (see footnote below)
#1 has Ace's signature, the number #1 and a lightning bolt
#10, #20, #30, #40 & #50 all have Ace's signature, the specific number and an Ace of Hearts
#27 (Ace's lucky number) has Ace's signature, an Ace of Hearts and a "planet and stars" doodle
All other Aged & Signed guitars have Ace's signature, the Ace of Hearts and the specific number
Ace Frehley #1 (Ace Frehley owned and played) - sold for $37,000 at auction
Ace Frehley #27 - $25,000 to $30,000 US
Ace Frehley #10, #20, #30, #40, #50 & #51 - $20,000 to $25,000
All other Aged & Signed "Frehley Burst" guitars - $12,000 to $20,000 US
The quality of the flame top makes a HUGE difference in the value of these guitars
Inked on serial numbers as follows ...
Vintage Gloss - AF 001 through AF 250
Aged (not signed) - $10,000+
*Note - Approximately 18-24 of these started out as Vintage Gloss and were sent back to Gibson Custom
to be aged
Vintage Gloss (not aged) - $6,500 to $8,500 US
Increased value for 'flame-top'
