Definitely not easy to make a short description of what this unique instrument really is… It started as a Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Junior in 2010. Then in 2012, its first owner sent it to Mary Robison, who since the 70s has created and modified many of Ace Frehley’s guitars. Mary and her husband toured regularly for years, even decades, with KISS, and the original New York Groove, commonly known as “Light Guitar”, mirror guitars, guitars that smoke or explode or spit flames are all creations of Mary. This mad scientist as she called herself was really a character apart, having worked with Pink Floyd and as you understood KISS, having participated in a number of scientific creations. Mary was an eminent science teacher in various American establishments such as UMass Amherst, Holyoke Community College, Salter College and the Springfield Renaissance School. A hell of a character!!!

Back to this unique guitar. In 2012, on the advice of his friend Ace Frehley, the owner of this Reissue 57 Les Paul Junior contacted Mary and had his guitar sent to her, to have it modified and transformed into a New York Groove Guitar – “Light Guitar”, similar to the one of the prestigious KISS guitarist. At the same time, Ace sends his, the original, because a lot of parts and things weren’t working anymore. Throughout the Les Paul Junior transformation process, Mary was comparing it to the Ace original, and there are even some parts that were taken from the original and put on the modified Les Paul. We have all the emails and details, as well as the photos of the modification process of this Gibson Les Paul Junior Reissue 57. The modifications are numerous, thus, the body has been hollowed out, electronics with many LEDs have been installed, more efficient and far more energy efficient than Ace Frehley’s original New York Groove – “Light Guitar”. A Humbucker has been installed, Grover tuners with transparent buttons like Ace have been fitted. This guitar looks just like the original.

Despite beeing severly ill, Mary insisted on finishing this guitar and shortly before she passed away, Ace requested that this modified Reissue 57 be sent to him first. Unfortunately, Mary passed away on March 24, 2014, the guitar was sent a few weeks later to Ace Frehley. He received it on April 23, 2014 at his address on Broadway in New York… The document that Ace signed with his real name for the reception of this unique guitar is attached with other documents in this sale. Ace obviously didn’t keep this guitar for long because it belonged to his friend, and the original owner obviously wanted it back.

This unique creation, of which videos are still circulating on Youtube or other platforms at the time of the modification process, then had a second life in the hands of its first and only legitimate owner, if we exclude Mary, who kept it for almost 2 years, and Ace Frehley. Frontman of one of the best cover bands of KISS, its owner has done years of shows in Canada and the USA. Virtually life-size shows, with original items, artifacts, instruments and costumes that belonged to KISS members. This superb and unique guitar was signed on the back of the headstock by Ace Frehley in 2015, and he made a very large sketch on the metal pickguard on the back of the guitar. This superb Ace Frehley New York Groove Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Junior comes with its original COA, many documents, photos signed by Ace Frehley, goodies, and of course the signed paper of Ace Frehley’s real name for the reception of the guitar in April 2014. It’s definitely a unique and historical piece.

Comes with its original hardcase.