Wow, that one is really amazing !! Gibson has often made Artist Proofs of their exclusive series and reproductions of famous guitars, and obviously, prior to the release in 2015 of the famous limited edition Ace Frehley Gibson Les Paul 1959, a few Artist Proofs of different versions, VOS and Aged, were produced and especially were sent to Ace Frehley. Some were returned and resold immediately after being photographed and signed by Ace, and others became part of his collection and were played by Ace Frehley. This is the case of the Artist Proof #1 AGED, which you can see at the top left of the photo taken in Ace Frehley’s living room. Gibson produced 50 Aged and Signed, 250 versions in VOS, like new, and it is said that about 25 Aged versions exist… And at best 5 Artist Proof Aged could have been produced and sent to Ace Frehley before final production from 2015 according to one picture I own… Some sellers mentioned 4 Artist Proof VOS, but since Ace received them all and the photo of his living room that I got from a friend of his shows 5 Aged version and 6 unworn VOS versions, we can imagine that among the 5 Aged versions, there are its Artist Proof Aged… But how many of the 5 are Artist Proof…? The Artist Proof #2 AGED was sold for $23,000 a few years ago and didn’t have a drawing of Ace (for reference, an Artist Proof VOS, #1, with a small drawing on the back also sold a few years ago for around $17,000, and the VOS Artist Proof #3 without drawing went for $16,000). But everything is relative knowing that the original 59 from Ace, owned by Al Romano since the 80s, was on sale for $999,999 in 2015… Anyway, let’s talk about our guitar.

This unique piece is a beauty and one of the best Les Pauls that Leadmusic ever had. Its provenance is truly exceptional because this Artist Proof #1 AGED was sent to Ace Frehley and remained with him. Ace sold it to a friend of his, an excellent musician and collector, who happens to be the guitarist and frontman of one of the best KISS cover bands in Canada, and who toured for a few years with different instruments, costumes, accessories and original KISS’s stages items. The photos of Ace signing his Artist Proof #1 AGED and taking the time to do a large drawing on the back of the guitar were taken when Ace sold this unique instrument. Then the COVID arrived, I’m not drawing you a picture, but it gave me the opportunity last year to acquire this superb and rare guitar.

Gibson’s True Historic versions, started in 2015 and discontinued about two years later, have made their mark and remain the most sought after pieces by lovers of Collector’s Choice, Aged or Aged and Signed and rare guitars that Gibson has produced under this name, such as the Rick Nielsen, the Mark Knopfler and of course the Ace Frehley. No doubt that to have the approval of the artist, Gibson sent Artist Proof that were the best instruments they built. This guitar is fantastic, in weight, resonance, comfort and has the specifications specific to these few years of manufacture, such as the True Historic carved dish, the True Historic plastics and the Hot Hide-glued top and double carved maple top and rosewood fretboard. In short, expensive specifications that Gibson did not keep long.

This rare Ace Frehley Gibson Les Paul 1959 Aged Artist Proof #1 AGED owned and played by Ace Frehley is in excellent condition, obviously with the usual Aging marks from the Gibson Custom Shop, and comes with many goodies and documents, such its original COA, many autographed photos by Ace Frehley, photos of Ace signing and drawing on the instrument or even the original strings played by Ace. Unique piece that will obviously delight fans, but not only, because this guitar is a marvel of Les Paul !!!