Ace Frehley’s ‘Budokan’ Guitar, Kirk Hammett’s ‘Black Album’ Ouija Guitar Go to Action

By Kory Grow

Kory Grow

Guitars important to the histories of Johnny Cash, Kiss‘ Ace Frehley, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, and others will find new owners at the end of the month. Auction house Julien’s will sell 650 items as part of its Music Icons series in New York City on May 29 and 30. Items from the auction will be on view at New York’s Hard Rock Café beginning May 13.

One of the most interesting pieces is the Man in Black’s 1954 Martin D18 guitar, which he played when he made his Grand Ole Opry debut, playing “Folsom City Blues” and “I Walk the Line” in July 1956. Julien’s reports that he also recorded those two songs on the guitar, as well as “Hey, Porter” and “There You Go.” The auction house estimates it will sell for between $100,000 and $200,000.

Another notable guitar is Frehley’s 1975 Gibson Les Paul, his #1 “Budokan” instrument that he played at every concert between 1976 and 1979, essentially between their Rock and Roll Over and Dynasty albums. He also used it to record Kiss’ Love Gun album, and recordings from Tokyo’s Budokan, for which he named the album, appeared on Alive II. Julien’s expects a Kiss fan to bid between $400,000 and $600,000.

The auction also features the 1997 Gibson Signature Les Paul Custom that Frehley played at Super Bowl XXXIII ($40,000 – $60,000) and a Light Show Sanchez Custom Gibson Les Paul Jr. that Frehley used on Kiss’ 1996 reunion tour, including the band’s famous Brooklyn Bridge gig for MTV ($10,000 – $15,000).

The auction will also feature other notable guitars. Kirk Hammett’s 1993 ESP decorated with a glow-in-the-dark Ouija board design is expected to sell for between $250,000 and $350,000. He used it to record Metallica’s “Black Album,” Load, ReLoad, Garage Inc., and Death Magnetic albums, and it includes the following handwritten note: “This was one of my main touring + recording guitars throughout the ’90s.”

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