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One of Ace Frehley’s legendary “smoker” guitars, which he played during Kiss’ 2000-2001 Farewell Tour, is up for auction.
The custom Gibson Les Paul “Smoker” guitar with a sunburst finish, signed by Frehley, sold through GottaHaveRockandRoll.com. Sales begin November 19th and end December 5th.
Origin and use of the guitar
While Frehley played smoker guitars for much of his career, this one dates back to the turn of the millennium. He played them extensively during the Kiss Psycho Circus World Tour in 1999 and also on the band’s subsequent Farewell Tour, which was Frehley’s final appearance with Kiss.
A representative from GottaHaveRockandRoll.com says the guitar “comes directly from Ace.” The lot also includes several photos of Frehley with the guitar and a signed certificate of authenticity.
Technology and history of modification
Frehley, who died last month at the age of 74, was known for adding special effects to his guitars, adding smoke, pyrotechnics and flashing lights to his already explosive solos and riffs.
The “Smoker” guitar was probably Frehley’s most famous modification, first used around 1975. In an interview last year, Frehley said he first tried putting smoke bombs into a small cavity in his Les Paul and then lighting them with a lighter.
Development of the smoke effect
But as you might expect, “that ended up ruining all the volume and tone controls,” Frehley said. Working with an engineer, he found a clever solution. The neck pickup on his guitar, which Frehley never used, was removed and he placed smoke bombs and a halogen lamp in the cavity. These were connected to a cable that ran back to the soundboard, where a roadie could trigger phantom power, lighting up both the lamp and the smoke bombs.
Further development of the effects
He later replaced the smoke bombs with a small smoke machine due to the risk of fire. In a 2013 interview with ROLLING STONE, Frehley spoke about how he inspired an entire generation of guitarists, not only as a musician but also as an innovator.
“I hear that from guitarists all the time. They say, ‘Ace, I never would have started playing guitar without you,'” Frehley said.
Legacy of Ace Frehley
He added: “I’m always thinking up new things. I don’t just have a few successful ones [Gibson] Signature Series guitars, but was an innovator with special effects on the guitar from the start. First my smoking guitar, then my light guitar and then my rocket guitar. No one has ever done that in the history of rock and roll.”