Ace Frehley’s Iconic “Smoker” Les Paul From His Final Kiss Tour Heads to Auction
Photo by Casablanca Records (cropped), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A Legendary Guitar Goes on the Block
One of Ace Frehley’s well-known “Smoker” Les Paul guitars, used during his final tours with Kiss, is officially heading to auction. The news comes only weeks after Frehley, known to fans as the Spaceman, passed away at age 74. His former bandmates honored him with an unplugged tribute performance over the weekend, and now a piece closely tied to his legacy is set to be sold.
This particular Gibson Les Paul was modified to hold a smoke bomb in the neck pickup, creating the dramatic stage effect Frehley became famous for. Over the years, he used several versions of the “smoker” guitar, along with one instrument that even launched small rockets from its headstock. That rocket-firing model was auctioned off in 2022, and now another piece of Frehley’s collection is drawing attention.
The Guitar’s History and Upcoming Auction
Frehley first introduced a smoky Les Paul in 1975, though the model hitting the auction block has a later history. It was played during Kiss’s Psycho Circus and Farewell tours between 1999 and 2001—performances that marked Frehley’s final full runs with the group. The guitar’s connection to these important tours has made it especially meaningful to fans and collectors.
According to Rolling Stone, the sale is being managed by Gotta Have Rock and Roll. Bidding opens today, November 19, with a minimum price of $100,000. The same auction house previously sold Randy Rhoads’ Quiet Riot Les Paul in July. This auction is scheduled to run until December 5, giving collectors a short window to acquire one of Frehley’s most recognizable pieces.
View this post on Instagram
Ace Frehley on Creating the “Smoker” Guitar
Frehley once explained the origins of his idea. “I first came up with the idea of doing the smoking guitar on our very first tour; I used to light it with a cigarette lighter, but it ended up screwing up all the volume and tone controls,” he told Cassius Morris. “So I got together with an engineer, and he made a fake pickup, and we used asbestos so the heat of the bomb wouldn’t harm the wood.”
As Kiss grew and production budgets increased, the modifications became more advanced. Early versions used a phantom-powered light bulb inside the pickup cavity, controlled through Frehley’s pedalboard by a backstage tech. Later guitars were hollowed out to fit a battery-powered device that Frehley could operate using the pickup controls. Each update allowed him to refine one of rock’s most recognizable stage effects.
Remembering Frehley’s Influence
Tributes to Frehley have been widespread since his passing. Tom Morello said he owes the guitarist a “life debt” for his influence, while Justin Hawkins remembered him as a musician with a sharp sense of humor. Guitar World correspondent Andrew Daly, who formed a friendship with Frehley through interviews over the years, also reflected on the legacy of the late guitarist.
For more details on the auction, fans can visit Gotta Have Rock and Roll and explore the listing tied to one of Frehley’s most iconic instruments.
.jpg){kind=link}