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Used Epiphone Ace Frehley Signature "Budokan" Les Paul Custom 2012 - Faded Cherry Sunburst
Excellent Condition
275
275 views
3
3 watchers
$2,495.00
+$95.00 Shipping
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March 25, 2026.
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Pickup Optional
in Brooksville, FL
Sweetwater's Gear
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This item is sold as is. Seller has a "No Returns" policy. However, you may still be eligible for a return or refund if the item arrives damaged, defective, or not as described and you report the issue within 7 days of delivery.
Item Description
Listed 2 months ago
I’ve handled a lot of Les Paul variants over the years, and this 2012 Epiphone Ace Frehley Signature “Budokan” Les Paul Custom is one of those guitars that instantly feels different the moment you see it. This particular one nails the look that made the original so memorable—three pickups, that unmistakable faded cherry burst, and all the little visual details that make it feel more like a tribute piece with real personality than just another signature model. Epiphone released this as a limited run of 1,000 guitars in 2012, modeled after Ace’s Budokan-era Les Paul, and yours is #718, which is a huge part of the appeal here. It also came from the factory with the custom Budokan hardshell case and numbered COA, exactly the kind of stuff collectors want to see still intact.
Condition-wise, this one presents beautifully. It’s in excellent shape with only minimal signs of wear, and that matters on a guitar like this because most of the surviving examples have usually picked up more handling marks by now. The top is just flat-out cool—the way the cherry fades into the sunburst has a ton of character, and it gives the guitar a much sweeter, more vintage-inspired look than a lot of louder signature models. The pearl tuner buttons are a killer touch, and the volute behind the headstock adds to that very intentional late-’70s feel these were going for. That run also used details like a mahogany body, 3-piece maple top, 3-piece mahogany set neck, ebony fingerboard, and a SlimTaper C profile, so it’s not just visually interesting—it’s built with some genuinely strong specs too.
Where these really separate themselves is the electronics. This model shipped with three humbuckers, using DiMarzio PAF-style pickups in the neck and middle positions and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, which is a huge part of why these have such a reputation for sounding alive and aggressive. The wiring is also part of the story—like Ace’s own three-pickup setup, it’s not wired like a standard two-humbucker Les Paul, which is exactly why it has that quirky charm and different switching behavior players always talk about. In practical terms, it gives this guitar a much more distinctive personality than a standard Custom-style build.
What stood out to me
• The fade on this top is unreal—super tasteful, and one of the coolest-looking Budokan examples I’ve seen
• Being #718 of only 1,000 made makes it feel that much more special
• The three-pickup layout and Ace-style wiring give it a character all its own
• The pearl tuner buttons and that volute behind the headstock are such cool period-style details
• It comes with the original Budokan case and COA, which is a big deal on one of these
• Hard to find these in this kind of condition now, especially with the full presentation factor still there
Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.
⏳ Quick note
These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 1–5 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!
Condition-wise, this one presents beautifully. It’s in excellent shape with only minimal signs of wear, and that matters on a guitar like this because most of the surviving examples have usually picked up more handling marks by now. The top is just flat-out cool—the way the cherry fades into the sunburst has a ton of character, and it gives the guitar a much sweeter, more vintage-inspired look than a lot of louder signature models. The pearl tuner buttons are a killer touch, and the volute behind the headstock adds to that very intentional late-’70s feel these were going for. That run also used details like a mahogany body, 3-piece maple top, 3-piece mahogany set neck, ebony fingerboard, and a SlimTaper C profile, so it’s not just visually interesting—it’s built with some genuinely strong specs too.
Where these really separate themselves is the electronics. This model shipped with three humbuckers, using DiMarzio PAF-style pickups in the neck and middle positions and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, which is a huge part of why these have such a reputation for sounding alive and aggressive. The wiring is also part of the story—like Ace’s own three-pickup setup, it’s not wired like a standard two-humbucker Les Paul, which is exactly why it has that quirky charm and different switching behavior players always talk about. In practical terms, it gives this guitar a much more distinctive personality than a standard Custom-style build.
What stood out to me
• The fade on this top is unreal—super tasteful, and one of the coolest-looking Budokan examples I’ve seen
• Being #718 of only 1,000 made makes it feel that much more special
• The three-pickup layout and Ace-style wiring give it a character all its own
• The pearl tuner buttons and that volute behind the headstock are such cool period-style details
• It comes with the original Budokan case and COA, which is a big deal on one of these
• Hard to find these in this kind of condition now, especially with the full presentation factor still there
Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.
⏳ Quick note
These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 1–5 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!
