Ace Frehley reveals he's working with Gibson on a signature “Black Beauty” Les Paul Custom

Gibson may be producing an Ace Frehley "Black Beauty" Les Paul
(Image credit: Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

Ace Frehley is one the A-list stars participating in the Virtual Guitar Show, a massive guitar and bass guitar celebration taking place right now across MusicRadar in association with Guitar World, Guitarist, Guitar Techniques, Guitar Player, Bass Player and Total Guitar.

As part of the show, Frehley sat down for an interview with MusicRadar, during which he let slip some mouthwatering guitar news – that there’s an official Frehley “Black Beauty'” Les Paul release in the works from Gibson. 

"The next model that Gibson is going to put out is the 'Black Beauty,' which I used in the ‘70s for the most part," he said. "I’ve been in touch with Gibson and I’ve got three models out right now. This would be the fourth."

The iconic model had been stashed away in one of the Kiss great’s storage lockers until he dug it out for the cover shoot for his 2018 solo album, Spaceman.

“I’ve got seven storage lockers, and I went into one prior to the photos for Spaceman, and I found that black guitar,” Frehley said.

"I got that in shape and threw some new strings on it and we did the photo session. Everybody got excited about it. I started using it live for a few shows. Great guitar. I am excited that Gibson is going to put it out.”

When asked whether any other guitar companies had ever approached him about signature models, he responded that Gibson is always tops in his mind.

"I’m loyal to Gibson because as far as I am concerned the Les Paul is the best," he said. "Think about all the great guitar players, and they’ve all played Les Pauls."

The Virtual Guitar Show takes place today and tomorrow (September 25 and 26). In addition to Frehley, the lineup features exclusive lessons and interviews with Guns N' Roses’ Richard Fortus, Joe Satriani, Samantha Fish, Bumblefoot, Kirk Fletcher, Jared James Nichols, Cory Wong,  King Crimson's Jakko Jakszyk, Erja Lyytinen, Primal Scream bassist Simone Butler, Gojira's Joe Duplantier and Brian Fallon.

To experience the show for yourself, head over to MusicRadar.

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Richard Bienstock

Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.