{"product_id":"epiphone-ace-frehley-signature-budokan-les-paul-custom-2012-faded-cherry-sunburst","title":"Epiphone Ace Frehley Signature \"Budokan\" Les Paul Custom 2012 - Faded Cherry Sunburst","description":"\u003cp\u003eI’ve handled a lot of Les Paul variants over the years, and this \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2012 Epiphone Ace Frehley Signature “Budokan” Les Paul Custom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003elimited run of 1,000 guitars in 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, modeled after Ace’s Budokan-era Les Paul, and yours is \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#718\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, which is a huge part of the appeal here. It also came from the factory with the \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecustom Budokan hardshell case and numbered COA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, exactly the kind of stuff collectors want to see still intact. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCondition-wise, this one presents beautifully. It’s in \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eexcellent shape with only minimal signs of wear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003echerry fades into the sunburst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epearl tuner buttons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e are a killer touch, and the \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003evolute behind the headstock\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e adds to that very intentional late-’70s feel these were going for. That run also used details like a \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003emahogany body, 3-piece maple top, 3-piece mahogany set neck, ebony fingerboard, and a SlimTaper C profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, so it’s not just visually interesting—it’s built with some genuinely strong specs too. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere these really separate themselves is the electronics. This model shipped with \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ethree humbuckers\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, using \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiMarzio PAF-style pickups in the neck and middle positions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e and a \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, 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 \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003enot wired like a standard two-humbucker Les Paul\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat stood out to me\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e• The \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003efade on this top\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e is unreal—super tasteful, and one of the coolest-looking Budokan examples I’ve seen\u003cbr\u003e • Being \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e#718 of only 1,000 made\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e makes it feel that much more special\u003cbr\u003e • The \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ethree-pickup layout and Ace-style wiring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e give it a character all its own\u003cbr\u003e • The \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epearl tuner buttons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e and that \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003evolute behind the headstock\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e are such cool period-style details\u003cbr\u003e • It comes with the \u003cb\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Budokan case and COA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, which is a big deal on one of these\u003cbr\u003e • Hard to find these in this kind of condition now, especially with the full presentation factor still there\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e⏳ Quick note\u003cbr\u003e 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!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Epiphone","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46326297460907,"sku":"EP-BUDO-031726","price":2495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/8344\/1579\/files\/cc53d910-b11a-4e26-afa3-c9d8d68be777.jpg?v=1773798608","url":"https:\/\/aeonicfrets.com\/products\/epiphone-ace-frehley-signature-budokan-les-paul-custom-2012-faded-cherry-sunburst","provider":"Aeonic Frets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}