When we say "Played, Worn, & Torn," we truly mean it. Like a curated museum of music history, and this year's collection is packed with some of the most unique, custom-built, and downright wild guitars we've ever seen.

This bi-annual event taking place November 20-21 in Nashville is anchored by incredible private collections from Metallica's Kirk Hammett, U2's Adam Clayton, and Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee. What makes this even cooler is that portions of the proceeds from these collections will benefit MusiCares®, All Within My Hands, St. Jude's Children's Hospitals, and Teen Cancer America. We'll also see lots supporting the great work of Gibson Gives.

And while the catalog is packed with holy-grail items from legends like Keith Richards, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and B.B. King, we're here to spotlight the axes that break the mold. These guitars aren't just unique for who played them—they're unique because of what they are.

Let's dive into the weird, the rare, and the one-of-a-kind.

The Showstopper: Ace Frehley's "Shooter" Les Paul

It doesn't get more "rock and roll" than a guitar that shoots rockets. This is it. This c. 1998 Gibson Ace Frehley Signature Les Paul is the real deal, stage-played by the Spaceman himself during KISS’s Psycho Circus and Farewell Tours.

The Mod

A guitar of pure rock theater. Where the neck pickup controls would be, there’s a four-position rotary switch and a push button. Their job? To activate the headstock-mounted rocket launcher for that explosive solo crescendo. The neck was even modified with extra binding, likely to hide the wires.

The Provenance

The guitar that defined the spectacle of those final KISS tours. It's signed on the back by Ace with a playing card and stars, and the case is signed, too. It’s a functional piece of pyrotechnic art and arguably one of the most "KISS" artifacts in existence.

The Kirk Hammett Collection: A Cabinet of Curiosities

Kirk Hammett's collection is a massive part of this auction, and while it's full of gems, some stand out for their sheer originality.

1996 ESP "Wavecaster" (The "Lava Lamp" Guitar)

If you were a Metallica fan in the mid-90s, you know this guitar. Stage-played extensively during the Load and ReLoad era tours, this ESP is made of clear Lucite and filled with a colored fluid that moves, giving it a psychedelic, lava-lamp vibe. It’s famously featured on the Cunning Stunts DVD. It’s heavy, it's weird, and it's an unmistakable icon of that era.

Washburn "Bride of Frankenstein" Prototype

This guitar tells a story. As Kirk tells it, this 2006 Washburn Custom Shop X series is the prototype for his "Bride of Frankenstein" model. Kirk's love of classic horror is legendary—it's fueled his collection and his music. This guitar, with its stunning stone lithography-style art, is a direct link to that passion. It’s not just a signature model; it’s the origin of one.

1990 Gibson F-5L Mandolin

Yes, a mandolin. From the lead guitarist of Metallica. This piece shows Kirk's depth as a musician and collector. This isn't just any mandolin; it's an F-5L, Gibson's attempt to recapture the magic of the original, coveted Lloyd Loar mandolins from the 1920s. Signed by master luthier Steve Carlson, it’s a beautiful, rare instrument that proves a true musician's collection is never just one-note.

ESP KH-2 "William Taylor Booth Art"

While the KH-2 is Kirk's signature model, this one is unique. It served as a canvas for artist William Booth Taylor, who covered the guitar in his distinctive art, featuring crosshairs, firing guns, and the words "victim" and "sin." It transforms a production model into a unique piece of art, straight from Kirk's personal collection.

One-of-One: The Artist's Personal Touch

These guitars were custom-built for the legends who played them, making them truly one-of-a-kind.

Eddie Van Halen's EVH Peavey Wolfgang "Star" Prototype

This is the stuff of legend. C. 2002, this Peavey EVH Wolfgang Special "Star" Prototype is one of only two such guitars made for presentation to Eddie Van Halen. Eddie kept the red one. This is the black one. It’s a prototype, so it has no serial number. It's an artifact from EVH's constant search for the perfect tool, a piece of guitar R&D history that was held back from the public and is now, finally, seeing the light.

Tommy Lee's Custom Leather-Wrapped Martin

Perhaps one of the most personal instruments in the entire auction. It's a Martin DC Aura Dreadnought acoustic, but its entire body has been wrapped in custom black leather. Stitched into the design are the names of his family: "Tommy" on the top, "Pamela" on the side, and "Dylan" and "Blue Brandon" on the back. It’s an intimate, one-of-a-kind piece from a rock icon.

Carlos Santana's "Blue Jean" PRS

Inscribed "Custom Built For Carlos Santana" on the headstock, this 2005 PRS Santana II is pure Carlos. It features his signature mother of pearl OM symbol on the truss rod cover and pearl purfling on the body. He nicknamed it "Blue Jean," and it was stage-played at the 2007 Dream Concert for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial. In a perfect example of a guitar's life, the transparent "Faded Denim" finish has aged to a mild green tint, a story told by time and UV exposure.

Billy Gibbons' "Billy Bo" Gretsch with Bob Bond Pinstripes

It doesn't get cooler than this. This 2007 Gretsch Billy Bo Jupiter Thunderbird was built for Billy Gibbons by luthier John Bolin. But the real personal touch? The entire white-finished body was hand-pinstriped by the famed artist Bob Bond. It was heavily used on ZZ Top’s 2007-2008 tours, making this a road-tested piece of custom art from one of rock's most stylish icons.

Matthias Jabs' "Scorpion" Leather Stratocaster

This is a true masterwork. This 2004 Fender Custom Shop Strat was built specifically for the Scorpions guitarist by Fender Masterbuilder John English. Then, it was handed over to artist Bill Wall in Malibu, who wrapped the entire body in custom leather featuring intricate scorpion designs and rivets. Signed by Jabs, it’s a stunning example of next-level, bespoke guitar artistry.

Slash's "Ukraine Relief" Les Paul

A one-of-one for a one-of-a-kind cause. This 2022 Gibson Slash Les Paul was custom-finished in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag for the Gibson Gives Ukraine Relief auction. Slash then took it on stage, playing it with Guns N' Roses in Prague on June 18, 2022. It's a guitar with a custom finish, a specific purpose, and a major rock-and-roll pedigree.

The Bottom Line

From guitars that shoot rockets to prototypes built for gods and deeply personal custom acoustics, this auction is way more than just celebrity-owned instruments. These axes are chapters of music history, each with a unique story, architecture, and soul.

And this is just a taste. The full "Played, Worn, & Torn" catalog also features the aforementioned '60 Les Paul played by Keith Richards, a stage-played "Lucille" from B.B. King, and so much more.

We'll see you in Nashville on November 20-21. This is one you don't want to miss.