STEPHEN CARPENTER’s Guitar Used On DEFTONES’ Classics Ain’t Cheap These Days

If you needed proof that Deftones‘ White Pony is more than just a cult classic, here it is: Stephen Carpenter‘s ESP Horizon Custom — used during the album’s sessions, tour, and in iconic videos — has just been appraised at a staggering $55,000.

The price tag makes a bit more sense when you consider White Pony just scored its second platinum certification in the U.S. this July, marking over two million copies sold. Or the fact that every band within the past few years is either citing Deftones as an influence or just straight up trying to sound like them… or that Deftones has always been popular. There are a lot of reasons here, I guess is what I’m saying.

The guitar’s story runs deep. Before White Pony, Carpenter used the same axe to track Deftones‘ breakthrough Around The Fur — it’s even the guitar pictured in the album’s liner notes. It went on to soundtrack White Pony‘s biggest moments, appearing in the “Change (In The House Of Flies)” and “Back To School” videos, serving as a touring workhorse, and even popping up on live TV spots.

The ESP changed hands to a private collector last year. That new owner recently got it officially appraised, with the value driven up by the album’s renewed success and platinum status. Sol Invicto, Carpenter‘s side project, posted about the guitar’s lineage, calling it “a fine piece of history” and confirming its authenticity via Carpenter himself.

“Recently appraised $55,000 due to recent platinum status achievements and new found success. ‘This is the actual guitar Stephen Carpenter (Deftones/Sol Invicto) used to record Around The Fur (it’s the guitar photographed in the liner notes) and some songs from White Pony. It was also used in the ‘Change (In The House Of Flies)’ and ‘Back To School’ music videos. It was also a touring guitar for a few years and appeared on a few live TV performances.’

“It’s crazy that White Pony was 25 years old this year, even crazier that one of our own fans owns one of the ESP’s used to record it… I sent the photos over to Stephen and he confirmed and authenticated the below, a fine piece of history there! So good to see it in safe hands! With original Hed PE and Stuck Mojo stickers!”

Pre-orders for Deftones‘ new record Private Music are available here. You can also catch Deftones at one of their many tour dates below in support of the new record. Get your tickets here.

8/22 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/24 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/25 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/27 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Centre (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/29 Minneapolis, MN Target Center (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
8/30 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
9/1 Buffalo, NY Key Bank Center (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
9/3 Toronto, ON Rogers Stadium (w/ System Of A Down, Polyphia & Wisp)
9/5 Toronto, ON Rogers Stadium (w/ System Of A Down, Polyphia & Wisp)
9/7 Quebec City, QC Centre Videotron (w/ Phantogram & The Barbarians Of California)
9/8 Montreal, QC Bell Centre (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/10 Cleveland, OH Rocket Arena (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/11 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/13 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/15 Denver, CO Ball Arena (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/17 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center (w/ IDLES & The Barbarians Of California)
9/19 Atlanta, GA Shaky Knees
9/20 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life
10/3 Sacramento, CA Aftershock