A Perfect Circle guitarist and co-founder Billy Howerdel has partnered with ANALOGr for an auction of instruments, recording equipment and artifacts from across his career and the band’s history. More than 120 pieces of gear, memorabilia and rare collectibles will be available, with bidding opening on November 8 and closing on November 16, 2026.
Preview the auction here.
The preview, with photos and video pieces featuring Howerdel, is live now. The pieces are grouped as an ArtistFirst Collection, and many of them were used on recordings and tours that fans know well.
Highlights From the Collection
- “Youth Number Three (Beautiful Losers)”: the original oil painting by Steven R. Gilmore featured on the interior of Mer de Noms
- Yamaha AES 1500 guitar: mainly a studio guitar, used on “The Noose,” “Vanishing” and throughout Thirteenth Step, with occasional live use
- Fender Tone Master head and cabinet: bought after the band’s first tour for Mer de Noms and used exclusively in the studio from Thirteenth Step onward
- Apogee Model PS 1000: producer Alan Moulder convinced Howerdel to buy it, and it was used extensively on Mer de Noms
- Gibson Goldtone GA-15RV amp: used in the studio from Thirteenth Step onward, with some touring use, and modified by producer Dave Friedman
The Sound Behind A Perfect Circle
Howerdel has been a driving force in alternative rock since the late 1990s. His atmospheric guitar work, layered arrangements and careful production shaped A Perfect Circle’s landmark albums Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step. Before the band, he worked as a guitar tech for Nine Inch Nails and The Smashing Pumpkins, and outside it he has led Ashes Divide and released solo music.
The auction lands during a strong year for the band. “Starless” reached number one at Active Rock radio, and they followed it with “To Whom It May Concern” and an extensive 2027 North American tour.
Our Take
Gear auctions are usually for collectors, but this one has real history in it. The Apogee unit that Alan Moulder pushed Howerdel to buy helped shape the sound of Mer de Noms, and the Gilmore painting is part of the album’s visual identity. For guitar players who grew up learning those songs, this is a rare chance to own a piece of how they were made. It is also a reminder of how much of a band’s character lives in the gear chosen behind the scenes.
