Apparently, the staff were all in a meeting when Gene burst into the room - unannounced. The first G model is a Thunderbird Bass. Of course, being so open about his relationships hasnt always sat well with everyone else. Gene brings out the metal flake Grabber for 100,000 years at Winterland. I have yet to figure out what this bridge was. The technical info on the EB-0 is taken from the January 2007 issue of Vintage Guitar (also avilable online). 1970 replacement Gibson pickup has been added and moved closer to the bridge; and a new, custom shape pickguard has been added. The friend in question? It seems that Gene thinks its time for one genre in particular to disappear: rap. My theory is that this is the third Spector mentioned on the Spector web site (I will more or less ignore the all-black curiosity above for now). For me it was also pragmatism, because I already owned the word Axe as it relates to musical instruments, so I hand-designed it, and I still have the original artwork and it looks very much like the Axe thats available today. The basic design of the bass has changed a little through the years and it's been made by several luthiers and companies. The one pic I've seen from San Antonio 77.11.22 is inconclusive as far as what knobs are on the bass. The Gibson Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass is out now, priced 2,499 / $2,799. Though he speaks measuredly . It turns out that some people were so offended by how Gene Simmons conducted himself and the thoughts he has on people suffering from their mental health that they decided to protest against the rockstar and his band. The rockstar tried to say Prince had turned to several cliches that often come with a time at the top and supposedly thought he was the best musician in the world. on August 28, 2019. Sadly, we get the feeling that Gene would have rocked a lot less face paint during his time in the classroom. Many people thought Gene was talking about those who suffer from their mental health. So much so that Gibson put out a demo vinyl record showcasing the various tones the system was capable of. Oftentimes we find that ownership of an idea is just as important as the idea itself. It's akin to a Thunderbird bridge but appears to be slightly larger. Like the best signature models, this is an instrument that ultimately inspires you to sound and play like the musician behind it, while also being capable of a lot more, from Motown to country, and with the right kind of EQ scoop and compression, even slapped funk even if its not aimed at such musicians. Below are pictures detailing the rather slight differences between them. The neck has pearl diamond inlays just like Gene's, and the detail in the paint and set up is just like the Demons. And for the Valdez Axe that's all she wrote. The Kiss aesthetic wont appeal tonon-fans. What are you waiting for. It's only taken us 50 years to go play the final shows 10 blocks away on 33rd Street, which is Madison Square Garden," the band's bass player, Gene Simmons, said on . Gene Simmons has played all sorts of instruments over the years, from the Charlie LoBue custom bass guitar heard on the early Kiss albums to his own Punisher and Axe signatures, although for a while in the mid-70s Simmons did experiment with Gibson Grabbers and Rippers. Perhaps the black blade wasn't quite "axe-like" enough because it was summarily refinished a matte silver by 79.06.20 when the promo videos were shot in Savannah. Stuart shaved down the normally bulbous horns of the SB-1 into points.". I originally thought that the natural satin finish, introduced in 1975 and seen in this well-known footage from San Fransisco 75.01.31, was Gene's first which was later re-finished but he actually had two Grabbers on the road with him and he used both during the Winterland show. Earliest known appearance of this version is 75.05.06 in Milwaukee, WI. His wife, Canadian actress and 1982 Playboy Playmate of the Year Shannon Tweed, just shelled out $5.8 million for a Malibu . It has been suggested that it was a series/parallell switch which is feasible. Whatever the new binding was actually made with it was one of the least durable materials in the known universe. Gene Simmons VaultCast Episode 1. The best indicator when it comes to Gene is the belt part of his cod piece which was leather for the Dynasty tour but got very distinct silvery scales for Unmasked.). What is a guitar but a collection of wood, magnets and metals? In an interview with his son for Esquire in 2014, Gene confessed he believes that rock music has finally come to an end, and even went as far as to say the music industry could be on its last legs. So I started out with the visuals, because when somebody walks in, that the first thing that hits them. I didnt know anything else about it the wood, the relationship of the bridge to the neck, I didnt think about any of that. Before we move forward we need to take a step back (and get a little ahead of ourselves) and adress a slight "wrinkle" in the photos. Sadly, that all changed in 2017 when the rockstar made a bit too much of a lasting impression at the new network after a meeting gone wrong. Some of the modifications included a special gloss black paint job with white binding along the sides of the body. That was until a friend suggested Gene get in touch with the singers best friend to try and find a Christmas present. After having used a few different basses during the time in Wicked Lester, an Epiphone that was stolen and a Fender P-bass with a Gibson EB-0 pickup, Gene finally found his weapon of choice in the shape of a Charlie LoBue custom bass. Sadly, things didnt quite work out for the star. . . Spector #1 LoBue custom Thunderbird Dan Armstrong. If Gene tried to use the Carr Axe live it probably turned out to be too heavy for use. 1's, Paul only changing from his own LoBue custom V when it was stolen. The result? Answer (1 of 7): When I was younger it was KISS that got me to listen to Heavy Metal and I thought then that Gene Simmons was the best period! The problem? Gene Simmons: "Everything Vinnie Vincent did sounded like Yngwie Malmsteen on crack". Gear 2021: Ending a big week for Gibson that began with the acquisition of Mesa/Boogie, the company has now announced a new partnership with Kiss icon Gene Simmons. The pics below are from a show in January, either on the 21st or 22nd. All rights reserved. An interesting aside is that the Grabber was the least expensive instrument in the Gibson 1975 catalogue, even cheaper than the Marauder that Paul smashed on a nightly basis. Alas, by mid-1977 the cherised LoBue's days are numbered. Because of this I will "narrate" this story as if there's a single Spector until much later when they are more easily identifiable. A complete rundown of the various basses used by Gene Simmons of KISS 1973-1992. It is also, when visible, curiously unaffected by lighting conditions. But in the three pictures below I'm having a. Gene Simmons Bass Solo Compilation from the beginning to the end! As for the modifications, it has been refinished and there's additional binding not on the original; under the bridge cover is a Leo Quan Badass bridge with the strings loading through the body via added string ferrules; a ca. This is where Gene's search for something very specific seems to start. My bass is the only musical instrument that is an 'invention'.". Search child forums as well You've written some truly timeless basslines over the years so what exactly is the Gene Simmons guide to finding the perfect part? 1996 Guitars that Rule the World, Metal Edge presents KISS Alive. Greg Kennelty. Exactly what happens to the LoBue is matter of some confusion. Gene Simmons, bass guitarist for Kiss, gets ready to breathe fire during the crescendo of "Firehouse," a number performed during a concert in Hartford, Conn., Feb. 18, 1977. Gene has gone through quite a few different basses over the years. Founding KISS bassist Gene Simmons has partnered with Gibson for a new line of electric guitars and basses dubbed G. Amit has been writing for titles likeTotal Guitar,MusicRadarandGuitar Worldfor over a decade and counts Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govan and Jeff Beck among his primary influences. According to Steve Carr his first version of the Axe shown below was made for Gene in 1978 and even used for a few shows that year but no photographic evidence of that exists. (My guess is that the P-bass pickup was added when it was painted black.) As Simmons explains, Well, you cant avoid feeling badass Its not the first instrument I think of when I want to play Yesterdayby The Beatles. The result? The final change in a very short time frame was the addition of a Gibson chrome bridge cover (mk VI). One can see the sparkling of the finish during his blood-spitting routine. One can also see that the material under the studs is completely different from the rest of the bass. One person in particular had plenty to say as Ice Cube took to social media, which started a pretty heated feud between the two. Gene Simmons has occupied the public consciousness since 1973, when Kiss first burst into the scene. To make sure no one thought that she was using her dad, Sophie would write her own music and send songs to record labels all off her own back. It turns out that Gene Simmons worked in a whole host of careers before he made his way to the world of rock and roll. All in all, this first offering from G2 delivers on virtually every front, from the dazzling black diamond aesthetic through to playability and versatility. The bass lines Gene plays on Kiss songs aren't terribly technically difficult to learn if you have the tabs or sheet music, but to write the bass lines Gene writes and hold down those grooves in the pocket, really requires a good understanding of what the bass is supposed to be used for. Why the other two remain unchanged is anyone's guess. I love it." Apparently, Gene wanted to sue everyone who shared copyrighted files, something that saw his site get taken down by Anonymous. After showing off a few licks, Simmons points out a particular passage he wants to learn, and Kaye obliges. The Serial Number for this Gene Simmons KISS: PUNISHER Bass Guitar is: #00896. Its one of the most distinctive signature models of all time, but how did the KISS Demon come up with his trusty four-string? The headstock featured Gene's autograph and the pointy shape of the head was mirrored by a bizarre pointed part below the bridge. After all, his stage show is often filled with performances of him showing off his impressive tongue skills and has been argued as one of the most iconic poses of all times. It turns out that none of the record labels Sophie contacted actually wanted to work with the star, meaning her plan worked and worked against her. The bassist will bring back the Gene Simmons' Axe MasterClass for fans . We will meet you at a designated area at the venue, prior to the show to organize details etc . In 1978 Gene recalled that: "[I used that bass] For about four years, until one night I threw it to my roadie. The legendary rocker Gene Simmons has gone through various hairstyles over the previous decade. On the other hand, Gene seems to think hes a part of the One percent as he confessed to being one of the wealthiest people out there during an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune. The basic design of the bass has changed a little through the years and it's been made by several luthiers and companies. The Q-system was designed by Bill Lawrence and was quite versatile. The first two are just simple changing of the knobs. PART I : Why there is virtually no bass on KISS' 80s music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgipSAdZiKw&t=3s If you like what you see please support_____. First off there is no Thunderbird logo visible in the few pics showing the white pickguard version which means that it's probably a replacement. . Cort GS Ax Punisher 2 Bass - One of Gene Simmons' two basses is a Cort GS Ax Punisher. It seems its something Genes kept up ever since. I think that when it comes to Bass ( Which I play Bass and Guitar among other instruments! ) Nashville, TN (January 8, 2021) -- Gibson, the iconic American guitar brand, has entered into a joint venture with Gene Simmons, international rock legend and co-founder of KISS, America's #1 gold record award-winning group of all time, in all categories (RIAA), to create G. [*] 1996 Guitars that Rule the World, Metal Edge presents KISS Alive! For Gene Simmons, playing with Kiss is more than being in a rock and roll band; its about being part of a rock and roll brand. Perhaps its no wonder that Gene has taken his idea of branding the band to the top and cultivated quite the brand over the years? As Simmons explains, I started out playing Ampeg SVTs and for a while we were going to do a line of SVT amps and they were originally going to be called The Punisher, and I was able to beat Marvel to the trademark for the name Punisher, even though they had a character named The Punisher. It's not immedeately obvious but if one looks closely at the pics below there are pieces of tape that are there to hold it in place. The reddish metal flake Grabber first shows up in Fayetteville, NC on 74.11.30 but it doesn't see steady action until 1975. Perhaps most importantly of all, its a bass thats tailor-made for conjuring this larger-than-life characters earth-conquering tones. The clip is an outtake from the 2012 documentary Sample This. If one is to believe the quote from Gene above it may just be locked away in storage since it didn't surface for the auction. In 2012, Madonna fans were in for a treat as the pop star was lined up to star at the Super Bowl halftime show. Studio legend Carol Kaye gave KISS bassist Gene Simmons an impromptu bass lesson at Sunset Sound studios in Hollywood, and luckily cameras were rolling to catch it. Viewed as a whole it is obvious that the LoBue was far and away Gene's favorite. There was once a time that Gene Simmons appeared to be on Fox News at every waking moment. The earliest known date for this is from Uniondale 79.09.01. The rockstar has been open about how hes never tried illegal substances and says that he doesnt get along with people who dabble with narcotics or those who have a dark cloud over their heads.. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. But at the end of the day a guitar is just a tool to create art. The theory is that this is a simple piece of tape covering up a hole that used to fit a mini switch and the photo from San Diego 77.08.19 even seem to show that hole. Sophie reportedly pestered major streaming sites instead. Its another to be such a great performer that you carry on with your show even when you take a tumble. The caption next to this Axe bass noted that it was a limited-edition built by Kramer. and I am certainly no expert on any of those instruments. Again it's the bridge that gets a change with a very odd combination. If theres one thing that Gene Simmons is proud of in his life, its the supposed number of women that hes been with throughout his career. It was a stab at the more affordable market then dominated by Fender so it was a straight-forward instrument without fancy inlays and with controls and pickups mounted on the scratchplate. Things didnt get off to a good start as he accused them of playing a victim, but he made things even worse by stating in an interview that they should take their own lives. Theres a lot to like about this costly Thunderbird, from its searing hot tones to that striking mirror-on-black aesthetic. The move to Gibsons during 1975 was purely financial. The LoBue worked tirelessly night in and night out and didn't go through any changes except the wear and tear of heavy use. The passing of Prince was a tragic day for millions of fans across the world. Then came the aftermath. Here we can see the outline of the tape coverup (check the full-size pic for better detail) for the last time. It looks as though Gene Simmons has plenty of opinions that he wants to share with the world, but not all of them have landed. There is a bass resembling the Grabber, based on the headstock, standing offstage in a pic from 76.02.01, in. Rock fans everywhere might disagree as Gene Simmons believes its time to give up on the genre. The two Gs have teamed to launch G - a whole range of electric guitar and bass . I don't often have a lot of good things to say about . This one-of-a-kind instrument recently (Oct 2005) sold on Ebay for $29, 995. The Ripper was introduced as the "big brother" to the Grabber in 1973. Apparently, he didnt like Terrys supposed holier-than-thou attitude. For the 1981 TV appearances in Mexico and the sattelite feed to the San Remo festival Gene relied on the Kramer Axe. In the video clip from In Concert below (shot on 74.02.21) we see the original incarnation of the LoBue in all its glory. I seem to remember there was a bass purporting to have belonged to Mr. Simmons on eBay, and a thread back in the DP2 days? All of his business-savvy moves and investing in several companies, such as a financial company, a restaurant chain, and a sports team, means hes earned quite the fortune over the years. The three-night stand in Detroit from 77.01.27, represented here by the pro-shot video from the third night, is the first sighting of the last incarnation of the LoBue (mk VIII). Watch Marty Friedman play with Megadeth again, Journey and Steve Lukather play Black Magic Woman. It can be easy to think that Gene Simmons views comic books as nothing more than a way to make some extra money on the side. No matter the angle or lighting, up until now the white binding has been clearly visible at all times. M&G Pkg $4450. Kiss legend Gene Simmons fondly recalls the days when a fledgling Rush would regularly play support to the panstick-sporting rockers. It turned out the bass player wanted to trademark the devil horns sign. This phenomenon can also be spotted at the start of the Return of KISS tour. Roland 555 space/echo (for solo) controlled by manipulating the intensity and . The bass checked . Unfortunately it is exceedingly difficult to try and identify which Spector is which in most photos, even if they are well-lit. Some time in November mk VII shows up. "I saw a bass he had built hanging on the wall and decided right then that I wanted it. I wanted to share this video because of how li. 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