Whatever the new binding was actually made with it was one of the least durable materials in the known universe. Later in the year, in Columbus 76.11.30, the cover is very obviously split into two colors, a very sharp delineation that wasn't there in March and May, which suggests that it's been at least partially replaced. However, there might be a reason that Nick isnt always by his dads side: he wants to try and break out of Genes shadow. According to Gene "the original one was made by Valdez here in Los Angeles, and I still have it around here somewhere". Length: 42 in, Width: 14.5 in, Depth: 1.5 in. The Kramer Axe was fine for playback but for one of very few live TV performances (the first one since 1974?) Search child forums as well At the heart of the axe-shaped Simmons bass is its electronics system. A customized electric bass guitar - the "Gene Simmons Axe Bass" - was especially created for him by South Korean giant Cort. I beat DC in using The Demon they tried to stop me, but I was able to prove that my Demon was far more famous than their Demon character!, By trademarking the name and shape of the Axe, Simmons was able to control who builds the instrument for him, and sure enough hes switched builders many times over the years. The original single-coil pickup seems to be gone and in its stead is what looks almost like the Filtertron pickups that Gretsch made. First the finish is re-done to be an all-black and Steve Carr makes a headstock inlay of Gene's makeup face. The reddish metal flake Grabber first shows up in Fayetteville, NC on 74.11.30 but it doesn't see steady action until 1975. No matter what Gene may say in various interviews, the various instruments he's tried and modified over the years all point to him wanting a simple, no-frills instrument. It appears as if the Fender-style bridge that was previously under the bridge cover is moved back, sans the saddles, and a different bridge used in its stead. This mk I version shows the "standard" SB-1 controls with one volume and one tone knob (both in silver) and a front output jack (missing is the mini-switch which was standard on the SB-1). The Spector takes over as the #1 and during the early part of the Love Gun tour it is brought out only occasionally soon to disappear completely. The shift to the Jackson comes about just before the European leg of the Lick it up tour. Its one thing to date two of the biggest names in music, and its something entirely different to break up their friendship as a result. But out of costume, the Kiss co-frontman is an equally commanding presence. Simmons is announcing a new signature bass guitar in collaboration with Gibson, called the Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass. It has a 30" scale which matches that of the LoBue. In 2017, Gene Simmons hit the headlines for something pretty controversial among the rock world. What is a guitar but a collection of wood, magnets and metals? Gene Simmons is a true rock god, even though he plays "The Demon" in KISS, the band he co-founded in the early 1970s that still rocks out to sold-out crowds. The one in the middle does feature the pointy headstock that was a feature of all of the guitars Carr built for KISS (see Ace's mini-Explorer and Paul's Star guitar for instance). 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. G, from Gene to Gibson, will introduce new collections of right and left-handed electric guitars and basses across . Since this part relies entirely on picture evidence of miniscule details clicking the individual pictures below will bring up higher-res images. Some of the modifications included a special gloss black paint job with white binding along the sides of the body. It's incredible to look at these pics and see the extent of the damage that year-round touring and Gene's costumes (most of it probably from his ever-. The first change (mk II) is to simple clear lucite knobs with 1-10 numbers on them. A long-tongued, fire-breathing, towering bass player who performs in a demon warpaint, massive platform boots, and stylized armor, Simmons is a sight to behold. Everybody knows that Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has a long tongue. Believe it or not, but Gene Simmons is actually a married man, even though the rockstar has been open about his alleged romances over the years. Apparently, Gene thinks there are some similarities between the two as rockstars and teachers both have an audience; its just that one might have to perform to people who dont want to be there. I sell out every night., Just as different paintbrushes might inspire us to paint differently, the Axe is a very different instrument and commands a different vibe when it is played. Various production versions of the instrument often feature pickup configurations and tone controls that offer a wider tonal palate, but Gene doesnt want anything getting in the way, and so his personal versions feature just a volume control. It seems this only made Gene even angrier than ever. The bass player was planning on rising up above the stage on some wires. I do stuff because I get excited about it and then I hope that other people will get excited about it as well. The studs are not glued or otherwise mounted directly on the body of the bass. The result? 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). The Ripper was introduced as the "big brother" to the Grabber in 1973. Gone is the original witch-hat knob, in its stead we find a black speed knob. At least, thats what most lists would have you believe. The Fender Jazz basses Ive used on some songs, but live, theyre too boomy. 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. Together the two pickups complement each other very well indeed, with serious weight and bite that can be easily tamed through the respective volume controls. Simmons was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of . Gene Simmons is a legendary rock icon and the bassist from KISS, and his new Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird Bass reflects his tastes. . Modifications soon follow of course. But, during the Convention Tour of 1995 this bass was part of the museum and was labeled as a prototype Gene Simmons Axe (see pic and video below). The shot from Springfield 79.09.05 shows the new inlay. If I wanted to learn something from Gene Simmons it would be how to run a business and make money. This one-of-a-kind instrument recently (Oct 2005) sold on Ebay for $29, 995. Lets face it; its no secret that some of our favorite celebrities have worked through some pretty mundane jobs before making their way to the top. Alas, by mid-1977 the cherised LoBue's days are numbered. At the end of our show [I] walk offstage and I throw the guitar off the stage, and everyone gasps. John Lennon's Gibson J-160E went for $2.4 million at Julien's Auctions in 2015. [*] Its first appearance is the photo shoot that was set up the day of the Return of KISS dressrehearsal, 79.06.14. )Although not as obvious this is also seen in the pic from Toledo 76.07.30. . It might be no surprise that he doesnt always have nice things to say about fallen stars, including Amy Winehouse and Kurt Cobain. 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. Kiss is currently out on the road for their final tour, dubbed End Of The Road. Every manufacturer will tell you that they try to ensure their guitars feel playable, but greater care needs to be taken with larger-bodied instruments like this Thunderbird, or they can end up feeling bulky and demanding. According to the Spector web site "Gene Simmons of mega-group KISS commissioned several Brooklyn Era SB-1 basses from Stuart in the late 1970's. We get an excellent close-up of it in the instrument line-up pic from Knoxville but live shots seem to be lacking. Perhaps youve found yourself wondering how Gene could have landed himself in such hot water when talking about immigration as he and his family immigrated to the US when he was a child? Nah Gene Simmons is a dick, and his bass lines are sometimes very simple, but he has this cool running bass thing going which is pretty unique and sounds cool. It has been suggested that it was a series/parallell switch which is feasible. Gene Simmons Bass Solo Compilation from the beginning to the end! In fact, it couldnt be further from the truth. As the photos show there is a marked difference in the shape of the lower horn, most easily seen in the shots of the back. 10 young bluesbreakers who are making the Blues fun again, Maybe Id move to Japan and try and be an English teacher! Mastodons Bill Kelliher on the future of the band, his love of Les Pauls and what hed do if he wasnt in the band. It usually means the artists miss out on the profits and can have some pretty huge effects. Had the studs been mounted on the body this would have been completely non-sensical. I love it." There will be a guitar version and left-handed versions. 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. Newer Than: Search this thread only; Search this forum only. The two volume controls allow for a blend of either orboth pickups, with the rhythm unit alone bringing a wonderfully articulate sound that has enough brightness to retain definition andclarity. 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. The thunder starts with a Shure U4D-UHF into a Radial JD-7 Injector. But as far as what its going to mean after Im gone, oh my god, who cares? It turns out Gene Simmons is no exception, but not many people know the rockstar was once actually a teacher. The bass guitar's mahogany body produces crisp tone with plenty of heavy bass for that signature Detroit Rock City sound. In the pic from 76.03.12 it's hard to tell whether the back of the body is just worn or if there is a protective cover, but by the time the band hits European soil for the first time, as shown here from Mannheim 76.05.18, there is a distinct reddish overlay screwed onto the back. Sadly, the truth isnt quite so exciting as Gene apparently discovered he had an impressively long tongue when he was 13 years old and realized it was a hit with the ladies. For some reason the remaining original knobs also get changed at this time, making all three controls black speed knobs. [*] Spiro of tribute band fame has mentioned that Gene told him it was stolen while being away for repairs after Gene "fell off the front of the stage". Thats right; the bass player is often seen with blood pouring from his mouth, but dont worry; no bass players are harmed in the making of the act. In the case of Kramer, Jackson and Cort, as soon as quality started to dip, a new builder would be found. . On the one hand it has an inlay of Gene's makeup on the headstock that looks very similar to the one that Carr did on Spector #1. Sophie reportedly pestered major streaming sites instead. 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. Gene Simmons is one of those who has proven he has what it takes to keep calm and carry on as he tripped over a raised part of the stage during a performance in Montana back in 2016. Great Eastern FX Co. Focus Fuzz review: The best of all possible fuzz worlds in a single box? 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. And don't worry - Kiss isn't gonna pull a Mtley Cre on you and . For the 1981 TV appearances in Mexico and the sattelite feed to the San Remo festival Gene relied on the Kramer Axe. Rock fans everywhere might disagree as Gene Simmons believes its time to give up on the genre. Once the band starts making personell changes at the turn of the decade Gene moves to Spector #2 as his main bass. 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. The bass checked . I drew what the Axe might be. After showing off a few licks, Simmons points out a particular passage he wants to learn, and Kaye obliges. There is something else that Nick Simmons has been working on over the years, and it comes in the form of his graphic novel. 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. The body of the instrument is shaped like the . It wasnt long before people pointed out the sign actually means I love you in sign language. There was little change as the band headed into 1974 and started on what would turn out to be a lifetime of heavy touring. To highlight a detail that entered the story a little earlier when the Fender bridge was installed I've chosen these particular pics. Ever the savvy businessman, Simmons ended up trademarking the term Axe as it refers to a musical instrument, as well as the shape of the bass. From 2006 until 2012, Gene Simmons and his family starred in the reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Larry Harris had set up an endorsement deal which apparently specified that the band use Gibsons exclusively on stage in exchange for free instruments (see. Gene's version is either a '76 or '77 ebony version that was modfied from the get-go. Gene Simmons Punisher 2 Bass. LoBue custom LP Triumph Gibson EB-0. The offstage shot also gives us the first look at the tape coverup of the original bridge holes as discussed below, thus beginning Gene's long use of tape coverups. Oftentimes we find that ownership of an idea is just as important as the idea itself. Pictures showing the back of the LoBue are very few but over the course of 1976 there were a few. Everything starts with me, he explains. It looked as though he needed it as Genes outfit weighs quite a lot thanks to all those theatrical additions. Showing the back of the axe-shaped Simmons bass Solo Compilation from the truth versions! 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