gene simmons basses through the yearsgene simmons basses through the years

My bass is the only musical instrument that is an invention., Jokes abound about the level of KISS merchandise available, but the reality is that Simmons was ahead of his time in terms of understanding how to monetise and control his image and legacy, and trademark ownership has played a big part of that. Gene has claimed that he had it painted black before the start of the Alive! His wife, Canadian actress and 1982 Playboy Playmate of the Year Shannon Tweed, just shelled out $5.8 million for a Malibu . 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. There was a reason that so many people tried to live the life of groupies. BA1 1UA. So, after a few short months in "the rotation" it is modified by removing the tone pot and moving the output jack up in its place. Switching to just the bridge pickup, theres a huge shift in the midrange and a noticeable drop in the low-end thats perfect for chords or riffs that need less sonic boom and more snarl, such as Simmons opening lines to Love Gun and Shout It Out Loud, played higher up the neck on the first string. However, there might be a reason that Nick isnt always by his dads side: he wants to try and break out of Genes shadow. Gene Simmons, bassist and co-vocalist of rock band Kiss, looks back on the band's career, and how he has been in charge of the group's highly lucrative business affairs. Amazingly, that could have been the case for Gene Simmons as The Washington Post claims that he was in a relationship with Cher in the 1980s. To top it off, Gene says that he has a Polaroid photo of each of his partners from over the years and a hotel key firm the night they spent together. There is a photo as early as 77.08.19 in San Diego, CA that shows the white pickguard Thunderbird on stage during the pre-show setup. Ice Cubes group, N.W.A., was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If I wanted to learn something from Gene Simmons it would be how to run a business and make money. More highs can then be cut using the master tone knob, allowing for softer, jazzier tones when dialled in clean a nice option tohave, even if Simmons himself tends not to go there. Get the latest news, reviews and features to your inbox. [*] 1996 Guitars that Rule the World, Metal Edge presents KISS Alive! The bassist will bring back the Gene Simmons' Axe MasterClass for fans . Gi. 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 Ripper was introduced as the "big brother" to the Grabber in 1973. Gene Simmons isn't telling California to kiss off yet. The basic design of the bass has changed a little through the years and it's been made by several luthiers and companies. From lunch boxes to credit cards and everything in between, it seems theres no shortage of Kiss-themed things on the market as even caskets are on the menu, meaning the brand is estimated to be worth $1 billion. Miley Cyrus is one of the many on the list as the musician wanted to break away from her Disney Channel persona in the most memorable way possible. Why? Radio stations Power 97 and Timple M both announced they were pulling all Kiss songs from their lineup as neither agreed with Genes controversial comments. My theory is that all of these (with the exception of the already heavily modified EB-0) were endorsement instruments that were either pure backups or ones that Gene tried to make into his kind of bass. Spector #1 is certainly still in the picture but when it comes to relative use their fortunes are reversed with #1 "coming off the bench" here and there and #2 getting more stage time. We now know that Gene Simmons doesnt always have the most popular opinions on people who use illegal substances. Gene's version is either a '76 or '77 ebony version that was modfied from the get-go. However, the couple was never in a rush to make it down the aisle. LoBue custom Fender P-bass. Thats not the only time that Gene has opened up about his relationships away from the cameras, as the rockstar later confessed that hed actually been with up to 5,000 different women. Gene apparently told Terry that she would have to be willing to get intimate with him if she wanted to be a part of his life. 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. From there it goes out to an Empress Compressor and one of two Tech 21 VT-Bass 1969 amps. It is generally assumed that the re-finish and the headstock inlay occured at the same time even though the picture evidence can't entirely support that conclusion. Then, all he needs to do is let it start trickling from his mouth to up the performance. 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. Now, depending on the pic and the angle the new pickup doesn't look quite like itself: at times it looks grayish and with barely discernible pole pieces, and other times it looks black with large and obvious pole pieces. In the words of Mr. Simmons himself: "Stu Spector made me another bass at the same time, very similar, but the horn on the top was slightly warped and longer than the bottom one" (Guitars that Rule the World, Metal Edge presents KISS Alive 1996). Photographic evidence doesn't allow for three #1 Spectors, there are only two. It is only shown in a series of backstage pics from February or March 1976, a single backstage pic from Stockholm, Sweden on 76.05.28, and a later backstage instrument lineup from Daytom, OH 76.08.08. Since neither of the Gibson basses worked out, even though Gene certainly tried to honor the endorsement for the better part of 1975, I think it's safe to assume that long-scale basses (only the EB-0 and the Triumph were short scale) weren't to Gene's liking at the time. 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). Let's hope it turns up in somebody's basement. He is the God Of Thunder, after all. Stage Played Experience = $14,995. Simmons estimates hes sold about 10,000 instruments over the past 10 years. 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. In fact, the rockstar went as far as it saw Mileys tongue was okay, but quickly put his foot in it with a few derogatory comments. Simmons is announcing a new signature bass guitar in collaboration with Gibson, called the Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass. Gene Simmons has occupied the public consciousness since 1973, when Kiss first burst into the scene. Still, it was captured on film, meaning Gene wont forget the moment anytime soon. Maybe gross, maybe cool, but definitely profitable to Mr. Simmons with a starting price of $12,000 per bass. LoBue custom. Malcolm Young more influential than EVH or Clapton? 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. There are people that want to leave a legacy and are concerned with what is said about them after theyre gone. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. The luthier and Gene's fellow NYC resident (whom Gene describes as a consummate craftsman, something he feels is missing in today's world), would build Gene his first custom bass. Although it was supposed to be a simple shopping spree, its said the couple ended up falling head over heels in love with one another, destroying Chers relationship with Gene and her friendship with Diana. Add in a healthy dose of compression or overdrive, as well as some heavily repeating delays, andits hard not to picture a possessed Simmons spitting out blood infront of you, screaming Oh yeah! before attacking that open low note in God Of Thunder. Contact our experts for a recommendation of great alternatives. Gene tapped Valdez Guitars to build the first one, then Steve Carr built a few, as did Kramer, Jackson, and Cort. You've written some truly timeless basslines over the years so what exactly is the Gene Simmons guide to finding the perfect part? Believe it or not, but Gene is quite the entrepreneur when hes not working with the band. While Sophie does work as a musician, she decided that she wanted to make it on her own and that she wasnt ready to use her dads name to make a career for herself. . Looking closely at the pictures the refinished part of the blade is slightly different than the original finish on the edge. Of course, being so open about his relationships hasnt always sat well with everyone else. Chances are Gene just took the opportunity afforded him by the Gibson sponsorship the band enjoyed at the time (see the back of any KISS album from the time) but found that the basses weren't to his taste. The Return of KISS!! Thanks to abusername for pointing that out. Simmons was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014 as a member of . 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. Introduced in 1973, the Grabber was Gibson's first bolt-on neck bass and featured a sliding pickup (you "grabbed" it to change the pickup position, hence the name). The final change in a very short time frame was the addition of a Gibson chrome bridge cover (mk VI). Open menu Close menu . The pickup is still the original one as we can see from the lovely closeups. It wasnt long before people were outraged by the comments, and Gene was forced to apologize. More importantly, however, this feels like a real Thunderbird and being handmade in the USA, it very much is one, with an incredibly resonant mahogany body that rings loud acoustically beforeyouve even plugged it in. LoBue custom LP Triumph Gibson EB-0. The reddish metal flake Grabber appears at the Midnight Special taping on 75.04.01 where we get a fairly close look at the almost matte finish (and a taste of the obvious sonic qualities it possessed). The line-up shot from Knoxville with the slim lower horn has led me to believe that this is a re-finish rather than the re-appearance of the all-black from the Alive II tour. There was suppose to be 1,000 . The body of the instrument is shaped like the . After showing off a few licks, Simmons points out a particular passage he wants to learn, and Kaye obliges. 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. It has been suggested that it was a series/parallell switch which is feasible. 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 . Thankfully, everyone walked away from the incident without any injuries. As well as the pearloid reverse split diamond inlays, its also nice to see the Gibson logo on the front of the headstock, with the G2 logo on the back side near the nut a reassuring consideration given this instruments price. Since this all-black Spector shows up with both sets of replacement knobs it was re-finished early on. Instead, he decided to keep himself as healthy as possible as Gene told CNN that hes never even tried an adult beverage or taken any illegal substances. Sadly, Steve Carr passed away in 2006 which probably means that this part of the Axe story will forever be shrouded in mystery. As with everything he does, Simmons has big plans . He is the God Of Thunder, after all. Apparently, he didnt like Terrys supposed holier-than-thou attitude. 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? In Atlanta 76.08.29 it's still mk VI but for the start of the Winter Tour in Savannah 76.11.24 the new bridge is in place. Apparently, he wasnt impressed with someone so prominent sharing such questionable opinions. I didnt know anything else about it the wood, the relationship of the bridge to the neck, I didnt think about any of that. Gene Simmons went through the folder compiled for him, containing approximately 100 pages. The bass checked . Pictures showing the back of the LoBue are very few but over the course of 1976 there were a few. Exact year is unknown but Gibson transitioned to this body type in 1961. It's still there in St- Louis 76.12.04 but by 76.12.11 in Pembroke Pines it's been reduced to, well, almost nothing. This obviously reflected the economic state of the band at the time, Paul and Ace also had very clear no. Some time in November mk VII shows up. 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. It looked as though he needed it as Genes outfit weighs quite a lot thanks to all those theatrical additions. . What I will call mkII actually makes it's documented debut in Detroit 74.12.20. The Spector web site is clear on the matter: "The bass in the photo above [on the Spector web site, not featured here] is still in Gene's possession as far as we know. I still have 50 or so that are from the 70s but theyre available for sale. To those who might call Simmons a sellout, Simmons has a message, Damn right, bitch. Im spectacular, before adding, Oh Im stunning. Yes, it seems that Gene has struggled to find room in his heart for anyone other than himself as the star often loves to talk about his love for himself, even if its left some people wondering if he knows how to be down to Earth. In the end the long-scale neck and the rather elaborate Q-system electronics probably proved unnecessary for Gene's no-frills style. Long believed to be a prototype for a possible Gibson Gene Simmons signature guitar, this bass is actually a heavily modified 60's Gibson EB-0. What one can argue is that it seems highly unlikely that a rear output jack would be placed on the upper part of the body, far away from the rest of the electronics.). [*] The Axe presented here has quite a different design than the one that would end up being used but according to the photos it actually made it on tour with the band, seen here in Knoxville on 79.09.12 next to Spector #2. . Founding KISS bassist Gene Simmons has partnered with Gibson for a new line of electric guitars and basses dubbed G. The Gibson Thunderbird was a backup used on occasion when the trusty Spector #1 had to take a rest. I've scammed people all this time The world of Jean-Jacques Burnel. Its difficult for me to walk past a mirror without stopping to say, yo, whats up?. She wanted to make sure her music was on the hottest playlists at the time and wouldnt rest until she got the results. The body and hardware can be shaped in any number of ways. Considering the photographic evidence the natural finish Grabber doesn't seem to have gotten much action. The first change (mk II) is to simple clear lucite knobs with 1-10 numbers on them. 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. 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. Gene Simmons of KISS will be hosting a MasterClass event in Las Vegas next month, where he will teach bass and songwriting. In order to cover the screw holes from the original (and replacement) stringmount below the then-current bridge cover, Gene's tech simply added a piece of what appear to be electrical tape. This feels like a real Thunderbird and being handmade in the USA, it very much is one, with an incredibly resonant mahogany body. This custom prototype Axe bass was built by Steve Carr who originally came to work for the band when his one-time apprentice became Ace's guitar tech in 1978. This is not a traditional signature model arrangement. 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