. Bath Then came the aftermath. Not only did Terry tell the rockstar that she thought it was a really obnoxious thing to say, but Gene initially refused to let the interview hit the air. 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). There was a reason that so many people tried to live the life of groupies. He's a better bass player than he is a guitar player. The clear knobs make the transition into the new year appearing in Chicago on 78.01.15. Still, it was captured on film, meaning Gene wont forget the moment anytime soon. 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. According to Gene he met Stuart Spector, then just an upstart luthier working out of a small Brooklyn shop, during the Destroyer sessions. The problem? Cause & Effects: Are vintage effects pedals always the best examples of their type. 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. Sophie reportedly pestered major streaming sites instead. The headstock featured Gene's autograph and the pointy shape of the head was mirrored by a bizarre pointed part below the bridge. 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 pics below are from a show in January, either on the 21st or 22nd. 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. Since this part relies entirely on picture evidence of miniscule details clicking the individual pictures below will bring up higher-res images. Spector #1 Spector #2 Valdez Axe Carr Axe. Apparently, Gene has always been obsessed with comic books and knows some of the biggest names who have worked on the art over the years, but it was getting his hands on certain Golden Age books and turning them around for $10,000 each that really saw the money start rolling in from a young age. Talking with legendary rock 'n' roll musician, Gene Simmons, one thing becomes clear pretty quickhe likes a good thrill. The earliest known date for this is from Uniondale 79.09.01. Search titles only; Posted by Member: Separate names with a comma. 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. 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 also speaks volumes of Gene's "working-bass" concept: as long as it works and looks good enough, it will do. According to Gene, hes through with listening to music thats just talking and wants to go back to a time when music focuses on lyrics and melody. We guess Kiss were never known for their rap tunes. The Vega wireless system is mentioned in KISS Alive Forever on p. 83. 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. She wanted to make sure her music was on the hottest playlists at the time and wouldnt rest until she got the results. All in all, this first offering from G2 delivers on virtually every front, from the dazzling black diamond aesthetic through to playability and versatility. 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. Right after the guitar was purchased, it was immediately packed in its hard case along with all of the items the guitar came with, which included: The Certificate of Authenticity, the original Gene Simmons hard . 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. Some have wondered why the Kiss star hasnt used his time in the limelight to help other people on their rise to the top. These pics, which found their way into the later versions of the tour book, show the bass with a black blade and black knobs. One person in particular had plenty to say as Ice Cube took to social media, which started a pretty heated feud between the two. See Gibson for more details. As Simmons explains, "because I owned the name and the design, it qualifies as an invention in the library of congress. It seems that Gene thinks its time for one genre in particular to disappear: rap. It was one of three designed in this configuration for Gene." Designed to meet the musical needs of modern bassists, it features the classic Reverse Thunderbird body and headstock shape. 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. Actually, whether it was actually custom made for Gene is an issue on which Gene himself seems less than clear (something that is a recurring theme when Gene talks about his gear and makes the history of his basses a little difficult to untangle). Along with the refinish the knobs were changed to match the new color. Kiss's always-colorful bassist reflects on how he and Paul Stanley wrestled with the band's identity - and Vinnie Vincent's unorthodox, fleet-fingered ideas - on Creatures of the Night, 40 years on. This Gene Simmons Punisher Bass is a rare, limited edition bass that swept through the Spencer's stores in malls throughout the US. Why? Name: Frank Benpensata From: Staten Island, NY USA First Backstage Bass Experience: Wizard World Comic Convention What I remember most: Getting a private meet and greet with Gene's at his hotel in New York City.This was the night before the NYC Vault Experience in 2018. The Kramer Axe was fine for playback but for one of very few live TV performances (the first one since 1974?) The reddish metal flake Grabber first shows up in Fayetteville, NC on 74.11.30 but it doesn't see steady action until 1975. Together, the happy couple share two kids; Nichols Adam Tweed-Simmons and Sophie Alexandra Tweed-Simmons. Kiss legend Gene Simmons fondly recalls the days when a fledgling Rush would regularly play support to the panstick-sporting rockers. Though he is known for his woodsman-inspired Axe guitar, he told me it . [**]. When KISS did their first "European" tour in 4 years they stopped by a TV studio in Hilversum, Holland on May 29 to record singback versions of Unholy and God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You II for the show Countdown. Newer Than: Search this thread only; Search this forum only. Note the original single coil pickup and the snug fit of the pickguard around the pickup in the picture on the right. Everybody knows that Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has a long tongue. For the better part of the Spirit Tour '76 the LoBue retains the mk VI look. 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. 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. John Lennon's Gibson J-160E went for $2.4 million at Julien's Auctions in 2015. G, from Gene to Gibson, will introduce new collections of right and left-handed electric guitars and basses across . The basic design of the bass has changed a little through the years and it's been made by several luthiers and companies. . Strings - Lutes - Guitars. Sometimes the paintbrush can be just as beautiful as the art it inspires and creates. Last years news that he was launching his own G2 brand pronounced G squared through the American giants nevertheless came as a surprise, the new collaboration pledging to release a whole range of guitars and basses built with the Demons personal seal of approval. 1996 Guitars that Rule the World, Metal Edge presents KISS Alive. Simmons is announcing a new signature bass guitar in collaboration with Gibson, called the Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass. The video clips are from one of the German dates (the blood spitting clip) and Sydney. If I wanted to learn something from Gene Simmons it would be how to run a business and make money. Although he initially apologized for the incident, Gene also accused it of being highly exaggerated and misleading. It seems that we will never know the truth about what happened behind closed doors at the news network. 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. Everything starts with me, he explains. Okay, its not always simple to figure out how much someone is worth, especially when their name is tied to a well-known company or, in this case, a band. . Gene continued to add how he thinks Prince slowly took his life over many years by using drink and illegal substances, even though neither were mentioned in the official report. Or maybe the rather strange decision to use the Axe for a song like Reason to live during the Crazy Nights tour drove home the point that the Axe was a somewhat odd fit for the image at the time. Several fans have spoken about how both were taken from us too soon and the tragedies that have been linked to their passing. 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. Then, all he needs to do is let it start trickling from his mouth to up the performance. The original incarnation of the LoBue (mk I) had an unfinished wood body, a set neck, a violin-style bridge, a single-coil pickup, a black pickguard, and, despite Gene's quote above, three knobs. The worlds leading authority and resource for all things guitar. Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. 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 passing of Prince was a tragic day for millions of fans across the world. In 2013, the rockstar spoke about Amy and Kurts passing in a radio interview, where he said that just because they have passed, it doesnt mean theyre an icon. Of course, it didnt sit well. The idea that it was a built-in fuzz is much less likely. 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. The Gibson Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass is out now, priced 2,499 / $2,799. Gene and his bass finally did part ways, though by all accounts he was reluctant to give it up. The bass player was planning on rising up above the stage on some wires. The change to mkIV happens sometime early July: the original pickup is on display during the Largo show 79.07.08 but by the shows in New York there is a new pickup in place. It looked cool on a piece of paper so I thought it would look cool as a bass., The Axe has become such an integral part to not only KISS, and Genes Demon character, but Gene Simmons himself. What we can say for sure is that it is black with a new pickguard by 75.11.07 and then emerges backstage in Toledo on 75.11.12 sporting a P-bass pickup. If Gene tried to use the Carr Axe live it probably turned out to be too heavy for use. Below are pictures detailing the rather slight differences between them. Below are a couple of pics from rehearsals and the early part of the tour. Find out more about how we test. There was once a time that Gene Simmons appeared to be on Fox News at every waking moment. Tweed and Simmons were together for 28 years before they decided to tie the knot in 2011. This phenomenon can also be spotted at the start of the Return of KISS tour. 2023 Guitar.com is part of NME Networks. Heres how it works. [*] The shape of the bass was indeed completely original in that it was custom shaped but it wasn't an original design. Ron Wood is very under-appreciated. All that twerking and tongue flashing was enough to change peoples minds about the star. 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. It has a 24 frets and the deep cut away which allows me to easily reach the 23rd and 24th frets - a real bonus. 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