Everything starts with me, he explains. It has also been suggested that this one is actually from 1981 but that would make it later than the production model Kramer Axe which would cast some doubt on Carr's statement above. Sadly, Gene wasnt impressed with the shows choice as he referred to Madonna as a karaoke singer during an interview with TMZ. Pink AXE Guitar. It seems that not using Gene Simmons name meant she was on her own, and Sophie quickly had to find another way to make her dreams come true. The final change in a very short time frame was the addition of a Gibson chrome bridge cover (mk VI). 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. [**]. An erstwhile acquaintance of LoBue's who handled the bass in its mkVI incarnation in New Jersey 76.07.10 has suggested that almost all the modifications were done by Charlie or the Guitar Lab rather than Gene's tech. We're sorry-this item is unavailable. Talking about rap and hip-hop was enough to get plenty of people talking about Gene Simmons and his ever-changing music views. This mkV version stays unmolested for the remainder of 1979, the last photographic evidence being from 79.12.06. 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. It also speaks volumes of Gene's "working-bass" concept: as long as it works and looks good enough, it will do. 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. The iconic Kiss bassist promises his new signature instrument is "The most fun you'll be able to have with your pants on". See the evolution of Gene's Bass technique!! Search child forums as well On first glance, this debut in the seriesnot in the form of a Grabber or Ripper, but a Thunderbird, interestingly is certainly impressive. There are a few pics that don't quite fit in. Its one thing to be in a band. [****] Personal communication with Jack Williamson who asked Free about the matter. But in the three pictures below I'm having a. 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. Metal, wood. Let's talk about your Axe basses. 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. Some have wondered why the Kiss star hasnt used his time in the limelight to help other people on their rise to the top. There are masterclasses taught by Simmons himself that are only available to Axe buyers. Spector #1 LoBue custom Thunderbird Dan Armstrong. Celebrating 50 years in rock (1966-2016) Gene Simmons, multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, co-founder and front man of KISS, America's number one gold record award-winning group of all time in all categories (RIAA), and one of the most recognized performers in the world, recently announced the . Im clear about that. 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. Watch on. At least, that is if you want to avoid a moment like Gene Simmons had at one of his live shows. However, there might be a reason that Nick isnt always by his dads side: he wants to try and break out of Genes shadow. The pickup cover has been removed and the original Thunderbird humbucker it covered has been replaced with a larger humbucker (probably a DiMarzio since Gene were fond of those and happened to know Larry DiMarzio from school). There is no evidence of the Thunderbird actually being used on stage during the Love Gun tour but for the Alive II tour it shows up in a limited number of pictures. 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. It's akin to a Thunderbird bridge but appears to be slightly larger. 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. It looked as though he needed it as Genes outfit weighs quite a lot thanks to all those theatrical additions. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. 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. At the end of our show [I] walk offstage and I throw the guitar off the stage, and everyone gasps. 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. Modifications soon follow of course. (Also seen in Lund, Sweden. Although he has a huge net worth and plenty of income from his Kiss brand, Gene Simmons isnt in the top richest people in the world. Stuart shaved down the normally bulbous horns of the SB-1 into points." The two Gs have teamed to launch G - a whole range of electric guitar and bass . The SB-1 had a mini switch, something that none of Gene's Spectors have and it would be easy to assume that his instruments were simply built without one. 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). 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. However, it was his time as an assistant at Vogue and Glamour magazines that could have led to a very different career. Gene tapped Valdez Guitars to build the first one, then Steve Carr built a few, as did Kramer, Jackson, and Cort. Though the marriage only lasted for a few years, Gene Simmons her only son was born in . The rockstar replied Ice Cube should get in touch when Jimi Hendrix gets into the hip hop hall of fame.. GS Backstage M&G Vampire Bass Pkg = $7495. They cover the classic Kiss tones, from the walking lines of Strutter through to heavier hits likeCreatures Of The Night and beyond. However, it wasnt long before people learned that he was talking about the hand gesture he was pulling at the time. As with everything he does, Simmons has big plans . 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. Tuning stability and intonation also feel impeccable: This is definitely aset and forget kind of bass that allows the player to focus on their performance, undistracted and with confidence. His many accomplishments include his work as an outstanding actor and television actor, guitarist, singer, singer-songwriter, film producer, composer, voice actor, blogger, songwriter, and record producer, to name a few. Gene did have some thoughts for those less fortunate as he continued to tell the world that rich people are the ones keeping things afloat. The neck has pearl diamond inlays just like Gene's, and the detail in the paint and set up is just like the Demons. "The first project with KISS for me, was when Gene said he wanted a guitar shaped like an executioner's axe. This version of the bass was Gene's #1 bass more or less from 1973 until the summer of 1975 when he started altering it. Simmons unveiled the Thunderbird during KISS' elaborate New Year's Eve livestream concert in Dubai. )Although not as obvious this is also seen in the pic from Toledo 76.07.30. 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. 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. Some time in November mk VII shows up. The inception of the Axe Bass came from the adage of referring to a guitar as an axe. 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. It seems its something Genes kept up ever since. Thanks to abusername for pointing that out. "Kiss was born on 23rd Street. The result? 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. Pastorious,Wooten,Sheehan,Hamm,Graham,Johnson,Miller,and many other players through the years that had something I liked to form my own style of playing. Had the studs been mounted on the body this would have been completely non-sensical. The first G model is a Thunderbird Bass. 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. It turns out the people at Fox News were less than impressed with Genes alleged behavior as the security guards reportedly had to intervene and escort the star from the building. The clip is an outtake from the 2012 documentary Sample This. The jury is out on that one. At first, people thought that Gene was trying to trademark the image itself. It even has the original pickup right up to the end of 1980. Personal messages from members of The Gene Simmons Bass Collectors Club. What are you waiting for. 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. Sadly, in 2014, Gene upset quite a few people during an interview with HuffPost Live. One of the many things that fans often cant wait to see is Gene Simmons performing his famous blood-spitting routine. Photographic evidence doesn't allow for three #1 Spectors, there are only two. The bass touts a mahogany body with a bolt on C shaped maple neck and rosewood fretboard with a 15 radius. The basic design of the bass has changed a little through the years and it's been made by several luthiers and companies. According to Simmons' tech at (13:16), "This is the main bass for the show. There was once a time that Gene Simmons appeared to be on Fox News at every waking moment. While his larger-than-life, demonic imagery . The courts fired back that hand gestures themselves cant be trademarked, meaning Genes case was thrown out, and he was forced to let others pull the pose. 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. Founding KISS bassist Gene Simmons has partnered with Gibson for a new line of electric guitars and basses dubbed G. The bass icon on bass rigs, riches and 50 years of music. Thats right; Parade reports that Gene used to teach sixth grade. 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. The Gibson Thunderbird was a backup used on occasion when the trusty Spector #1 had to take a rest. 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. Gene has claimed that he had it painted black before the start of the Alive! For the better part of the Spirit Tour '76 the LoBue retains the mk VI look. 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. Note the original single coil pickup and the snug fit of the pickguard around the pickup in the picture on the right. This phenomenon can also be spotted at the start of the Return of KISS tour. Its said that he would judge peoples intelligence depending on the noise it made. Diana Ross. Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird: Price Comparison, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. The LoBue worked tirelessly night in and night out and didn't go through any changes except the wear and tear of heavy use. But out of costume, the Kiss co-frontman is an equally commanding presence. There seemed to be a strange moment in time when celebrities couldnt wait but to show their tongue on the red carpet. We'll let him know. Along with the refinish the knobs were changed to match the new color. The first change (mk II) is to simple clear lucite knobs with 1-10 numbers on them. Genes got some good . Gene Simmons inspects the folder with the documents about his mother's persecution. However, the couple was never in a rush to make it down the aisle. Unfortunately it is exceedingly difficult to try and identify which Spector is which in most photos, even if they are well-lit. Gene and his bass finally did part ways, though by all accounts he was reluctant to give it up. Of course, being so open about his relationships hasnt always sat well with everyone else. All in all, this first offering from G2 delivers on virtually every front, from the dazzling black diamond aesthetic through to playability and versatility. It looked as though he was all set to reach the big time as it wasnt long before his work gained plenty of fans worldwide. 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. Most of his notable work comes from his time in Genes reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels.. Conclusion. It's not shown in the tour book photos shot at SIR studios but instead makes its "proper" debut in the video for. 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). Sometimes the paintbrush can be just as beautiful as the art it inspires and creates. Kramer Aluminum Gene Simmons Axe Bass KISS 1980 Black & Gray Autographed by Gene Simmons and numbered w/OHSC, Serial No. My bass is the only musical instrument that is an 'invention'.". The photo shoot at Stuart Air Force base during the rehearsals on 77.11.09 and shots from opening night in Oklahoma City on 77.11.15 show the original silver knobs but by the time the band hits St. Louis on 77.12.02 the new knobs are in place. But did he ever imagine such a strange instrument would become as successful as it has? . 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). Because of this I will "narrate" this story as if there's a single Spector until much later when they are more easily identifiable. 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. 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. . Gene Simmons went through the folder compiled for him, containing approximately 100 pages. Overview. Since this part relies entirely on picture evidence of miniscule details clicking the individual pictures below will bring up higher-res images. No matter the angle or lighting, up until now the white binding has been clearly visible at all times. 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. Being a well-known name in the world of music means that Gene Simmons has plenty of opinions when it comes to other musicians and genres. The Kiss aesthetic wont appeal tonon-fans. For Gene, its simple: he thinks that future rockstars should give up on their dreams as the barriers in the way to the top have become insurmountable. Thankfully, many talented bands have continued to prove Gene wrong in recent years. All in all, this first offering from G2 delivers on virtually every front, from the dazzling black diamond aesthetic through to playability and versatility. His. It wasnt long before people were outraged by the comments, and Gene was forced to apologize. Now, Inc. estimates that Gene Simmons is worth a whopping $300 million. I think it's fair to say that Gene's techs have made quite imaginative use of simple black tape throughout the years. 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. As a session guitarist, he's played alongside members of Judas Priest and Uriah Heep in London ensemble Metalworks, as well as handling lead guitars for legends like Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, The Faces) and Stu Hamm (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, G3). 1 810 cab. Rock fans everywhere might disagree as Gene Simmons believes its time to give up on the genre. It turned out that some people thought the reason Incarnate was doing so well was all because Nick allegedly stole ideas from other major mangas. Gene Simmons VaultCast Episode 1. I love it." It also arrives with a low enough action for more technically ambitious styles of playing, as well as basic root-noted rock, making bends, stretches and hammer-ons more comfortable than expected. First seen in Detroit on 78.01.20, these knobs will thankfully stay on for quite some time. Few people during an interview with HuffPost live theatrical additions, there are taught. Folder with the refinish the knobs were changed to match the New color knobs were to. By the comments, and everyone gasps so open about his mother & # x27 ; s about... Item is unavailable the couple was never in a very different career live shows quite some time fit the... It looked as though he needed it as Genes outfit weighs quite a lot to. 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