As Simmons explains, because I owned the name and the design, it qualifies as an invention in the library of congress. Looking closely at the pictures the refinished part of the blade is slightly different than the original finish on the edge. Cause & Effects: Are vintage effects pedals always the best examples of their type. And don't worry - Kiss isn't gonna pull a Mtley Cre on you and . There was suppose to be 1,000 . 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. Viewed as a whole it is obvious that the LoBue was far and away Gene's favorite. Of course, being so open about his relationships hasnt always sat well with everyone else. Its another to be such a great performer that you carry on with your show even when you take a tumble. The most high-profile appearance during 1984-1986 is in Animalize Live Uncensored where it gets taken for a spin for Gene's solo spot. 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. 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 pickup becomes a Gibson EB-0 style, something that Gene had experimented with before (the Fender he used during the Wicked Lester days) and it would be the last pickup change for the LoBue. In a rather unprecedented move the bass is left alone with no noticeable modifications. The video clips are from one of the German dates (the blood spitting clip) and Sydney. Nady 950 wireless. 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). Oh no, its merely the number of categories that Kiss is now involved with. Fans of the band get to enjoy an entire performance thats been carefully choreographed to be an experience like none other in the world. 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. Malcolm Young more influential than EVH or Clapton? By the time we're through, there will be a Flying V, and there's even going to be a double-neck guitar and bass. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Photographic evidence doesn't allow for three #1 Spectors, there are only two. Wherever the LoBue eventually ended up it is one of the great lost treasures of KISStory, one that deserves enshrinment. Gene has claimed that he had it painted black before the start of the Alive! Pink AXE Guitar. He decided years ago that she'd already been through enough having survived the horrors of the Holocaust, and he didn't want to break her heart by becoming a drug addict. 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. [*] Much later Gene would remember it a little differently: "So he made me a one of a kind natural wood custom made bass, no name, no nothing." The first G model is a Thunderbird Bass. . It wasnt long before people were outraged by the comments, and Gene was forced to apologize. During one interview, the rockstar was asked if he admired anyone else more than himself. I have yet to figure out what this bridge was. (Plenty of 1980 shots are improperly labeled 1979 online. Princes cause of passing was ultimately ruled as an accidental overdose. John Lennon's Gibson J-160E went for $2.4 million at Julien's Auctions in 2015. Everything starts with me, he explains. 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. 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. Jan 11, 2009. so I read an article years ago where it talked about gene simmons' live rig, but i couldn't find any info anywhere and the magazine is long gone, so I spoke with his tech Spike and he said basically this is it: 1 SVT-2 Pro. Maybe gross, maybe cool, but definitely profitable to Mr. Simmons with a starting price of $12,000 per bass. [*] 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. Sadly, Steve Carr passed away in 2006 which probably means that this part of the Axe story will forever be shrouded in mystery. 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. Apparently, Gene thinks the best thing that people with less money can do is Try being nice to rich people. Thats certainly one way. 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). [*] Its first appearance is the photo shoot that was set up the day of the Return of KISS dressrehearsal, 79.06.14. Gene Simmons is one of the most legendary names in music, thanks to his time with Kiss. Whatever the new binding was actually made with it was one of the least durable materials in the known universe. Here we get to see it with a studded cover of some sort, probably leather. "The first instruments are the Thunderbird basses, which will come in a few different colors. 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. See Gibson for more details. Contact our experts for a recommendation of great alternatives. The rockstar was born in Israel where Gene says his family lived in extreme poverty before they saved enough to emigrate to the States and start a new life. 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. Gene tapped Valdez Guitars to build the first one, then Steve Carr built a few, as did Kramer, Jackson, and Cort. At least, that is if you want to avoid a moment like Gene Simmons had at one of his live shows. and I am certainly no expert on any of those instruments. Both stars were known for their use of illegal substances, and both lost their lives while they were still in their prime. In fact, his passion for comic books even helped to inspire The Demon that we see at Kiss shows as Biography reports Gene shaped his character on Marvels Black Bolt. 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 even went as far as to accuse the legend of lip-syncing her performances in the past. Rock fans everywhere might disagree as Gene Simmons believes its time to give up on the genre. The reddish metal flake Grabber first shows up in Fayetteville, NC on 74.11.30 but it doesn't see steady action until 1975. The GENE SIMMONS Meet & Greet Bass Signing Includes: - Choice of Gene Simmons Bass, signed & personalized by Gene Simmons. A backstage pic from Atlanta 74.07.18 also seem to suggest some shaping of the back. The iconic Kiss bassist promises his new signature instrument is "The most fun you'll be able to have with your pants on". There is a bass resembling the Grabber, based on the headstock, standing offstage in a pic from 76.02.01, in. Watch on. However, Gene Simmons had his own views on it all and they werent very popular. Get the latest news, reviews and features to your inbox. tour. Search titles only; Posted by Member: Separate names with a comma. The earliest known date for this is from Uniondale 79.09.01. "I saw a bass he had built hanging on the wall and decided right then that I wanted it. 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. 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. . Simmons is announcing a new signature bass guitar in collaboration with Gibson, called the Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass. Well, in simple terms its a neck-through construction instrument with a hard maple neck and mahogany axe blade body. It turned out that Gene wasnt happy for a hip-hop group to get a spot in the hall his bands called home since 2014. The musician was behind some of the most legendary tunes of our time and left a huge mark on the world when he passed in 2016. 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. Search titles only; Posted by Member: Separate names with a comma. Custom Charlie LoBue bass built for Gene Simmons of KISS. Kramer Aluminum Gene Simmons Axe Bass KISS 1980 Black & Gray Autographed by Gene Simmons and numbered w/OHSC, Serial No. Apart from those changes it appears identical to the Jackson right down to the black tuning pegs. The problems with the bridge above promted another change. Gene Simmons now thinks people pirating songs was enough to see the end of rock and roll as he confessed he thinks no one values the music enough to pay for it.. 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. 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. Below are a few early shots of Gene using the LoBue in 1972-73 starting with the loft rehearsals as a three piece, a shot from one of the shows at the Daisy, and the soundcheck for the Filmore shows. Some have wondered why the Kiss star hasnt used his time in the limelight to help other people on their rise to the top. Its one thing to be in a band. 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. Still, it was captured on film, meaning Gene wont forget the moment anytime soon. 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. Shannon Tweed - Now 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. All the latest gene simmons celebrity news, videos, and more. I do stuff because I get excited about it and then I hope that other people will get excited about it as well. I've scammed people all this time The world of Jean-Jacques Burnel. Which is why, in addition to some of the cosmetic alterations the Axe has gone through over the years, we often see them with different pickups and hardware as well, as Simmons explained, A pickup is subject to the wood and the body shape. 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? 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. 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. Length: 42 in, Width: 14.5 in, Depth: 1.5 in. I wanted to share this video because of how li. 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. The following day, Fox News announced that Gene had been permanently banned from the studios, with some reports claiming there is a photo of Gene behind the security desk to ensure he never sneaks in. Spector #1 LoBue custom Thunderbird Dan Armstrong. Whatever the case, it wasnt long before Gene Simmons had something to say about it all. Under the hood, in the 70s and 80s the Axe featured a boost, but the current models feature only EMG pickups and a preamp. There seemed to be a strange moment in time when celebrities couldnt wait but to show their tongue on the red carpet. Once you do, the ceramic magnets in the Rhythm and Lead T-Bird humbuckers pack a powerful and immediate response, with no shortage of punch and depth, making for a bass that sounds, much like the American groups landmark 1975 release, truly alive. See the Pedulla section. 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. GS Backstage M&G Vampire Bass Pkg = $7495. I think that when it comes to Bass ( Which I play Bass and Guitar among other instruments! ) The technical info on the EB-0 is taken from the January 2007 issue of Vintage Guitar (also avilable online). Just as musicians arrange 12 notes to create songs, guitar designs often take the form of artistic expression when shaped in new and interesting ways. But did he ever imagine such a strange instrument would become as successful as it has? Gene Simmons has often been questioned about who he has been with and how many people have made their way to the list over the years. [*] The reddish Grabber was re-finished since Gibson never offered the Grabber in any kind of metal flake finish. 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. Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. Okay, its hard to deny that one of Gene Simmons most prominent features is his tongue. It's akin to a Thunderbird bridge but appears to be slightly larger. Gene Simmons and his son, Nick, have been spotted at a handful of events together over the years. The Gibson Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass is out now, priced 2,499 / $2,799. 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. BA1 1UA. One of the Viewmaster pics show the thickness of the body to be almost double that of a regular bass. The problem? That one night he dropped it and the neck broke in half." Most of his notable work comes from his time in Genes reality show Gene Simmons Family Jewels.. Things went from bad to worse when two women accused Gene of behaving inappropriately, something he denies. Stuart shaved down the normally bulbous horns of the SB-1 into points.". LoBue custom Gibson Grabber Gibson Ripper. He's interviewed everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy to Slash and Jimmy Page, and once even traded solos with a member of Slayer on a track released internationally. Rather than call this a new "version" I'll label the incredible disappearing binding a failed experiment and leave it at that. Realtor.com. 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. Find out more about how we test. As seen in the pictures below, all taken from the first month of the Love Gun tour, there is an "irregularity" in the finish below the volume knob that can't be explained by a reflection or a shadow. Or why not treat yourself? 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. 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 . There are masterclasses taught by Simmons himself that are only available to Axe buyers. So the three mentioned is probably two #1's and one #2 (more of which later). 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 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). 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-. What I will refer to as Spector #1 (although in reality it is two basses) makes it debut for the Love Gun tour on the very first night in Halifax. However, some. It even has the original pickup right up to the end of 1980. All that twerking and tongue flashing was enough to change peoples minds about the star. 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). Find out more about the Axe Bass at www.genesimmonsaxe.com. Alas, by mid-1977 the cherised LoBue's days are numbered. 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