Gibson Gene Simmons G2 Thunderbird: Price Comparison, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. . Thats right; Parade reports that Gene used to teach sixth grade. It is also, when visible, curiously unaffected by lighting conditions. I think it's fair to say that Gene's techs have made quite imaginative use of simple black tape throughout the years. There's a high-gloss, mirror-like finish on the body and headstock, added rivules on the body near the pickup, and, true to form, a hole where there should be (or had been) a tone knob. The first two are just simple changing of the knobs. Open menu Close menu . Realtor.com. The instrument is clearly a Triumph rather than the earlier Les Paul bass (the control scratchplate is a dead giveaway) but Gibson only offered it in natural and white finishes which leads me to believe that the instrument in Gene's hands was refinished. Gene Simmons is one of the most legendary names in music, thanks to his time with Kiss. 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.. Of course, it could also be so simple that the band and management felt that the new, more serious concept album KISS weren't properly represented by an instrument that looked like an Axe. There was little change as the band headed into 1974 and started on what would turn out to be a lifetime of heavy touring. Although I've found nothing to support this the general assumption among those who know far more about early Spectors than I seem to be that the pickup in the mk I was a Model 1. Shannon Tweed - Now Apparently, the staff were all in a meeting when Gene burst into the room - unannounced. Then, all he needs to do is let it start trickling from his mouth to up the performance. "The first instruments are the Thunderbird basses, which will come in a few different colors. Thankfully, everyone walked away from the incident without any injuries. This guitar was purchased brand NEW in the year 2000! The first part of the Dynasty tour shows the Spector #1 mk III hanging in there. 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. 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). 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. [] I had two of them on the road with me, but I liked the sound of the off-red one." [*] 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." "I just had a guy named Stuart Spector build me one with a longer neck. Although the world learned that things werent always smooth on their ride to the altar, the pair have been married ever since. Exact year is unknown but Gibson transitioned to this body type in 1961. Considering that the mkI version had a single coil pickup (possibly a stacked humbucker) the third knob is somewhat of a mystery. Diana Ross. In 1987 Gene turns up with what looks like a slightly altered version of the Jackson. This is the first of many ways in which the G partnership will be paying tribute to Gene, his iconic status, and continue to inspire new generations of Gibson and Gene Simmons fans to play and create music.". Gear 2021: Ending a big week for Gibson that began with the acquisition of Mesa/Boogie, the company has now announced a new partnership with Kiss icon Gene Simmons. 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. A backstage pic from Atlanta 74.07.18 also seem to suggest some shaping of the back. [***]. The bass guitar's mahogany body produces crisp tone with plenty of heavy bass for that signature Detroit Rock City sound. You've written some truly timeless basslines over the years so what exactly is the Gene Simmons guide to finding the perfect part? Whatever the case, it wasnt long before Gene Simmons had something to say about it all. 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. 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. I have yet to figure out what this bridge was. The first G model is a Thunderbird Bass. That was until the scandal that rocked Nicks world in 2010. 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. It turns out Gene accidentally rubbed host Terry Gross up the wrong way during an interview with the star. I have a very large ego, dont wonder about that! There are a few pics that don't quite fit in. The reddish metal flake Grabber first shows up in Fayetteville, NC on 74.11.30 but it doesn't see steady action until 1975. 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). It turns out that Gene Simmons worked in a whole host of careers before he made his way to the world of rock and roll. . 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). [*] Its first appearance is the photo shoot that was set up the day of the Return of KISS dressrehearsal, 79.06.14. It might sound impossible, but its true. 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. 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. LoBue custom LP Triumph Gibson EB-0. 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 jury is out on that one. The pair have been together since 1983, with Gene telling People that theyve been happily unmarried most of that time. Once we move into 1978 and the Alive II tour the second Spector (henceforth known as Spector #2) makes its first appearance. The video clips are from one of the German dates (the blood spitting clip) and Sydney. He called her tongue the girls version. Apparently, Gene thinks it shows girls cant play with the guys because it will, in his words, never be as good. Sometimes the paintbrush can be just as beautiful as the art it inspires and creates. The bass checked . The result? As Simmons explains, I started out playing Ampeg SVTs and for a while we were going to do a line of SVT amps and they were originally going to be called The Punisher, and I was able to beat Marvel to the trademark for the name Punisher, even though they had a character named The Punisher. You know, I dont think in those terms, he explains. )Although not as obvious this is also seen in the pic from Toledo 76.07.30. The Fender Jazz basses Ive used on some songs, but live, theyre too boomy. As far as video evidence goes it first appears in the opening credits of KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park (see below). (My guess is that the P-bass pickup was added when it was painted black.) This is the story behind the iconic Axe Bass which has been wielded by Gene Simmons for decades. Would you believe that hes been building a business empire for himself since he was back in college? 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. That was until the wires got stuck and what was supposed to be a graceful rise into the air turned into something almost pretty dangerous. 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? Apparently, he didnt like Terrys supposed holier-than-thou attitude. These pics, which found their way into the later versions of the tour book, show the bass with a black blade and black knobs. 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 . Call us at 800-449-9128. At about eight or nine years of age Pink AXE Guitar. For many years, Simmons' primary . Gene tapped Valdez Guitars to build the first one, then Steve Carr built a few, as did Kramer, Jackson, and Cort. However, there is a dark side of Gene Simmons that not many have learned about over the years. Talking with legendary rock 'n' roll musician, Gene Simmons, one thing becomes clear pretty quickhe likes a good thrill. Watch Marty Friedman play with Megadeth again, Journey and Steve Lukather play Black Magic Woman. 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. Published. [*] 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". All rights reserved. And for the Valdez Axe that's all she wrote. Gene Simmons went through the folder compiled for him, containing approximately 100 pages. Meet Gene On Tour. Stage Played Pkg n/a. During one interview, the rockstar was asked if he admired anyone else more than himself. 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. The friend in question? Viewed as a whole it is obvious that the LoBue was far and away Gene's favorite. But out of costume, the Kiss co-frontman is an equally commanding presence. His. 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. That is probably going to be a very big item. 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. 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. 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. Spector #1 Spector #2 Thunderbird. Oftentimes we find that ownership of an idea is just as important as the idea itself. 15155. 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. Strings - Lutes - Guitars. I made several of these until we hit a design that is pretty much what he uses today." 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 do stuff because I get excited about it and then I hope that other people will get excited about it as well. Gene Simmons has played all sorts of instruments over the years, from the Charlie LoBue custom bass guitar heard on the early Kiss albums to his own Punisher and Axe signatures, although for a while in the mid-70s Simmons did experiment with Gibson Grabbers and Rippers. However, some. Everybody knows that Kiss bassist Gene Simmons has a long tongue. Whether or not the change to the new bridge occured earlier than Cobo Hall 76.01.25 is anybody's guess. While the price tag for the Axe basses might be high, they are often sold as a package deal with other perks. Let's hope it turns up in somebody's basement. [*] The reddish Grabber was re-finished since Gibson never offered the Grabber in any kind of metal flake finish. Some time in November mk VII shows up. The body is completely original but based on the concept of an old Gibson Melody Maker. Now, 46 years later, he and Gibson are teaming up for G2, a new line of basses and guitars announced this past week during the NAMM conference. Nady 950 wireless. There was once a time that Gene Simmons appeared to be on Fox News at every waking moment. The Kramer Axe was fine for playback but for one of very few live TV performances (the first one since 1974?) 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. The earliest known date for this is from Uniondale 79.09.01. At the time Spector only had two model bass guitars, the SB-1 and the SB-2. "Kiss was born on 23rd Street. 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. Note the original single coil pickup and the snug fit of the pickguard around the pickup in the picture on the right. Below are pictures detailing the rather slight differences between them. The Gibson Gene Simmons G Thunderbird Bass is out now, priced 2,499 / $2,799. It's only got one pickup with one dial for volume, one for tone; you can either turn it up or down. It turned out the bass player wanted to trademark the devil horns sign. Both Peter Criss and Gene Simmons weren't the best players of their instruments but by god they both had a cool groove which made their song unmistakenly Kiss. . 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