Gene Simmons

Jade Stolar · #1 12-04-2008, 01:04 PM

I've looked everywhere including this forum and the basses forum and couldn't find any information on Gene Simmons's playing style or what equipment he is using these days.

I know that his bass is his signature axe, but I wonder who made it? Does anyone here know?

Dark Star · #2 12-04-2008, 01:08 PM

I think Washburn makes Gene's axe bass.

I could be wrong, however...

Nidan · #3 12-04-2008, 01:20 PM

From a Bass Player interview "The Gene Simmons Punisher is my own design, and I sell it myself. If you want one, you can call 1-609-PUNISHER. It costs 1500 bucks. Each one is handmade and signed." It was originally made by B.C. Rich but Gene didn't like the quality

LaughingGroove · #4 12-04-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nidan

If you want one, you can call 1-609-PUNISHER

12 numbers?

ummmmm???

scottbass · #5 12-04-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaughingGroove

12 numbers?

ummmmm???

That's quite common in order to get the letters of a word that makes sense. The extra letter(s)/number(s) at the end have no effect when you are making the call.

So, yeah, the REAL number is 1-609 PUNISHE. No big deal. Ozzie could have 1-555-LORDOFDARKNESS if he wanted. The "ARKNESS" would merely be superfluous.

Kwin Smith · #6 12-04-2008, 01:55 PM

Since some of the other posts were deleted, my original post looked painfully out of context, so it has been deleted also.

Now, doesn't Gene still use Ampeg? Anyone know the model?

BillySid · #7 12-04-2008, 01:59 PM

He had a signature Ampeg a few years back. Don't know if he is still using those now. With the huge stack of cabs at live KISS shows, whatever is back there is modeled looks wise from a SVTCL. And probably what he is playing out of is not even on the stage I would bet.

sucka · #8 12-04-2008, 04:15 PM

I have read somewhere that this punisher is a signature made by Spector.

TheWolf · #9 12-04-2008, 04:25 PM

Here is the manual for the Gene Simmons Punisher Ampeg SVT-GS

http://www.ampeg.com/manuals/SVT-GS.PDF

Looks Sexay...Did not know it existed till now...

Mike Shevlin · #10 12-04-2008, 04:26 PM

His Axe basses were made a while back by Kramer. Before the Axe bass he used Spector basses through the late 70's - before that it was Gibson Rippers. All his Ampeg speaker cabinets in his backline are empty - no speakers. One Ampeg head (he uses a number of them including his Signature Model)powers one of the 8x10s has a single 10" speaker which is mic'd through their massive sound system.

badstonebass · #11 12-05-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jade Stolar

I've looked everywhere including this forum and the basses forum and couldn't find any information on Gene Simmons's playing style or what equipment he is using these days.

I know that his bass is his signature axe, but I wonder who made it? Does anyone here know?

In concert Gene favors the PUNISHER over the AXE. Probably for COMFORT reasons as playing wise they are very similar.

I have a PUNISHER and it is an awesome bass. I especially like the way the neck is COMPLETELY free from the body. Makes the neck way out on you fretting hand. Good for me as I am a fairly big guy. It certainly would NOT work for Angus Young. It is Mahogany with a maple through neck. heavy as well. It has EMG selects and sounds PIANO like without any dirt. Get it dialed in right and it is VERY aggressive. It sounds like no other bass. It seems to be based on his '78 era Spector.

As for style....Gene happens to play BASS in a BAND. He really is a quite good guitar player and plays guitar quite a bit on KISS albums. His early playing style is heavily influenced by McCartney....thus motown.....and he rarely plays thumping eighths. If a KISS song has a crappy, one note line, you can bet Gene did not play it.

Gene uses a pick exclusively, even though sometimes for effect on video he used his fingers. In concert it is all pick.

Gene has been fairly loyal to AMPEG through his career. Live he seems to like the classic SVT sound......with quite a LOT of DIRT. In the studio he tended to use whatever sounded good for the album.

In fact for REVENGE he was quoted as playing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING on the album deciding what worked for the song.

Although I don't really like the DVD....KISS Rock the Nation....really has a good and upfront mix of Gene's bass....and he plays great on it.

JimmyM · #12 12-05-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Shevlin

His Axe basses were made a while back by Kramer. Before the Axe bass he used Spector basses through the late 70's - before that it was Gibson Rippers. All his Ampeg speaker cabinets in his backline are empty - no speakers. One Ampeg head (he uses a number of them including his Signature Model)powers one of the 8x10s has a single 10" speaker which is mic'd through their massive sound system.

Where did you hear that? I don't recall Gene ever using a Spector, nor have I ever heard that he completely empties out an SVT cab except one speaker. Knew about the dummy cabs, though.

Pedulla? · #13 12-05-2008, 01:31 PM

I don't know who makes the axe bass but for whatever reason Gene is sponsored by Pedulla, and the mystery continues.

badstonebass · #14 12-05-2008, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Where did you hear that? I don't recall Gene ever using a Spector, nor have I ever heard that he completely empties out an SVT cab except one speaker. Knew about the dummy cabs, though.

From the Spector site - For 20 years, Gene Simmons of the legendary band KISS recorded and toured with his custom made Spector bass. Gene and his bass finally did part ways, though by all accounts he was reluctant to give it up. This one-of-a-kind instrument recently (Oct 2005) sold on Ebay for $29, 995
We're proud to be such a part of rock and roll history. Thanks Gene!

He used this bass off and on form 1977 up until the re-union in 1996. There were actually Two of them slightly different. He also added studs to them off and on.

here it one with studs

shaboda · #15 12-05-2008, 02:21 PM

He has played Pedullas, Spectors, Gibsons in the past..... and has actually recorded some stuff w/ Fenders...but the first punisher was made by BC RICH.

Then he 'made them himself' - and there was no manufacturer listed.

I actually had one that I bought straight from his warehouse in 1996. It had no manf. name listed anywhere. I had serial #113.(which is why I bought mine) Each one was Signed and Numbered. It was an OK bass, but really just something else for a KISS fan to throw money at. I unloaded mine last spring....

As for amps - who knows... and who knows what he used to do in the studio....he didnt play on a lot the KISS records anyhow. Eric Carr played bass on a couple songs, Paul Stanley, Bruce Kulick played too... plus whatever other guys were around.

By the way - He is a real tool.
I met him years ago.

Mutato · #16 12-05-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Where did you hear that? I don't recall Gene ever using a Spector, nor have I ever heard that he completely empties out an SVT cab except one speaker. Knew about the dummy cabs, though.

Gene used a Spector in the mid 80's at the very least. I believe you can see him using one in the Tears Are Falling video.

On a related note, Gene's tone on Jigoku Retsuden is awesome. They did a great job on that disc.

badstonebass · #17 12-05-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaboda

he didnt play on a lot the KISS records anyhow.

Eric Carr played bass on a couple songs, Paul Stanley, Bruce Kulick played too... plus whatever other guys were around.

This is overstated a bit. Up until 78 or so he played most of the stuff. however KISS themselves jumped all over the place on instruments.

After the solo albums the KISS member recorded mamny of their own tunes BY themselves.

In the 80's it was hit or miss who plays what...Gene might not play bass on the track but he might play guitar.

Eric carr played on a couple tunes and Bruce played on many as well .

However Gene played on 99.9% of the classic KISS catalog.

Usually Gene is first class I have seen him be a jerk...usually towards morons.

Lowbrow · #18 12-05-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badstonebass

Usually Gene is first class I have seen him be a jerk...usually towards morons.

That must mean he mainly encounters morons based on the widespread impression of his behavior. My personal moronic impression as well, BTW.

badstonebass · #19 12-05-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowbrow

That must mean he mainly encounters morons based on the widespread impression of his behavior. My personal moronic impression as well, BTW.

Gene's public impression is NOT his usual personal behaviour.

He's sort of like Ted Nugent.

Camera off cool....camera ON instant ass.

Lowbrow · #20 12-05-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badstonebass

Gene's public impression is NOT his usual personal behaviour.

He's sort of like Ted Nugent.

Camera off cool....camera ON instant ass.

Not to put too fine a point on this, but by personal behavior I mean "camera off."

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f28/famous-bassist-454065-post6030652/

Maybe he's niced up in the last 25 years.