Gene Simmons sound on 'Revenge' 1992

Silk · #1 06-12-2006, 03:26 PM

Hello there,

Did a search and was unable to figure what kind of gear was using 'Mister Demon' for the recording of the 'Revenge' album.

I'ld say that he used a Gibson Grabber and usual amp rig but I'm not sure as I know he had a lot of custom basses at this time (Punisher, Axes, Spector Custom ...)

If someone could tell me if I'm wrong or not, that would be cool

.

Btw, I'm actually using a '77 Gibson EB 4L and the sound that I get is really near Gene one on the Revenge Album, but it has less clarity.

cetera · #2 06-13-2006, 05:15 AM

Gene is well known for using studio basses as well as his own when recording.... whatever suits the vibe!
e.g. on the Psycho Circus album a Stingray was used on a couple of songs!

On Revenge I would guess at a combination of his 1977 Spector SB1 Custom (which he rescued from retirement around this time), Pedulla & Punisher basses depending on the track...

You're right.... he had a great growling tone on this album!

Silk · #3 06-13-2006, 06:14 AM

Okay, and thanks

.

I would have say an old Gibson at least for 'Unholy' but I never played any Pedulla, Punisher or Spector so maybe their sound is even closer.

Whatever he used, love this growl

.

Ekim · #4 06-13-2006, 10:00 PM

Yeah, I love that CD. I really love Eric Singer's drum sounds. They're killer compared to the wimpy sounds the mixer/producer/whoever used to give Eric Carr. (Not dogging Eric Carr's playing, just the sounds they put on the CD.)

badstonebass · #5 06-15-2006, 12:20 AM

Gene has said in many interviews he plays whatever bass sounds good for the song. He used Fenders, Punishers, Spectors and others. Gene gets his sound more from amp settings and his technique. Watch KISS Unplugged and listen to how it just sound like him, even with a acoustic bass.

Nobody can do a slide like Gene BOOOOOOWAHHHHHHHH!

bassist15 · #6 06-15-2006, 10:07 AM

I acually read an interview with Paul Stanley and he said Gene never really recorded many basslines on the album . Paul said it was either him or Ace or a session bassist that played tehm on record. then they were taught to Gene for live shows. Im not sure though

badstonebass · #7 06-15-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist15

I acually read an interview with Paul Stanley and he said Gene never really recorded many basslines on the album . Paul said it was either him or Ace or a session bassist that played tehm on record. then they were taught to Gene for live shows. Im not sure though

I'd love to see that interview, as Paul is usually tight lipped about who plays what.

In the early days 73-78, Gene did most of the basslines. They were great lines.

For DYNASTY & Unmasked the players mainly only bothered to play on the tunes they wrote. Ace played on ACE tunes, etc.

In the 80's Paul and Gene basically cut their songs with whoever they wanted. In fact Gene plays GUITAR on many of his tunes. They brought in players to get the albums done.....thus the loss of the great KISS bassline for the 80's.

REVENGE is mostly Gene on bass. Ezrin only agreed to produce the album on the condition Gene would become more involved. Thus the great basslines returned.

Blazer · #8 06-15-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekim

Yeah, I love that CD. I really love Eric Singer's drum sounds. They're killer compared to the wimpy sounds the mixer/producer/whoever used to give Eric Carr. (Not dogging Eric Carr's playing, just the sounds they put on the CD.)

Listen to "Creatures of the night" and the follow up album "Lick it up" and eat those words Eric Carr's best recorded drumsound can be heard on those two albums.

Blazer · #9 06-15-2006, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist15

I acually read an interview with Paul Stanley and he said Gene never really recorded many basslines on the album . Paul said it was either him or Ace or a session bassist that played tehm on record. then they were taught to Gene for live shows. Im not sure though

Not entirely, according to several interviews with Guitar world and Bassplayer, Paul Stanley played the killer bassline of "Love gun", Ace Frehley Played Bass on "torpedo girl" Eric Carr played bass on "I still love you" and Jimmy Haslip played Bass on "saint and sinner" from the "Creatures of the night" album. But only because Gene had hurt his hand and couldn't play at that session. Gene Actually had to show Haslip how to play that line and is rumored to have said "Please keep it simple okay, I still have to play that **** live you know."

badstonebass · #10 06-15-2006, 08:46 PM

The drum sound on Creatures of the Night set the standard for metal drums for YEARS. Everybody was looking for that sound.

cetera · #11 06-16-2006, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist15

I acually read an interview with Paul Stanley and he said Gene never really recorded many basslines on the album . Paul said it was either him or Ace or a session bassist that played tehm on record. then they were taught to Gene for live shows. Im not sure though

As others have said.... there are odd occasions where other people played bass but 90% of the time it was Gene. A couple of examples are 'Escape From The Island' on '(Music From) The Elder' - that's Bob Ezrin..... and on the same album 'I' is played by Eric Carr....

Ace wasn't in the band on 'Revenge' and DID NOT play bass on it...