Punisher Bass ?, please no Gene Bashing.

bassguitarthund · #1 06-06-2010, 12:50 PM

I have been thinking of looking for one of Gene's Punisher basses in black with the white binding. Not the Punisher Axe, but the regular Punisher. I love the looks of it. How ever since I have never played one was curious if any of you have and what you have thought about it? I know it is all of personal prefferance as one bass may be great to one person and suck to another. Just looking for some serious input and please do not turn the thread into Gene bashing, not looking for info on that!

Thanks

Bassguitarthunder

JimmyM · #2 06-06-2010, 01:08 PM

really, the punisher looks to me like a glorified precision. having never played it, can't say for sure if that's the case, but it sounds that way on recordings to me.

Avalon · #3 06-06-2010, 01:51 PM

I have never seen one for sale, but I think that the Schecter DV-4 looks pretty similar. Of course, they just discontinued production last year, but there are a few on Ebay here and there.

bassguitarthund · #4 06-06-2010, 02:33 PM

Not really a fan of the "Precision" type basses, more of a "Jazz" bass fan. Have a Geddy Lee Jazz. Noticed they have a p/j pickup style. I like the look of the symetrical body shape with pointy tiped wings and fatter body than say an "SG". Just never played one before, obviuslly have heard it on the KISS albums if he did record with one and have heard it live. Do like the sound.
P.S. thanks for the info though

Kink Rimson · #5 06-06-2010, 03:20 PM

A couple of years back I played a gig in Nottingham, the bass player in one of the other bands on the bill had a Punisher - needless to say they are somewhat scarce over here!

I think they look pretty awesome. But be careful not to pay too much if you do find one, I remember Gene stating quite blatantly in interviews that it was a $250 bass being sold for $1000. And there were also sunburst and natural models available, which were not to Gene's taste at all.

Assuming Gene played the Punisher on Carnival of Souls, that's a damn fine tone in those things.

bassguitarthund · #6 06-07-2010, 07:29 AM

Thanks for the info guys!! I know he has played them live from the Revenge Album all the way up to the tour before the current tour. Not sure if he is still using them now that he has a deal with CORT? Just love the looks and it is some thing different. My Jazz bass is my go to bass. Just thought it would be cool to have one of the Punishers to brake out for speacial ocasions and to add to my small collection.

JimmyM · #7 06-07-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassguitarthund

Thanks for the info guys!! I know he has played them live from the Revenge Album all the way up to the tour before the current tour. Not sure if he is still using them now that he has a deal with CORT? Just love the looks and it is some thing different. My Jazz bass is my go to bass. Just thought it would be cool to have one of the Punishers to brake out for speacial ocasions and to add to my small collection.

it would be if they were priced what they're actually worth, which is probably around $600. but certainly not what this guy wants:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Gene-Simmons-Pun...-/150432083656

ThunderousFunk · #8 06-07-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

it would be if they were priced what they're actually worth, which is probably around $600. but certainly not what this guy wants

Must be Gene, himself, selling it!!!

cetera · #9 06-07-2010, 08:37 AM

I have one and it's great. Nice tight punchy tone on the J pickup and hot-rodded Precision tones from the P pickup.
Build quailty is excellent though it does suffer a little neckdive.
If you can find one at a good price go for it but they tend to be in the $1500 range even s/h...

Noseferatu · #10 06-07-2010, 10:23 AM

Well, you could always find one on Ebay, which you will pay a mint for.

Gene will be selling them for the first time again on the upcoming KISS US tour for $5000

http://gsaxe.com/

But really, just do what I'm going to do, and wait until Cort releases a cheaper version, much like they did with the Axe bass. I know they will do this, because I have insider info.

I played one ONCE and it was one of the best basses I've ever played. Certainly not worth $5000, but no bass is. If I had to pick, I'd place the Punisher right in my list of top 5 basses ever, with only a Warwick Corvette $$ being first.

Noseferatu · #11 06-07-2010, 09:58 PM

OR, have Scott Hembry build you one for ~$1800

http://www.hembryguitars.com/punisher.htm

Growly Lytes · #12 01-05-2011, 11:08 PM

God i didnt know Gene has started to release the Punisher Bass via Cort.
Now i can go for one as long as they arent $5000.
http://gsaxe.com/punisher.html

TolerancEJ · #13 01-06-2011, 12:36 PM

I haven't seen a Cort Punisher bass yet. If someone notices it online, post it here. I definitely cannot afford $5K for the official Axe or Punisher basses.

Growly Lytes · #14 01-06-2011, 09:51 PM

What do you mean bass bro.......here it is & its 5 gees.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gene-Simmons-Pun...item20b6521650
I think they will be coming out alot now but will dissapear quick after that so if your gonna get one like i wanna......time is now.
P.S- Have a look @ the pic of the back of the headstock where is says `Crafted By Cort`

ProfGumby · #15 01-07-2011, 07:43 PM

No knock on the original punisher, but it looks to me that a guy could have at a standard P/J Fender type body and get pretty close...and any generic paddle head neck would also complete the job....just sayin....

Noseferatu · #16 01-08-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProfGumby

No knock on the original punisher, but it looks to me that a guy could have at a standard P/J Fender type body and get pretty close...and any generic paddle head neck would also complete the job....just sayin....

Not true.

Of course one would think that but don't just make assumptions. I also believed the same thing at one time, but I got an opportunity to try a Punisher at a local shop just before Christmas and there is definitely a difference: the Punisher kicks way more ass tonally and visually.

Don't forget, the Fender is a different body style, different size, is made of maple, whereas the Punisher is made of mahogany, it is bolt on, the Punisher is neck through, and let's mot forget about the pickups: standard passives in the Fender vs active EMGs in the Punisher.

Gene has said that the Punisher is simply a hybrid bass of all his favorite features/characteristics of the different basses he's owned over the years.

He likes symmetrical bodies ala his early LoBue bass and even somewhat his Love Gun era Spector custom.

He likes neckthrough bodies ala his Lobue and Spector.

He likes clear tone, specifically EMGs, ala his Spectors and other basses in the 80s.

The Punisher is also a combination of all my favorite parts of basses.

Makes for one kickass rock bass.

Gene DOES use one every night onstage and has been for 18 years now. When he has his amp settings right, the Punisher sounds killer.

s_mcsleazy · #17 01-08-2011, 06:56 PM

must.............................. resist............................................ .. urge........................to.................... .......bash....................................... ............gene

weekend warrior · #18 01-08-2011, 08:06 PM

Was'nt that originally a BC Rich design????

badstonebass · #19 01-08-2011, 08:10 PM

I have had one about 10 years or so. It's its own beast...not really easy to compare.

The pure sound is really clean and piano like.

It's got good balance BUT the neck is WAY out on the body making it different to play. You need to get used to it. Personally I love it...your mileage may vary.

They are heavy though.

Growly Lytes · #20 01-08-2011, 08:27 PM

They must be one of the best basses around.I mean that shape the p/u the Mahogany & neck through must make it a bass to die for maybe ??