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Gene Simmons LoBue Tribute Build

#62
You're right, TH. First, playing KISS music, you really don't venture beyond the 12th fret very often. If I don't care for it, or I want to do something different, this would sell quickly amongst my KISS tribute buddies. If I can pull this off, I'd be the only "Gene" in North America with a LoBue copy.
 
#65
I had a single 35DC on my main Ric for a number of years until I went back to all passive stuff. I actually got the idea from a Modulus Q4 "sweet spot" bass that I used in an old band (belonged to the singer). Powerful and excellent tone! I'd add a EMG BT preamp so your 3 knobs could be vol/bass/treble. Again, just my 2 cents.
 
#66
So after yesterday's expensive foam board fail, I decided to make my life a tad easier by purchasing black poster board.
I also used the original, larger template.
I'm still not happy with it.

What do you guys think?
photo_zpsc8458244.jpg

photo_zps89355cc7.jpg

photo_zpsef86e366.jpg



I still think the body needs to be a tad shorter and wider.
 
#67
bassgod76 said:
So after yesterday's expensive foam board fail, I decided to make my life a tad easier by purchasing black poster board.
I also used the original, larger template.
I'm still not happy with it.

What do you guys think?
photo_zpsc8458244.jpg

photo_zps89355cc7.jpg

photo_zpsef86e366.jpg



I still think the body needs to be a tad shorter and wider.
Click to expand...

Maybe widen it at the hips and flatten the bottom out a bit. The Horns are about perfect where they are.
 
#69
It's hard for me to tell...the first 2 pics look ok to me, but the bottom pic looks off.
Did you plot these to scale? I think you said you did, but if you plotted "fit to page" that will do funky things...and not good funky.
 
#70
Two big devil horns up! Looks like a fun build. I was inspired by Gene's EB-0 when I was doing my eight-string. The LoBue looks fairly similar. And nobody can dispute the historical significance of the LoBue (though many TB'ers will likely try :) ).
 
#73
bassgod76 said:
photo_zpsef86e366.jpg



I still think the body needs to be a tad shorter and wider.
Click to expand...
I think it needs to be quite a bit shorter to keep the right proportion. More like this kind of length, obviously with the bouts rounded to fit. To my eye, this seems a little closer to the original proportions.
ngseg6.jpg


Looking at LoBue's guitars, Gene's bass really looks like it was a bass neck put onto a LoBue guitar body rather than a purpose built bass...
 
#77
Basically Gene wanted the smallest bass body he could find to make himself look bigger on stage. So it stands to reason that they may have put a bass neck on one of the guitar bodies.

Gene was the one that made me want to play bass. I was playing guitar at the time and saw Kiss on The Midnight Special in 1975. I was completely mesmerized and wouldn't let my mom change the channel... I was 13 and I was hooked. So I'm really interested in this build.

If there is any way I can help, let me know. I'm pretty good with CAD. I could take a stab at it.

I think one way to get around the problem of attaching the neck would be to just make it a neck-through. It wouldn't be an exact replica, but I don't think it really needs to be. I know you already have the danny neck though.

Good band btw, great costumes... :)
 
#78
Ironfingers said:
Basically Gene wanted the smallest bass body he could find to make himself look bigger on stage. So it stands to reason that they may have put a bass neck on one of the guitar bodies.

Gene was the one that made me want to play bass. I was playing guitar at the time and saw Kiss on The Midnight Special in 1975. I was completely mesmerized and wouldn't let my mom change the channel... I was 13 and I was hooked. So I'm really interested in this build.

If there is any way I can help, let me know. I'm pretty good with CAD. I could take a stab at it.

I think one way to get around the problem of attaching the neck would be to just make it a neck-through. It wouldn't be an exact replica, but I don't think it really needs to be. I know you already have the danny neck though.

Good band btw, great costumes... :)
Click to expand...

From what I've been told and read, Gene came in to LoBue's shop and saw the bass hanging on the wall. Then the story changed and it was built for him. Gene has always been "foggy" about how he's come across his basses.
http://axeology.com/LoBue.html#LoBue1973

KISSArticle7.jpg


KISSArticle6.jpg



Today, I attempted to go to Kinkos to get a properly sized rendering of the file THand gave me. They suck.

So, I then went to a printing place. I should've done this to begin with. For half the money, they got me exactly what I needed (I think).

I will lay it out and see how it looks tonight. Hopefully the large back/narrow sides issue is addressed.

I used the Dano neck for three reasons:
-It is short scale. Many reputable sources all confirm the LoBue was short scale (shrugs)
-It is 24 frets
-The trus rod adjust is in the heel

Plus going bolt-on gives me the option of swapping the neck if I dislike it.

In a few months, we're switching over to Dynasty era suits. Kind of excited to go from a metal suit to a foam one.
 

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