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Gene Simmons LoBue Tribute Build

#924
I think a spray gun, but I've worked with Reranch rattle cans in the past and they worked well. All I know right now is that I have to wipe down the body and neck with shellac, and get filled with wallboard compound.
 
#925
bassgod76 said:
I think a spray gun, but I've worked with Reranch rattle cans in the past and they worked well. All I know right now is that I have to wipe down the body and neck with shellac, and get filled with wallboard compound.
Click to expand...

I have never used shellac, so I have no advice for its use. What is wallboard compound?

The easiest urethane I have sprayed is a brand called Nason by Dupont. I use their single stage ful thane urethane. Link Removed

PPG is great, but its not as forgiving as the Nason stuff. PPG runs easier, so its hard to get enough paint laid down and not get orange peel.
 
#926
Hopkins said:
I have never used shellac, so I have no advice for its use. What is wallboard compound?

The easiest urethane I have sprayed is a brand called Nason by Dupont. I use their single stage ful thane urethane. Link Removed

PPG is great, but its not as forgiving as the Nason stuff. PPG runs easier, so its hard to get enough paint laid down and not get orange peel.
Click to expand...

I've been told that wallboard compound is outstanding for grain fill.
This video explains it pretty well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhk6rZ2UI1Y
 
#927
bassgod76 said:
I've been told that wallboard compound is outstanding for grain fill.
This video explains it pretty well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhk6rZ2UI1Y
Click to expand...

So sheet rock mud, very interesting. I would have never thought about using it. I may give it a try next time I do a build with a deep grained wood. I would have sealed the wood first, especially when using a water based product so the grain wouldn't raise.
 
#928
ampegfuzz said:
Looks like the back isn't painted. Paint would probably come right off with the costume anyway.
Click to expand...
Ampfuzz: I remember and checked out the the Bass. The first night of the Destroyer tour in Roosevelt stadium 1976. The Bass had just come out Lobue's shop, fresh painted BACK AND ALL along with a bright white painted on binding.
I was the only one allowed to take pictures down in the pit (that was CRAZY day and evening. Nothing's ever topped it) One of the BW photos here (Gene head tilted back with Bass out front) I took that night. I still have more negatives someplace
Kiss also had 3 or 4 tripods of B&W video up in the wings that night. All the gear, set, back-line and costumes were fresh out off production rehearsals at the Capital movie theater across the water in Jersey.
According to Paul "Ace" Frehley Gene fell off the stage into the pit with that Bass wile flirting with a girl at the very edge. The Bass broke was given to a friend of his who was supposed to glue it together. (Charlie Lobue was undergoing a mess relocating his shop on 48st) The Bass was forgotten about and disappeared during a long off tour hiatus and some "sticky" stuff with people and managers
 
#929
Tonight I'm experimenting with finishes. I don't want something perfect looking. Something tells me that the Mark VI (the version I'm doing) was painted with a rattle can on the road. It seems the electrical tape covering the old bridge holes, and the crappy faux binding make it look like a road job. The Mark VII has a much brighter binding, and the electrical tape is gone and replaced with the last bridge version before disappearing forever. I suspect the Mark VII was painted professionally at Charlie's shop.
 
#930
image_zps1b539780.jpg.html


Hi Bassgod I been on tour teching all summer. I figure I better speak up now before you paint. This was a long time ago but im 99% sure the neck ledge on the original Lobue tapered in towards the neck to maybe a 1/4 - 3/8th inch small "bump".
I'm shocked everything else looks exactly like the Lobue Gene let me check out 35 years ago. This is quite mind blowing !!

Did you find a DPDT or 3P3T rotary switch for the series/parallel or series/parallel/tap coil selector ?
 
#931
Joe L said:
image_zps1b539780.jpg.html


Hi Bassgod I been on tour teching all summer. I figure I better speak up now before you paint. This was a long time ago but im 99% sure the neck ledge on the original Lobue tapered in towards the neck to maybe a 1/4 - 3/8th inch small "bump".
I'm shocked everything else looks exactly like the Lobue Gene let me check out 35 years ago. This is quite mind blowing !!

Did you find a DPDT or 3P3T rotary switch for the series/parallel or series/parallel/tap coil selector ?
Click to expand...

I'm going to leave the neck heel alone at this point. If I change it, it will be after the kiss Kruise bonvoyage party in October.

Yes, the third knob is a functioning two position rotary switch that is wired series and parallel.
 
#932
Yeah, according to Axelogy, the first incarnation of the LoBue in Black was November 1975, a year before you said it was refinished at Charlie's shop. I'm pretty sure Charlie LoBue refinished the bass and added the new bridge when you saw it that night.
 
#933
I just looked, what I saw on July 76 was the same setup as November 1975 to May 76 only repainted by Charlie in June 76 for the up coming Destroyer tour and dress rehearsals. (renamed Spirit 76 tour by the record company not to upset cops and parents)
Concert footage:
http://thesexyarmpit.blogspot.com/2010/08/kiss-at-roosevelt-stadium-in-jersey.html

Yeah funny, it looks only 3 months (November) the Bass is destroyed again by the new "Destroyer" costume LOL.
Somebody (Likely one of the techs) had to keep it playing on the road. The palmrest & bridge screws were likely shot, holes stripping so they put the tailpiece back on to re-leave stress on the bridge. Gene also sweated like Niagara falls in that costume outdoor summer tour. I remember sweat trickling --literally pouring out from under that costume armor all over that bass that and floor that night (July 10th, 1976) --not good for hardware & nitrocellulose paints of the time

I think your correct about the rattle can at that point. It wouldn't surprise me if Gene himself **may** have used "Liquid Paper" correct-o-type for the binding on the tour bus. (he refused to fly on airplanes back then and would get bored)
 
#934
Joe L said:
I just looked, what I saw on July 76 was the same setup as November 1975 to May 76 only repainted by Charlie in June 76 for the up coming Destroyer tour and dress rehursals.
Concert footage:
http://thesexyarmpit.blogspot.com/2010/08/kiss-at-roosevelt-stadium-in-jersey.html

In only 3 months (November) it's destroyed again by the new "Destroyer" costume LOL.
Somebody (Likely one of the techs) had to keep it playing on the road. The bridge screw holes were likely shot and stripped so they went with a tailpiece to hold the strings tension. Gene also sweated like Niagara falls in that costume outdoor summer tour. I remember sweat trickling --literally pouring out from under that costume armor all over that bass that and floor that night (July 10th, 1976)

I think your correct about the rattle can at that point. It wouldn't surprise me if Gene himself **may** have used "Liquid Paper" correct-o-type for the binding on the tour bus. (he refused to fly on airplanes back then and would get bored as hell)
Click to expand...

Good call on the liquid paper. I always thought the added tail piece was done, so long scale strings could be used. No matter. If I ever do another LoBue, I'd most likely do a Mark II version.
 
#935
LOVING this bass build! Great work! I had a Spector SB-1 GS 1977 replica custom built for me and it's one of my faves...


Joe L said:
According to Paul "Ace" Frehley Gene fell off the stage into the pit with that Bass wile flirting with a girl at the very edge. The Bass broke was given to a friend of his who was supposed to glue it together. (Charlie Lobue was undergoing a mess relocating his shop on 48st) The Bass was forgotten about and disappeared during a long off tour hiatus and some "sticky" stuff with people and managers
Click to expand...

This is untrue. Gene told me he gave the bass to Micki Free (later of Crown Of Thorns) back in the mid 70's. I confirmed this with Micki.... and he told me that it was then stolen from the trunk of his car.... much to his distress and embarrassment. So, it's still out there somewhere!
 
#938
cetera said:
This is untrue. Gene told me he gave the bass to Micki Free (later of Crown Of Thorns) back in the mid 70's. I confirmed this with Micki.... and he told me that it was then stolen from the trunk of his car.... much to his distress and embarrassment. So, it's still out there somewhere!
Click to expand...

I am so glad you chimed in on this!
The Micki Free story has been confirmed over and over. I don't know why anyone would give anything Ace "says" he remembers about those years any credibility at all...I doubt Ace knows where half of his own gear is, much less Gene's. He couldn't even remember his own licks for the reunion tour.
I'm sorry Ace, but you can't be drugged-out of your mind idiot and expect to be a reliable source for anything...

okay...I feel better now.
 
#939
cetera said:
LOVING this bass build! Great work! I had a Spector SB-1 GS 1977 replica custom built for me and it's one of my faves...




This is untrue. Gene told me he gave the bass to Micki Free (later of Crown Of Thorns) back in the mid 70's. I confirmed this with Micki.... and he told me that it was then stolen from the trunk of his car.... much to his distress and embarrassment. So, it's still out there somewhere!
Click to expand...

I wonder if this bass will re-appear in some little shop somewhere soon, like Jaco's BOD did a few years back?

I'm surprised, it hasn't surfaced, because I bet Gene would pay big dollars for it.
 

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