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Gene Simmons New Cort Axe Bass???

#227
First, yes, $5K is a ton for something with a Cort headstock. However, as far as I know the limited edition models are made in their US facility. So that adds something.

Second, the specs between the limited edition and current "price point" mass market models are vastly different. Looking on Gene's site then the Cort site should show you that.

First, limited edition is neck-thru construction, cheaper model is bolt on. Wood selections are different for neck and body. Pickups on the limited edition are EMG Actives. Mighty Mite passives on the cheaper version. Tuning keys and hardware are slightly higher quality on the limited edition, as well as a slight difference in the paint job.

Does that add up to $5K? Not really, however you are getting a truly limited edition, signed by Gene himself and presented to you at a concert meet and greet. If you are willing to pay the bucks, then okay. The basses you would buy this way will be wall mounters anyway.

I played the $500 edition last week. Overall, for a Korean made piece, the quality was very good. The neck joint was tight and clean. The fretboard was straight and the wood quality on it was good. It had decent weight and was not all that bad to hold/wear. The sound was good for a $500 Korean made bass, and actually probably pretty close to a "Kiss" sound. Until the Cort, most of Gene's basses only had passive pickups, and many of his basses only had a working volume knob. So figure a bass with a P or PJ pickup with no tone control. This bass reproduced that sound decently.

I am thinking of buying one to use on-stage. It attracts attention and is sorta cool, especially if you normally do music that is NOT in the Kiss genre.

So, stop dissing Mr. Simmons. Master marketer and is making some money off the limited edition basses, and will make a fair penny off the Cort mass market ones as well as many of us will buy them just for the shear look of it.
 
#228
Invalid Link Removed

Here is the bass at Guitar Center for $479. Not sure what the difference between this one and the one every one on here is talking about except that this has a bolt on neck.

I my self am a KISS fan. Gene is why I started playing bass and have been playing for years. Some of my other bass heroes are Jaco, Vic Wooten, Stanley, Marcus Miller and Geddy Lee and many more. Gene may not be a technical wizard on bass but I do believe he is a very good bassist. I have seen KISS several times in concert and have heard him play over the years. He is just not a flashy player, that is not his style and he will say that. Yes Gene is a bussines type person and very much into marketing, that is fine. I dont listen to the band or him for that reason. If I don't like some thing that KISS comes out with, then I choose not to get it! My choice! I will not slam other musicians or entertainers. I choose to respect every one! They have always said that they are about the liver show.
Also KISS does alot for charity over the years. On this tour they are donating money from every ticket to the wounded warrior project. My brother has been serving in Iraq so that means some thing to me. They also have done speacial one off concerts over the years for our boys and girls serving in uniform!!!
 
#233
Blacke said:
Has anyone read the interview

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This is some hysterical stuff

"The wood is from the Far East, which is key because of the levels of moisture and the amount of rain there. The thickness of this wood is what makes the AxeBass extraordinary because it gives it resonance.”

"Some people might not know that the cheaper guitars on the market are created in two pieces. Most guitars are made when the body piece and the neckpiece are connected with a bolt or glue. My guitar is made in one piece – one piece of wood. It sounds cooler and louder than anything else out there.”
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Did he really say this ? :rollno: Yes, we all know wet wood makes better instruments.
 
#234
bassguitarthund said:
Invalid Link Removed


Also KISS does alot for charity over the years. On this tour they are donating money from every ticket to the wounded warrior project. My brother has been serving in Iraq so that means some thing to me. They also have done speacial one off concerts over the years for our boys and girls serving in uniform!!!
Click to expand...

Let's be honest. KISS doesn't donate to charity out of the kindness of their own hearts. Anyone who buys that is very naive. With all due respect, KISS is a business machine. To reduce their taxable income, they donate the max allotment of money to fall into a lower tax bracket. I don't know the specifics, but its all about the almighty buck for Simmons and company.
 
#235
TRichardsbass said:
First, yes, $5K is a ton for something with a Cort headstock. However, as far as I know the limited edition models are made in their US facility. So that adds something.

Second, the specs between the limited edition and current "price point" mass market models are vastly different. Looking on Gene's site then the Cort site should show you that.

First, limited edition is neck-thru construction, cheaper model is bolt on. Wood selections are different for neck and body. Pickups on the limited edition are EMG Actives. Mighty Mite passives on the cheaper version. Tuning keys and hardware are slightly higher quality on the limited edition, as well as a slight difference in the paint job.

Does that add up to $5K? Not really, however you are getting a truly limited edition, signed by Gene himself and presented to you at a concert meet and greet. If you are willing to pay the bucks, then okay. The basses you would buy this way will be wall mounters anyway.

I played the $500 edition last week. Overall, for a Korean made piece, the quality was very good. The neck joint was tight and clean. The fretboard was straight and the wood quality on it was good. It had decent weight and was not all that bad to hold/wear. The sound was good for a $500 Korean made bass, and actually probably pretty close to a "Kiss" sound. Until the Cort, most of Gene's basses only had passive pickups, and many of his basses only had a working volume knob. So figure a bass with a P or PJ pickup with no tone control. This bass reproduced that sound decently.

I am thinking of buying one to use on-stage. It attracts attention and is sorta cool, especially if you normally do music that is NOT in the Kiss genre.

So, stop dissing Mr. Simmons. Master marketer and is making some money off the limited edition basses, and will make a fair penny off the Cort mass market ones as well as many of us will buy them just for the shear look of it.
Click to expand...

I agree with most of this, except I think you misspoke about how long Gene has been using active pups. He has been using P, P/J, and Humbucking EMG pups live, pretty much since EMG was formed. That's quite a few years longer than his relationship with Cort. EMGs impressed him by being so quiet compared to passives while having lots of output. But, yeah, the classic songs recorded by the original lineup were passive...IIRC, he used a PBass in the studio. So if you really want the original sound, get a P Bass ;)
 
#236
bassgod76 said:
Let's be honest. KISS doesn't donate to charity out of the kindness of their own hearts. Anyone who buys that is very naive. With all due respect, KISS is a business machine. To reduce their taxable income, they donate the max allotment of money to fall into a lower tax bracket. I don't know the specifics, but its all about the almighty buck for Simmons and company.
Click to expand...

Of course there will be an element of tax-breaks, but to say that they don't do it out of kindness is simply unfair. Why shouldn't it be possible to be successful in business and make contributions to charity because you want to?

I think rather than the OP being naive - you are being pessimistic and judgemental...
 
#237
THand said:
I agree with most of this, except I think you misspoke about how long Gene has been using active pups. He has been using P, P/J, and Humbucking EMG pups live, pretty much since EMG was formed. That's quite a few years longer than his relationship with Cort. EMGs impressed him by being so quiet compared to passives while having lots of output. But, yeah, the classic songs recorded by the original lineup were passive...IIRC, he used a PBass in the studio. So if you really want the original sound, get a P Bass ;)
Click to expand...

I think he's been using a musicman on a lot of his recent stuff.
 
#238
THand said:
I agree with most of this, except I think you misspoke about how long Gene has been using active pups. He has been using P, P/J, and Humbucking EMG pups live, pretty much since EMG was formed. That's quite a few years longer than his relationship with Cort. EMGs impressed him by being so quiet compared to passives while having lots of output. But, yeah, the classic songs recorded by the original lineup were passive...IIRC, he used a PBass in the studio. So if you really want the original sound, get a P Bass ;)
Click to expand...


+1 to all this. Gene has been using active EMGs since the early 80's... that's 30 years now! :bassist:
 
#240
Stingray19 said:
KISS are very well known for being big surpporters of the nation's military. Get your facts before you make accusations.
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Who doesn't support our nation's military? However, take a look at the big picture. Donations equal tax breaks which equals more money in Gene's pocket. The only thing I'm accusing KISS of is sound financial management.
 

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