Found this on Youtube and thought the KISSheads would like it. Gene "playing" a Tbird in 1992: and this old one from 1977 too - playing for real this time:
Interesting, don't think I've ever seen Gene play anything but his custom Corts and the Gibson Ripper he used for the first few tours. I was never really a fan, but for some reason I just couldn't think of them as Kiss in the no make up period.
He was kind of all over for a little while. Spectors, maybe BC Rich. I stopped paying attention a long time ago.
Yeah he played Spectors for a while from the mid 70s through the 80s. Played Pedullas and BC Riches as well until he settled on the Punisher in the early 90s.
Chronologically: LoBue Gibson Grabber (2) 70s P-Bass (backup) Gibson Ripper LoBue (again) Modded Slab-body '59-'60 EB-0 (briefly) Spector Pedulla Punisher / Axe (by several different mfrs) The Thunderbird made occasional appearances in the late 70s, and other brands like Kramer, BC Rich, etc, later on - but by and large it was the above basses. Rumor had it that a Rick 4001 was used on Rock and Roll Over, and the Ripper returned to some degree for Sonic Boom - at least in the studio.
Just a FYI type of thing. Gene in the studio was known for playing all different brands of basses and guitars and amps. Whatever he thought sounded best for what he was doing. He used gibson ripper and thunderbirds, Fender jazz basses, ampeg and fender amps,and many more that I don't remember to list.