Gene Simmons Playing a Thunderbird

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.

 

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.

 

Are you kidding? He'd play a Daisy Rock if they paid him.

 

And charge $25,000 for a signed one from his official website.

 

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.