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Gibson Thunderbird IV Bass

Electric Basses

In this video, Gene uses this Thunderbird bass live during one of KISS's shows. According to the website Axeology "After being on a brief hiatus the Thunderbird returned to the Gibson catalogue in 1976 for the Bicentennial. G...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Cort GS Ax Punisher 2 Bass

Electric Basses

One of Gene Simmons’ two basses is a Cort GS Ax Punisher. According to Simmons’ tech at (13:16), “This is the main bass for the show. A black Punisher with a little white trim and it's real simple. It's just two EMG active pickups hardwired right to the volume knob. We get rid of the pickup selec...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Gibson EB-0 Bass

Electric Basses

In this photo Gene is shown playing the Gibson EB-O in black. According to the website Axeology this bass is "long believed to be a prototype for a possible Gibson Gene Simmons signature guitar, this bass is actually a heavil...

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Verified Correct, Supported via Photo

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Kramer Ferrington Acoustic Bass

Acoustic & Acoustic-Electric Basses

Spotted 0:09s in KISS' "MTV Unplugged" video for "Coming Home".

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted about 4 years ago

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Gibson Ripper L9S Bass

Electric Basses

In this photo set, Gene is seen playing this Gibson Ripper. According to the website Axeology "the Ripper was introduced as the 'big brother' to the Grabber in 19...

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Verified Correct, Supported via Axeology

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Spector Forte (USA), 2010.

Electric Basses

According to the website Axeology Gene had 2 of these Spector SB-1 commissioned around 1976 to be customized to his liking. Used mainly throughout the 1977 Love Gun tour they were also used in later tours with other Bass gui...

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Verified Correct, Supported via Axeology

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Mesa/Boogie Rig.

Bass Amplifier Stacks

While there seem to not be any live photos of Gene with the Spector NS-2, there are these from Asylum tour book and a video or two.

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Verified Correct, Supported via Axeology

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Cort GS-Axe 2 Bass Guitar

Electric Basses

Gene plays this guitar for shows as seen in this video. Cort debuted the guitar at NAMM 2012, although it looks as though it may no longer be available for purchase.

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Verified Correct, Supported via Zimbio

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 Bass Cabinet

Bass Amplifier Cabinets

According to Simmons’ tech Jason Lemiere, the KISS frontman plays through Ampeg 8x10 cabinets. At (12:35), he says, Gene Simmons is “super, super loud. We point them backwards to cut the stage volume a little bit for the other guys.” Simmons uses “Just one [cabinet]. We run one cabinet, one mai...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Empress Compressor

Compressor Effects Pedals

In this Premier Guitar Rig Rundown, Gene Simmons’ Tech Jason Lemiere shows off Gene Simmons’ compressor pedal. The pedal is used to, “Add a little more sustain to the basses. Not so much squashing the signal.” (11:07)

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Gibson Grabber Bass

Electric Basses

In this video, Gene is seen playing the Grabber bass. According to the website Axeology this bass was "introduced in 1973, the Grabber was Gibson's first bolt-on neck bass and featured a sliding pickup (you 'grabbed' it to ch...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Dunlop Herco Flex 75 Nylon 1.01mm Guitar Picks

Picks & Pick Holders

In this image, we can see Simmons preforming live with his mic stand laced with Herco .75s.

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Verified Correct, Supported via Photo

Submitted over 2 years ago

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Tech 21 1969 Solid State Head

Bass Amplifier Heads

Simmons runs his signal through Tech 21 Solid State 1969 heads. According to Simmons’ tech, Jason Lemiere, (11:07) “It's simply straight right into the new Tech 21, their 1969 heads. It's an all solid state head. It really, really has the sound of a tube amp. They really done a really good job of...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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GHS Gene Simmons Bass Boomers Medium Gauge Strings

Strings

Gene Simmons endorsered GHS Bass Bommers strings long ago.

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Unverified, Supported via i.pinimg.com

Submitted over 4 years ago

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Jackson Axe Bass

Electric Basses

Gene Simmons with his signature Jackson Axe Bass

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted about 4 years ago

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1976 Gibson Ripper

Electric Basses

In this video, we can see Simmons recording Bass tracks with a Sunburst 1976 Gibson Ripper.

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 3 years ago

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B.C. Rich Punisher

Electric Basses

Custom made for Gene with his input on design is the B.C Rich Punisher Bass which Gene used live from 1992.

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Verified Correct, Supported via BlogSpot

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Gibson Les Paul Standard

Solid Body Electric Guitars

In this video Gene teaches how to play "Lick It Up" with black Gibson Les Paul Standard. Kiss Kruise V

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 3 years ago

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Staccato Mg Bass

Electric Basses

This particular bass was seen in the UH ! All Night video, This bass was very unique in terms of construction, the neck was made out of magnesium and a fiberglass body, i continued on my research on this bass and discovere that it was a pure custom job for gene. Gene had played the MG model with...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted about 6 years ago

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Steve Carr Axe Bass

Electric Basses

In the spring of 79, gene commissioned luthier Steve Carr to create a prototype bass that resembled an ‘executioners axe’. The result was a large, Bass with an aesthetic that fit the character of ‘the demon’. However this Bass was never filmed live and can be seen only in photographs of gene posi...

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Verified Correct, Supported via Axeology

Submitted over 3 years ago

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Kramer Axe Bass

Electric Basses

Gene had several "Axe" bass guitars before the Kramer model, but this particular model was the one that he toured with and used live from 1979, 1980 and 1983. As usual the Bass was modified over the years.

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray 5

Electric Basses

In one of the photos of Lita Ford's "Time Capsule" album cover, you can see Gene Simmons with Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5 Ivory White Special, with Roasted Maple Fingerboard. He also played bass on several songs on the album (including "Rotten to the Core", writen by himself for a Kiss album ...

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Verified Correct, Supported via 126

Submitted about 3 years ago

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Strymon El Capistan dTape Echo

Delay Effects Pedals

For his solo on “God of Thunder,” Simmons uses the Strymon El Capistan Tape Delay Echo pedal. Gene’s tech says at (12:04), “We use the Strymon tape delay echo pedal for Gene's solo. We've gone back and forth, we've used a full tone tape delay. Depending on where we are we'll switch it back and fo...

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 9 years ago

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Charlie Lobue Custom bass

Electric Basses

Here is Gene playing this on Paul Lynn's Halloween show in 76.

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted over 8 years ago

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Gibson 1959 Les Paul Custom Historic Electric Guitar

Solid Body Electric Guitars

Rare picture of Gene Simmons with this Les Paul. Used in the song "Ladies in Waiting"

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Verified Correct, Supported via sun1.beltelecom-by-minsk.userapi.com

Submitted about 4 years ago

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Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass Walnut

Electric Basses

Rare photo of Gene Simmons with Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass

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Verified Correct, Supported via Cffpics

Submitted about 4 years ago

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EMG P-J Bass Pickup Set

Parts

Gene uses EMG PJ Pickup Set for his bass guitars

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Verified Correct, Supported via Starsinsider

Submitted about 4 years ago

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LoBue (mk VIII)

Electric Basses

The three-night stand in Detroit from 77.01.27, represented here by the pro-shot video from the third night, is the first sighting of the last incarnation of the LoBue (mk VIII)

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Unverified, Supported via Axeology

Submitted almost 7 years ago

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Tech 21 VT-Bass 1969

Bass Amplifier Heads

The Source URL is a rig rundown by PremierGuitar Magazine. PG caught up with current guitarist Tommy Thayer, along with techs Francis and Michael Berger, to dig into all the axes (in some cases, literally), effects, and amps that the band brought out on their 2014 tour with Def Leppard.

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Unverified, Supported via Premierguitar

Submitted over 6 years ago

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Valdez Bat Bass

Was made by Arturo Valdez, first appearance in an ad for Sunn amps in 1979.

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Verified Correct, Supported via YouTube

Submitted about 6 years ago

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Gear Guides

5 Best Bass Strings: Choice Wires to Bring the Bass

Mason Hoberg

Mason Hoberg

Updated February 2024

Top 5 Bass Compressor Pedals

Michael Pierce Giulio Chiarenza

Michael Pierce & Giulio Chiarenza

Updated February 2024

5 Best Bass Amplifiers

Mason Hoberg

Mason Hoberg

Updated July 2022

6 Best Bass Distortion Pedals

Mason Hoberg

Mason Hoberg

Updated October 2022