Gene Simmons

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 selector. We get rid of the input jack underneath. It's literally two pickups right to the volume knob...the Punisher is the meat of the show.”

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. Gene's version is either a '76 or '77 ebony version that was modified from the get-go."

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 heavily modified 60’s Gibson EB-0."

The Gibson pickup was moved closer to the bridge and a Badass bridge installed. The faux “binding” was a cosmetic modification done to highlight the guitar’s body shape and size, as Gene wanted a striking visual to go along with KISS’s image. Source: https://www.vintageguitar.com/3353/kiss-able-gibson/

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

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 1973."

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 guitars.

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.

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.

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 change the pickup position, hence the name)."

Gene Simmons with his signature Jackson Axe Bass

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

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

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 a further custom touch of EMG pickups, as we all know he has been a long time proponent of EMG.

The Stacatto MG was crafted in Norfolk, England.

This was one of the more crazier lookin basses i think gene ever used. i havent seen any other production than the video that this bas was seen in..

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 posing with the Bass. However it can be assumed he performed with this Bass as a ‘test drive’ of sorts. One of the possible reasons this Bass never came to more use was the weight of the thing. Owing to the size and wood used. But it cannot be denied this sparked the beginning of a long standing relationship between kiss and Steve Carr resulting in several historic and innovative guitar designs and features (gimmicks) and the beginning of an essential and inseparable part of Gene Simmons as we know him today.

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.

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 "Crazy Nights"). Perhaps the bass used only in the studio.

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

Rare photo of Gene Simmons with Gibson Les Paul Triumph Bass

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)

Gene Simmons uses the Valdez Bat Bass, crafted by Arturo Valdez, which first appeared in a 1979 Sunn amps advertisement. Its use is documented in the 1989 "Kiss - Hide Your Heart" music video on YouTube, uploaded by Jaramosltr.

Gene Simmons is seen playing a Fender American Special PJ Bass at a private show, as captured in a user-uploaded photo on Matter.

During KISS's performance of "War Machine" at The Ritz on August 13, 1988, Gene Simmons played a Pedulla MVP custom paint bass, as seen in the YouTube video from their Crazy Nights tour.

In the official video for "Sure Know Something" by Kiss, Gene Simmons mentions that his original Valdez Axe was crafted in Los Angeles.

Rare video of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are playing Kiss song "Goin' Blind" at MTV studios. Gene has Gibson Les Paul Standard Bass LPB-3

In 1985 Gene appears with a white Pedulla. Perhaps the band felt that the black Pedulla would clash with the Asylum stage outfits' general "Vegas showgirl on drugs" look. It's a complete copy-paste of the black version with the exception that this one looks to be fitted with EMG's from day one. Notice the wear marks in the last pic

In this video you can see Gene Simmons playing on his signature Gibson G2 Thunderbird

One of the few photos of Gene Simmons playing a Fender bass with Kiss. Made in October 22, 1974. East Lansing, MI The Brewery Promoter: In-house / Boogie Bill Smith Reported audience: ~1,000 **SOLD-OUT

Gene Simmons performs on stage at the 1st Annual Rocktoberfest At L.A. LIVE Kick-Off Party held on the L.A. Live Plaza on October 15, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

In this music video you can see Gene Simmons with his signature Speϲtסr Brooklyn SB-1 Bass

From Sweetwater’s description: Gibson Custom's Gene Simmons EB-0 is a limited-edition re-creation of arguably his most elusive instrument: the heavily modded 1959 Gibson EB-0 played at the tail end of Kiss's summer '76 tour, during The Paul Lynde Halloween Special, and on the band's winter 1976/77 tour.