Axe Bass
Encyclopedia
The axe bass is a bass guitar
which is visually designed in similarity to that of an axe
. This design is (though rare) highly prized among bass players usually in hard rock
and heavy metal
music. Some electric guitars
have also sported the axe design though they are moderately popular and sometimes discredited. Since its creation the axe bass has been highly desired, very expensive, and a very rare prize among guitar shops and music stores.
is to be credited with the "axe" design. In 1978 Gene was searching for a new bass guitar
that would either blend in or stand out from his garish make up and costume, would be a good trademark, and would show his philosophy of how a bass should be handled - like a weapon. After garnering enough wealth from touring with his band KISS
, Gene went to renowned luthier
"Steve Carr" to build the first prototype of the axe bass and then the popular bass itself. Since then the axe bass has been a running trademark for KISS.
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
which is visually designed in similarity to that of an axe
Axe
The axe, or ax, is an implement that has been used for millennia to shape, split and cut wood; to harvest timber; as a weapon; and as a ceremonial or heraldic symbol...
. This design is (though rare) highly prized among bass players usually in hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
music. Some electric guitars
Electric Guitars
Electric Guitars were formed early in 1980 by Neil Davenport and Richard Hall who were both studying English at Bristol University. The band soon increased to a five-man line-up, with Andy Saunders , Matt Salt and Dick Truscott , they also later added two backing singers: Sara and Wendy...
have also sported the axe design though they are moderately popular and sometimes discredited. Since its creation the axe bass has been highly desired, very expensive, and a very rare prize among guitar shops and music stores.
Origin
Rock legend Gene SimmonsGene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
is to be credited with the "axe" design. In 1978 Gene was searching for a new bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
that would either blend in or stand out from his garish make up and costume, would be a good trademark, and would show his philosophy of how a bass should be handled - like a weapon. After garnering enough wealth from touring with his band KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Gene went to renowned luthier
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
"Steve Carr" to build the first prototype of the axe bass and then the popular bass itself. Since then the axe bass has been a running trademark for KISS.