Neptune Township, New Jersey

Kramer Guitars

Metal, wood
1980
Length: 42 in, Width: 14.5 in, Depth: 1.5 in
Strings – Lutes – Guitars

Kramer Aluminum Gene Simmons Axe Bass KISS  1980 Black & Gray Autographed by Gene Simmons and numbered w/OHSC, Serial No. 15155

This is one of first Gene Simmons (KISS) signed Axe Basses made available to the public.  There was suppose to be 1,000 total instruments released, which is why his signature under the clear coat on the blade is numbered ”83 / 1,000.”   A falling out between Simmons and Kramer resulted in only 200 instruments being made, 175 bass and 25 six string guitars, in 1980.  This is number ‘83’ of the 175 basses produced.  This bass has an aluminum neck with an adjustable aluminum nut and zero fret, the “Ebanol” fingerboard and a DiMarzio pickup.

KISS is an American rock band formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss. Well known for its members’ face paint and stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid–late 1970s with its shocking live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood-spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets, levitating drum kits, and pyrotechnics. The band has gone through several lineup changes, with Stanley and Simmons being the only members to feature in every lineup. Resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_(band)