Gibson Custom Shop Gene Simmons EB0

[Basvarken]

I've been using Dunlop Max-Grip 1.5 for years.




They are perfect for me.
Not too stiff. But certainly not floppy.
The profile makes sure they don't rotate in your hand.
And they last forever.

[uwe]

I somehow need triangular ones because I grip with thumb (one side), index and middle finger (the other side).

How uncool, I know. But I lose the pick if I just use thumb and index even though I have a light touch. I fret hard, but pick lightly.

[Dave W]

I've seen more local guys using Tortex .88s than any other pick.

My first choice is the Pickboy Edge (carbon-nylon) in the 1.14 thickness.

[uwe]

This kinda belongs here ...

[gearHed289]

This kinda belongs here ...

Man, that thing sounds and looks great. I always loved the original Lobue bass. I thought it was a Gibson for years, especially after his modded EB-0 appeared. I've seen a few replicas on TB ranging from "OK" to very nice.

[uwe]

Frankly, I prefer Gene with a Ripper, Grabber or Punisher visually - he's too tall and large-framed (especially with all that armor) for a short scale, it looks like a toy on him.

[morrow]

I thought that was the point.

[uwe]

Naw, I think he liked shorties for their less distinct, fuzzy, smearing tone - he was never into a really clean signal, even at a time when clean bass signals ruled.

In interviews he has said that he really doesn't like non-symmetrical bass shapes such as Fenders, Rics and I guess then TBirds also, he prefers doublecuts (his Punisher is really just a sleeker and elongated Grabber shapewise). His Axe basses are obviously an exception from the rule for show purposes, but has he ever played a whole gig just using the Axe?

But then Gene has never been that particular about his gear, which in my world speaks rather for than against him. I shake my heads at people who let the color of the pick determine whether they can get "their" sound or not.



PS: Goes to show how a Fender P looks crap even on the mighty God of Thunder in full regalia!

PPS: Get that stare right ...

[slinkp]

Thin picks for me! I like to get my arm into it, something's got to give.  I've been using the orange 0.63mm Dunlop tortex picks for so long that anything else feels weird. Bonus, the orange color makes them easy to spot / harder to lose, and I have never once broken one.

[westen44]

I prefer Dunlop .96 by far over anything else.  I can't stand anything thicker than that or thinner. 

[uwe]

I can't stand anything thicker than that or thinner.

Now you're beginning to sound like a woman!

[patman]

I use 2 Dunlop Tortoiseshell finger picks and 1 Dunlop Tortoise thumbpick...

Same as if I'm playing guitar or banjo...

[ilan]

he's too tall and large-framed (especially with all that armor) for a short scale, it looks like a toy on him.

What if he played guitar?

[Ken]

What if he played guitar?

He'd look like Tiny Tim?

[uwe]

But could hold his own musically. I've always said that he is an old-fashioned rock'n'roller at heart (it shows in his bass lines):



He's played guitar on his solo albums and - uncredited - even Kiss albums too. He once said that "if something needs to sound meaty and hulking on guitar, I get called to play it". He continued that "Kiss aren't obsessed with who plays what on record as long as it does the job", there are lots of Kiss recordings with Paul, Ace or Bruce playing bass on individual tracks.