Last year, Gibson and Gene Simmons joined forces to create the G² Thunderbird bass guitar. This marked Simmons’ inaugural signature guitar with Gibson, following their partnership announcement in 2021. At that time, they revealed plans to collaborate on various G² models spanning various Gibson Brands, including Epiphone and Kramer.
Now, the two parties have renewed their partnership for another signature four-string instrument, but it’s not a G² this time. Simmons’ second signature model is a limited-edition EB-0 variant, also serving as the Gibson custom shop’s first 30.5″-scale bass guitar.
Honoring History: The Unique Features of the Gene Simmons Gibson Bass
While this might seem significant, many of Gibson’s standard bass models already feature a 30.5″ scale length, such as the SG Standard Bass and Les Paul Junior Tribute DC Bass, which shares similarities with the EB-0. Nevertheless, it’s noteworthy for a custom shop model, and the EB-0 also pays homage to the instrument Simmons played during the 1970s, a heavily modified 1959 model, which closely resembles this new 2023 creation. Simmons made several modifications to the original, including reshaping the neck, refinishing the body, relocating the pickup, adding body binding, custom pickguard installation, tuner replacement, and a high-mass bridge.
These unique characteristics are incorporated into the limited run of 100 EB-0 basses, making it the custom shop’s first mass-produced bass model.
The bass features a double-cut mahogany body finished in Ebony with single-ply white binding, a “Gene Simmons 1959 EB-0″ neck profile, and a 12”-radius Indian rosewood fretboard. It also includes a Corian nut, acrylic dot inlays, and 20 low-profile frets. Other components comprise Grover Mini Bass tuning machines, a Kluson High Mass bridge (which can be top- or through-body-loaded), a black four-ply pickguard, and a truss rod cover embossed with “Gene.” Sound is generated by a single SG Bass pickup closer to the bridge, with master volume and tone controls.
The bass comes with a custom hard case and a selection of case candy, including a tin of signature guitar picks. It’s an elegant bass in its own right, likely to appeal to bass enthusiasts regardless of their interest in Kiss.
However, since the EB-0 is a limited custom shop model and a signature guitar, it comes with a price tag of $6,499. For more details, visit the Gibson website.
