Guitar Kisstory: Paul Stanley

This is part one of a new series in which I go through the guitars used by the members of Kiss. This episode focuses on Paul Stanley.
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#kiss #paulstanley #guitars

[@glengamble526]

I played in the Kiss tribute band Alive (from Canada) and we did some shows opening for Kiss on the convention tour. We also helped load in and set up the displays in couple of the cities on that tour, when local hired loaders failed to show etc. In doing so, I got to unload and play Paul’s mirrored Iceman and black Flying V…as well as wear his fireman’s helmet (used during Firehouse) from the 70’s. A huge thrill, to be sure.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

That's really cool!

[@peachmelba1000]

Probably impossible to remember, but was it you guys I saw at the Village Gate in Halifax, around 1999? It was notable because "Ace" ate four hits of white blotter in the course of the first two songs, and they played like a maniac for the next two hours lol

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

WOW! VERY Cool!

[@Saybleu]

That is too 😎 cool!!!!!!🤘

[@mattskustomkreations]

@@peachmelba1000Sounds like the real Ace. 😅😅😅

[@mr.c8033]

Your research and delivery is impeccable.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Thank you!

[@leokimvideo]

There's a new 2024 Video on Gibson YT channel that looks into some incredible Paul Stanley guitars, especially his 70's stuff. Your correct Paul used the Steinberger guitars at a time when he was having health issues, he needed a light guitar onstage. This is exposed in Paul's book but semi glossed over so you need to join the dot's yourself. You do notice his mobility onstage starts to decline during the 90's, it's also the time period when his voice begins to break down. His vocal peak was around the 88 tour era. By the time the 2000's came around Paul was at times really struggling vocally. Paul's guitar playing has always been amazing, he's a great guitarist who's often overshadowed by whoever is on lead guitar.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

I know! I watched it the other night! I was really happy to see he got that double neck back.

[@savvasmichael]

Now that was concise ! Love it. The small stints here and there .

[@desmondsunstrum6260]

Wow, Well done. Clean, simple and well researched. Too many KZbinrs try to add unnecessary sound and visual fx that are so distracting from the content. I would like to know more about the bridge choices. Paul seemed set on fixed bridges for years - then suddenly around the BC Rich period I see floating/locking whammy bars - which would have effected Paul's rhythm playing.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

I imagine he was just being part of the times with the whammy bars. Even Ace put a whammy bar on a Les Paul at the time. And some of the 80s Kiss material featured whammy stuff in the rhythm playing like Tears Are Falling.

[@richardjohnson7880]

Excellent video. So many guitars I'd forgotten. Great job.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Thank you so much!

[@burresseffects]

Wow man...this is a true jewel in the rough of a video. Thank you for making it!

[@daavory7991]

The Fireman is a one-of-a-kind custom-made guitar that he played during 2019 to 2021 for God of Thunder, Psycho Circus and Let me go Rock'n'Roll and it was gifted to Edge's and Bob Ezrins Music-Rising charity and then auctioned.

[@RobBluth]

Exceptionally good video, Sean! Thanks for sharing your research!

[@tysonmielke7427]

Great job on breaking that down. I've always been curious what he used for Heaven's On Fire!

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Yeah, I always assumed it was some crazy BC Rich. No idea it was a Hamer.

[@bjrnsjohnsen1278]

Wow! The level of detail here is stunning! Thanks for making this, I really enjoyed it.. and safe to say, I will re-watch it countless times.

[@martinlegovich]

Great video man!! I absolutely LOVE the Washburn "Preacher", one of the three most beautiful guitars Paul ever played.

[@PaulStanley-xu8yl]

Thanks for following me and thanks for being a fan of mine.

[@DunmoresMovieMania]

This is so fucken awesome! I seriously didn't think I'd be this interested and entranced with this kisstory of guitars played by Paul. You've done an amazing research job!

[@markusmerbach8516]

That was really interesting content ! I can see how much love and dedication you put in-thanks!

[@vicesquadpunk]

I touched and strummed one of the mirror Ibanez backstage at KISS in London's Wembley Arena. I had an original Ibanez PS10 I bought around 1979 and live to regret selling it 😳

[@anthonyjohnson9088]

Great video Sean...keep up the great work.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

About what Hasselberger said on the creation of the Mirror ball iceman and the sanding smooth of the sharp edges, Paul himself said that Hasselberger missed a few spots and that he ripped his arm open a couple of times during the first times he used that guitar live. He bled for his art for real.

[@donmurray8632]

Paul Stanley BLEEDS rock and roll! A true rockstar!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

@@donmurray8632 Yeah, he truly SHREDS!

[@auntjenifer7774]

0:46 that les paul custom paul had was a very early 1952 or 1953 Custom with p90 bridge and alnico 5 staple top in the neck. 🫠 That's like my dream guitar.

[@AlmostReady504]

Fantastic that you did this. Fantastic I could have sworn Paul and Ace played the intro to Rock Bottom on one of Paul's double necks

[@georgekokkos5347]

Can’t believe you made me watch the whole video from start to finish. Great job!

[@heyjarrod]

Awesome, man! I remember that cracked mirror guitar was one of the first guitars of his that really made a huge impression on me as a kid. They were showing some kind of live footage, must’ve been around 1980, probably when HBO was just getting started. They played some great old KISS stuff. I should know the years by now, but I got the records out of order when I was so young, I lump them all together. Ha ha. Really enjoying this video, looking forward to finishing it. I got to get into work right now. 🤘🏻🎸🇺🇸

[@praktikalnurse504]

Talk about a walk down memory lane! 😃👍🦬🦅🪶 I own 2 Iceman guitars, one is rhe IC-50 from 1979 and I mowed a lot of lawns as a young teenager to pay for it, the other being one of PS models when I got a better job than mowing lawns. 😄😄 The other is the Washburn that resembles the Iceman I bought in Austin, Texas from a now defunct chain of guitar/PA stores. It has been too many years to remember the name of the place, but I will never forget the music!

[@paulscountry456]

Paul has great taste in guitars...

[@leifpaul]

well...I disagree ,for the most part ..quality aside , most of them looked hideous

[@paulscountry456]

@@leifpaul lol,maybe,I liked the Japan PS Ibanez series, just super quality as you say....

[@TheMmfam]

Well done. Really enjoyed this!

[@stevew6910]

Cracked Mirror will always be my favorite , That original should be put in a museum one day or actioned off for charity , Starting bid 200K

[@stevew6910]

A cracked mirror flag guitar would be kick arse

[@JasonBenesh]

I can trace my love of hard rock/heavy metal to Paul's rhythm guitar on the S/T album. That crushing guitar is my baseline.

[@centaurus5676]

Can you do a Wigsstory ? Showing the wigs starting from 1989 when Paul started wearing them?

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Lol. That would be hilarious.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Wow, I have been a fan of the pan since the 70s, although I stopped getting into the band when they took the make up of, but I had no idea about a lot of these guitars that Paul used. Pretty amazing homework you did, young man!

[@patricklennox9572]

I am forgetting my source, but learned that the black Gibson flying V with the white pickguard is the same one with the mirror pickguard. Paul simply didn't use the neck pickup, so he replaced the pickguard, which coved the neck pickup cavity. I play guitar today because of the guitar. Paul played it on the Paul Lind Halloween special in 1976. I was hooked.

[@quxill]

SUCH an awesome video thank you for this series

[@chrisdunnettmusic]

I have to say this was absolutely fascinating! Thanks so much for doing this. I think the Ibanez PS cracked mirror will always be the "proverbial" Paul guitar but this video was a very cool history lesson. I guess he never recovered the stolen Guitars?

[@johnnyswitchblade13]

Just came across this. Nicely done!

[@SEBBY_SHREDZ_BOI]

Great video man! My first real electric guitar (that I still have to this day) was the Washburn PS80, I have never seen any photos or videos of Paul ever using it save for promo images, it was actually a great playing guitar from the beginning but since I’ve modded the hell out of it it plays even better.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

I have one of those too!

[@alejandroblanco2071]

This audiovisual piece it's so satisfactory 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@codacreator6162]

Interesting. As a long-time KISS fan, I admit I didn’t notice HALF the guitar changes Paul went through. I do suspect that while Gene doesn’t seem to have changed brands as often, he did change bass designs a few times. Pretty sure he plays his Punisher bass almost exclusively when he’s not rocking his axe bass. Meanwhile, Ace has always stuck with Gibson LPs - but I’ll bet he has dozens of them from striped, lighted NY Groove to smoke-potted and signature LPs. Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[@hellboundrubber4448]

I usually hate vids like these w people trying to own it as if they were there or in the band, but this was very interesting and well done presentation. You were just as curious as we were. 0 ego. Thanks.

[@danielbauer9027]

I had hoped to see the hologram foil-wrapped B.C .Rich, that, as I recall, was about the same shape as the leopard skin one, that melted my face while on LSD at a show on either the Animalize or Asylum tour in Baltimore, MD, I. can't.remember which,

[@flex_007]

Awesome video 🎸👍

[@RockandrollNegro]

12:23 The guitar Paul is playing here is a Gretsch Electromatic with Gretsch Adjusto-Matic vibrato. I don't know where it came from, but my assumption is that it was chosen by the cinematographer for its color. (The first thing you learn in compositional color of cinematography is that if it's too dark, just add orange to instantly brighten the set.) If you'll notice, the band is all in black leather, playing black instruments, against a night backdrop. In comparison, Stanley is wearing a red/blue Confederate flag shirt and is playing a bright orange Gretsch. It was probably rented or purchased specifically to add a pop of color in an otherwise dark setting. (Same reason you see so many actual oranges in movies like _The Godfather,_ which is to offset the darkness.

[@aisforapple2494]

Great video! Very informative and can't wait to watch the rest!

[@jameshughes6049]

This guitar Kisstory series videos you made are awesome bro.

[@tarasbulba3190]

Love the photo of Paul sleeping with himself @ 4:39. How appropriate.

[@lassel1644]

Then this never ending discussion about handwired pickups or machine wired pickups.. there is a certain aura or coolness about pickups being handwired...like that craftmanship thing... But hey ! A computer controlled machine wired pickup is of course a way better option...

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

Great video!! I like the Black Flying V with white pick guard from Alive tour, super cool V :)

[@eddykidd]

Great videos Sean!!

[@ssolo8]

Nice work. You took me on a tour of my life. Thank you!

[@kevingriffin8854]

This was a good watch. Always wondered why he switched around.

[@OtherMike5000]

THIS is why KZbin was invented!! EXCELLENT WORK!!

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Thank you so much! That’s very kind.

[@mariek6993]

i loved paul's leopard eagle but the paint swash eagle was really cool too. i had a buddy that ordered a version of that guitar with a kahler whammy.

[@PaulStanley-xu8yl]

Thanks for following me and thanks for being a fan of mine.😊

[@wesleycross3469]

Wow. Your knowledge and presentation exceptional.. i know nothing about guitars and still found this extremely interesting.. this seems your destiny,, to tell us about stars and guitars...

[@Nickk81]

Great vid and series

[@christianvenzais6709]

awesome stuff cant wait for next week!

[@sockneman]

Awesome series

[@theknightofhyrule]

I don’t know if you have this planned but I would love to see a drum kisstory. I feel like that would be really interesting

[@williambroadstreet3353]

One of if not his fave guitars a Flying V was stolen when he stayed in LA and that night he went to a party/orgy. He's always missed that guitar.

[@gilmourishofficial]

Awesome stuff! I think Bruce mentioned in one of his videos that Paul repainted the BC Rich Eagle leopard black around 1985 prior to Asylum, which would be the black with colour stripes and later the all black. Paul got a new copy of the leopard for the 2016 Kiss Kruise.

[@pourkeehablakeencha4585]

4 minutes in....WHOA- you did your research man! O.K....back to the vid. Well done!

[@markglew60]

I have some info on some Paul Stanley guitars , but will have to post later because of time constraints .

[@MarceloRomero360]

Wow! You did a great job! Very detailed.👍

[@TheIntimidat3r]

Actually KISS did tour for Music from the Elder, but ticket sales were so dismal that the tour was cancelled only after a few dates. The tour for Creatures of the Night was a little more successful, but only overseas. Most U.S. concerts were cancelled due to lack of ticket sales.

[@MrZerosRememberWhen]

The "White Flying V" was a Philip J. "Doc" Petillo hand-made in his shop in New Jersey. Doc went on to design guitars for Kramer including the "Neck" for Gene's AX Bass. Paul bought the "White V" from Petillo in Fall 1974. Paul Stanley then bought a 1963 Tobacco Sunburst Reversed Firebird from Kenny Rardin then in Utah late 1974 (now has a Shop in St.Paul, MN). Paul's father's shop eventually painted this Firebird black (check San Fran 75 video). Stanley was so impressed with Kenny Rardin, Paul gave the "White V" to Kenny Rardin. In Summer 1983 Rardin gave ME the strap off of the "White V" in Moorehead, MN. I own it to this day. Rardin sold the "White V" in 1977 for a large sum of money. The "White V" had re-hand wound (by Larry DiMarrizo) Guild Pick-ups. Sorry these are The Facts ... you like facts don't cha. MrZerr0 aka (The StarChild of KISSin Time MPLS, who has a "White V" Made by Kenny Rardin, who once owned the Original.

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Very cool info

[@kimrice394]

Legit research and presentation!!! 4:53 Most Rock N Roll picture ever! Paul was always as much about the music as their image. He was a true Rocker! Through and through. The truest to the band and his vision of it. Later Bruce Kulick was a major partner in making the music.

[@insin5905]

Thanks for the great KISS guitars videos. Very well researched. Do you have plans for a KISS amp(s) video?

[@ThomasSlayer]

Great work

[@angelvogel7184]

The gibson firebird was bought from the guitar tech before 1974, also he bought a double cutaway les paul style guitar from him becouse he made custom cuality guitars. The gibson firebird whas painted black in the forniture plant where his dad worked at.

[@florenciocarve]

Great resume, my friend! Paul also used a rare B.C. Rich Warlock in zebra finish, at some point during the Lick it up tour. Here´s a link to check it out. Regards.

[@1968spikey]

where's the link???

[@saynnoem]

Great episode!! 🤘

[@MrMike-fm8bp]

Very well done !

[@ColtsfaninVegas]

Based on the headstock, the guitar at the hide your heart portion of this video I believe is a Guild.

[@jarilaitala7062]

Thanks ❤

[@billyf2833]

Son! You did your homework! Awesome video.

[@f.d.english5080]

I like the Green B.C. Rich the best. I would look at that thing for hours in Metal Edge. Three different color tuning pegs and other hardware color changes. I always wondered about the lower horn being broke off and back on with added metal strips. Think that was cut on purpose? Like to know the story on that

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

This is a brilliant idea

[@chrisretro81]

Really informative, great work!

[@SeanBlumenshine]

Major kudos to axeology.com which was an incredibly valuable resource making this video.

[@paganjay1085]

This was fun! And yeah, I was baffled by the Silvertone endorsement too!

[@jeffreycorduroy759]

It’s called money. The stage USA models were amazing.

[@AQMusic10]

This was awesome.

[@daavory7991]

Very cool video !

[@alk3myst]

cool vid man, good luck with your channel.

[@Cruiseangel72]

Fantastic video!!!

[@benwright6330]

..the Starfire Firebird, ..I bought a factory cut body from someone who worked for Washburn at the time those were being produced. He had taken 2 of the left over bodies from some left over parts after they had after discontinued making that model. It's alot similar to a Gibson firebird. This one never had any finish on it but it does have all the body routes for pickups, control cavity and neck pocket. It's made of some dark wood, looks like mahogany. I wanted a Gibson but felt they were too heavy and couldn't afford one. This is really alot lighter. One of these days I'll put a really nice playin' neck on it, or may just sell it as is.

[@Cruiseangel72]

Wow. Wow.... I love this video it was fantastic! Can't wait for the demons. Axs's

[@ottomattix86]

The fire bird is sick.

[@scottsunders]

So great!

[@f3uibeghardt522]

Dimebag went to Washburn in maybe 1994-95. He also used Randall amps. Then you see Paul join Washburn and Randall. Dime had a cracked mirror version of his D3, too. Obviously, Pantera were massive KISS fans, so I can only assume there was some sort of connection there.

[@Rogero1]

Thank you, i loved this :)

[@scottclark7592]

good job, keep up the good work.

[@jfoquendo]

Well done !

[@mooch514]

People think kiss just plays whatever guitars or drums. They know what they like and want to use ...custom designs by the guys in the band

[@marcopala5165]

I wonder to know more about the white Flying V (black pickguard) played by Paul in 1974.

[@toddmorrissey8372]

"However, Paul had plans to switch teams." Yep. We know aaalllllll about it.

[@TheAustralianHealthShow]

How many shows do you think Kiss did all up your knowledge is amazing here

[@Flooblecrank]

This would be fun to do with Joe Perry and Billy Gibbons. Great stuff. Subbed.

[@pablobarbosa2927]

Superb video keep em coming 🤘🤘🤘😎🍻

[@RikJSmith]

Hi Sean . I realize this Video is a few years old but I'm hoping you see my comment sometime . First , what an AMAZING VIDEO you created for all of us . I'm instantly hooked on anything to do with Guitars . So I was definitely interested immediately . You said you really like the White Washburn PS Preacher Guitar . That's probably one of the Coolest Guitars I've ever seen !! So we have the same taste in Guitars . The second thing I'd like to mention is I would Love it if could do the same thing with all the Guitar Amps down through the years . That would be SO Cool Sean ! And the last suggestion is , have you ever thought about doing Quick Guitar Lessons on your Channel ? For example , here's how to play the Chorus of " Larger Than Life " . Is that something you might have time to do occasionally ? I mean , just basic KISS Songs you'd definitely be helping me out . But anyway , hope you're doing well and staying safe . 🎸

[@SeanBlumenshine]

I appreciate the kind words. Amps could be a fun thing to do. As for lessons, I’m very self conscious about my playing so I don’t think so.

[@RikJSmith]

@@SeanBlumenshine Ok . I get the playing thing cuz I feel the same way . But if you do the Amps down through the years if and when you have time I'll be the first one to hit Like . I've been a Subscriber for a long time . Thanks for responding so quickly Sean . Take care Dude .

[@willchew4040]

great interesting video

[@samright4661]

Correction Kiss wasn’t Signed with Gibson . Paul Stanley was signed with Gibson ..

[@mistysprxgeny]

I'm not sure what brand he used but in the footage from Atlanta in 1996 he used a Flying V guitar for Strutter.

[@lassel1644]

This video is pretty cool.

[@IAmAndrewSwan]

The statement about the “Carr Star” being not used live is incorrect, Paul used the guitar in Perth (Australia) as seen on clips from “countdown”

[@SeanBlumenshine]

I thought those were lip synced?

[@jeffbear3075]

@@SeanBlumenshine You are correct.