Tommy Thayer | Kiss | Live Gear Breakdown

As the lead guitarist for the legendary rock band KISS, Tommy Thayer's career in music has been even more than a dream come true. With the NYC music icons embarking on their final tour of the globe, Guitar Interactive Magazine chats with Tommy at the band's London show at the O2 for an exclusive interview, and a close-up look at his touring rig.
Subscribe to our channel for more from Guitar Interactive TV plus all the latest news and reviews from the magazine.
Check out this month's free Issue at www.guitarinter...

[@guydouglas6094]

Good interview. Tommy T is quite an interesting, likeable guy in an industry of big egos ...........

[@thegefster1988]

I remember seeing this skinny guy in high school walking down the hall with his guitar in case. Peter Frampton from behind I thought. It was Tom Thayer. Did not know him personally but everyone liked him. So happy for him and he is a nice person and has done very nice things for many people. His dad was an amazing person. Read about him. Congratulations on your success!

[@billyrouse4813]

Tommy is a class act. I worked with him a bit back in 2004 on his website.

[@Vahnchelsea]

Poor Tommy, always get a lot of hatred from Kiss's veteran fans. I'm a fans of both Ace and Tommy and both of them rocks within their own way.

[@taywear1887]

👌

[@marleesuarez7162]

Exactly. Both Tommy and Ace play the parts very well. I don’t know why people hate Tommy so much.

[@thedragonzord_]

Tommy gets alot of hate. But dude is solid. Night in and night out. Solos sound absolutely roaring. Wish Ace was still there, but I've lost hope.

[@nealtouchet5028]

I named my son after him he is that likeable...

[@irvan36mm]

Not Ace, but an awesome guitarist in his own right. His work in Black ‘n Blue is iconic. He probably wouldn’t get so much flak if Gene & Paul gave him and Eric their own Kiss persona, rather than make them Ace & Peter clones. But...,that’s how Kiss rolls. It’s show business.

[@jeffhodge7272]

And. He donates a LOT of money to music programs in and around the Portland,Or.area where he's from.And with KISS is involved with The Wounded Warriors project. Good guy indeed.

[@lonewolf1053]

He is a professional doing a job and he is awesome at it..

[@rahjr4017]

He only gets hate from the people who love Ace. I don’t think it is fair. I firmly believe Tommy would wipe the floor with Ace when it comes to both feel and technique. He is a good guy and great player.

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

I’m a Kiss die hard from the 70’s. Just saw them last night. I love Tommy. He’s great and he’s been integral with keeping KISS going in the 21st century. And this is coming from someone who plays guitar largely because of Ace Frehley.

[@shadysconscience5294]

❤ love his personality

[@frankcarty]

I love when guitarists take the time to do these rig run downs, instead of getting their roadies to do them. Tommy is a class act, really likeable guy.

[@JRP3music]

I have the Gibson Flying V that was same model, that Bruce played in the "Unholy" video from Revenge. 24 frets reverse diamond inlays. I modified mine to have Humbucking single coil sized neck and middle pickups, 5 way switch, and on/off toggle switch single volume. Love that rocket V!

[@mr.burnardo4030]

Sir Thayer, thanks 4ever!!!! 😍

[@NightWarriorAlive]

Fantastic interview! It was great to see all of the guitars that Tommy plays on this tour. And by the way, you can also purchase a miniature Tommy guitar at the merchandise booth at every KISS show.

[@OrangeBearRecords]

My idol! I own both a white lightning explorer and electric blue les paul, and recently aquired on of his awesome Hughes and Kettner signature amps like in this video! He's the man who inspired me to pick up the guitar when I first discovered KISS years ago, in the same way Ace did for so many in the 70s. I absolutley love Ace, but Tommy will always be my favourite for that reason. 🤘🏻🔥

[@craigpetterson3962]

What a great interview. Great gear show and explanation as well. Tommy is a genuinely nice guy from all the interviews I've seen. Subbed GI as well. Thanks.

[@ferox965]

Been a KISS fan since 1980. Thayer is solid and gets the job done. He's great.

[@berndhandeler6159]

Yes thommy are so great i was kiss fan since 1975 kiss i love you 😍😍😍😍😍

[@fabiennehuse2080]

Tommy is such a down to earth nice guy. He is kind,polite and a really good person and friend. I will always treasure his friendship

[@jimlutz1290]

MEMPHIS 2019 - AWESOME Show - Tommy brings it every time I've seen him. . .

[@belle.m]

Love Tommy Thayer. He doesn’t deserve the hate. He was there when Ace was unreliable and was not loyal to the band or the fans. So much respect for Tommy. Saw KISS recently and my 12yr old daughter wants to take up guitar because she saw Tommy play. She idolises him.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

Some fans don't know how to appreciate Tommy's style of playing.

[@boatingforbeginners7949]

What a lovely guy.. Great interview and fab questions too.. Thoroughly enjoyable

[@HughesandKettneramps]

Top interview guys! Tommy's the best :)

[@patrickvassallo4538]

Fake!

[@ghchorizito6166]

@@patrickvassallo4538 shtfup 🤣

[@user-eu3mn6ss5l]

Thumbs up. From what I've been told, Tommy is a super nice guy in person. I'm super happy for him, and he's obviously a really good player. But there's a small part of me that thinks he ought to play one of his Epi's on stage for a song or two - I think it wouldn't hurt Gibson sales, and it'd be a source of pride for those who buy the Epiphone model. They're not cheap - they're not Gibson crazy ass high prices, but they're not cheap. If they are very close to the Gibsons, why not play one on stage for a song or two?

[@user-eu3mn6ss5l]

ALSO, I've seen KISS with Ace, who is one of my heroes, and Tommy is a cleaner player. But Ace was the original and to some Tommy will always be Fake Ace. Well... he kinda is, but most of us would love to be in his shoes.

[@edgeworth7750]

budgetguitarist.com I’m pretty certain Tommy has played all of his signatures on stage

[@jameshughes6049]

He does play it for a song or 2 onstage. I saw the End of the road tour twice in the NYC area & he played it both times.

[@user-eu3mn6ss5l]

@@jameshughes6049 Yes, I have heard that since 7 months ago when I made that post. Major props to Tommy for playing the Epi's on stage!!!

[@joelpatinodrummer]

Badass interview

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Very nice, beautiful !

[@johnbarden2161]

Tommy can play both the 70s era stuff and the unmasked era stuff well. Loved Ace back in the day, but Tommy is much more versatile IMO

[@dunnigan66]

I put clear knobs on my Tommy Thayer Sig Epiphone great guitar!!! Wish I could get mine signed!!!!

[@romainlavoie1526]

If ever Tommy would aution the prototype blue - I would offer top dollars 💵 for this fantastic instrument!!!

[@carlamongold33]

NOT A BIG KISS FAN BUT LOVE THOMY 💕 THAYER! HE HAS IT ALL

[@donfilkins298]

He's a good solid guitarist. He shows up and works hard . Haters leave him alone

[@johnlewis8527]

Kiss AcDc ZZtop All straight ahead rock

[@if6turnedouttobe9]

Right on John...

[@yearsofthesongs]

Very good video!! Guitar drummer myself

[@nigeltrueman6101]

I own both limited edition TT guitars. The les Paul is so much heavier (weight wise)

[@MrLolzieboy]

Tommy has 3 signature guitars. Spaceman/whitelightning and explorer.

[@nigeltrueman6101]

@@MrLolzieboy yes I'm aware of the silver sparkle and now of course the blue metallic

[@MrLolzieboy]

@@nigeltrueman6101 Are you going to buy it? I'm not sure what to do.

[@sal9014]

I have the explorer model its an absolutely killer guitar. hoping to snag the blue metallic soon!!

[@tcconnection]

Tommy is an amazing musician, quite the all-around person too (even tho he is self-deprecating). Why is the interviwer's name not in the caption?

[@GuitarInteractive]

We love Tommy. Interview was carried out by our editor-in-chief Jonathan Graham

[@billyrouse4813]

Anyone know what songs he uses the delay, flange, octave and Wah for?

[@berndhandeler6159]

Thommy a fantastic gittarplayer a cool man and a nice man yeah kiss forever😛😛😛😛

[@Andy-fn5ew]

hey man I got just one question for you what pedal did you use for this?

[@JRP3music]

They should release limited run albums and prohibit digital sales, during the period untill the physical copies run out. They sold lunch boxes, Dolls, comics and underoos. Release new music for the fans! They could still sell albums.

[@jeffgalvan9287]

Jb dont come in neck position..unless your useing a jb bridge in the neck position

[@davidmurray9193]

Would of loved the epiphone white...........a definite no go so bought the electric blue

[@rickiehacker8944]

Tommy is the best

[@terrytickler]

Fab

[@usaslakt]

Wow! Ace looks really young here...

[@LOUIS-np6be]

HERE AT HOME RITE !!!!! YEAH YEAH !!!!!😂

[@MisterTee]

Such a nice guy. It’s a shame he gets so much heat.

[@FrehleyFan3988]

I'd like to have a chrome flying v rocket launcher guitar like tommy!

[@andysalter7192]

Tommy is awesome, but I hate that Paul and Gene ( and Tommy ) say stuff like " there is no return on investment" making new music or a album, you are either a artist or not !? You shouldn't need money to inspire you to make music if your a true musician and of course Paul and Gene are , there legacy of music speaks to that , they have written some of the greatest Rock songs in Rock history! Are they not rich enough? I might understand if they were struggling artists or it was 1974 again and they didn't have a penny to rub together but why not go out with one last amazing album? Honestly it probably has more to do with Paul's voice then money, but they obviously got in the studio to make tracks for this tour ( yes , he is lip syncing) so he can do it well enough. Get Bob Ezrin or Eddie Kramer and make one last album for us hardcore nerd fans.

[@scottjohnsoltis7748]

Ace looks good without his makeup!

[@dipdungus8175]

That’s Tommy

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

@@dipdungus8175 who?

[@ghchorizito6166]

R u stpd??

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Jesus light him up camera man wtf

[@WVXL64]

Always liked Tommy Thayer. Loved Black N Blue back in the day. I just hate how Gene and Paul make him pretty much be ACE instead of his own character, like Vinny and Eric did. I wish they would let him put more of his spin on the solos like Bruce did. He could really tear it up.

[@MisterTee]

Well, it is a nostalgia show. Giving him a new character would mean you aren’t seeing the old imagery which is what KISS needs to get any real attention

[@WVXL64]

@@MisterTee sort of. The difference is fans want to see Ace and Peter, not people playing Ace and Peter. I like what Eric Carr did. He took the Fox persona, which was his own, but was very reminiscent of Peter's catman persona. It still had the classic feel, but also gave him the freedom to be his own musician. I'm not old enough to be a KISS fan from the very beginning, but I have been a fan since the late 70's, even though I was pretty young still, and I was always happy new members had different makeup.

[@Gayardddr]

No disrespect to Ace, Tommy for me.

[@davidsolinski2988]

$3,500. is much more reasonable than what Gene and Paul are charging

[@patrickfain9318]

I can’t understand why his signature model is a guitar that he doesn’t even play 🤔🤨 the guitar he actually plays costs thousands more than the signature model. I don’t get it. Why is the one he doesn’t even play the one that is the signature model 🤷🏻‍♂️🤨

[@lorenzoFCIM1908]

He does play it, he swaps between Epiphone and Gibson. Its more likely due to the stage presence that the Spaceman has. He always plays with a Gibson Les Paul

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

@@lorenzoFCIM1908 The Spaceman? Say his name, Ace Frehley

[@hawkgeoff]

Is Tommy the first cover band guitarist with their own signature model?

[@jjojo2004]

Tommy IS a MEMBER of KISS. He ain’t covering shit. 🤟😎🤟

[@hawkgeoff]

@@jjojo2004 🤣🤣🤣

[@rafaelsatriatama]

@@jjojo2004 if you know the history Tommy was a Kiss tribute band Ace in the 90s

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

@@jjojo2004 nothing except the makeup, the stage moves, the facial expressions, Shock Me, and shooting fireworks out of his guitar. Just that shit is all.

[@teleguy5699]

LOL. This video was played right shilling his Epiphone.

[@jameshughes6049]

The hate that Tommy gets is due to Paul & Gene forcing him to be an Ace clone. Tommy is a real nice guy & a solid, dependable player but lacks the soul & feel that Ace has.

[@natecannon6746]

He's not an Ace clone. He doesn't lack anything in his playing. His playing is fuckin awesome

[@jameshughes6049]

@@natecannon6746 But it's all Ace. He mimics his stage moves & his solo with shooting rockets & shit. I like Tommy but let's say it like it is, he acts & plays exactly like Ace. You'd have to be blind not to see it.

[@natecannon6746]

@@jameshughes6049 Tommy doesn't mimic any of Ace's moves. Tommy doesn't stagger or stumble like a drunk. Tommy also isn't sloppy with the solos like Ace is. Tommy doesrockets just like Ace did maybe because they play the same character? Tommy is too smooth to play like Ace. Ace is sloppy as hell. Let's say it like it is, Tommy is nothing like Ace. He's actually sober and reliable. You'd be blind not to see it.

[@jameshughes6049]

@@natecannon6746 Have you seen KISS live with Ace & Tommy? I'll take Ace any day. He has the soul, swagger & intangibles. Tommy can't match Ace's vibrato either. Bottom line...Tommy earns a living portraying someone else. You can't argue it, it's a proven fact. Same with Eric Singer. It's cool though, I like Tommy & Eric.

[@natecannon6746]

@@jameshughes6049 Yes I have seen Kiss with both. Acr was horrible on the farewell. Tommy was a much needed shot in the arm that Kiss needed. They sound much better musically with Tommy and Eric. They aren't portraying anyone, they play characters. Literally the same thing happens in Hollywood all the time. Multiple people playing the same character. What you are saying is fantasy, not a fact.

[@blizzdog3881]

Tommy...... Yes this is the gear rundown that Ace Frehley used to use who I pretend to be every night lol.

[@toneyisaiah3556]

He's not Ace Freheley.

[@donfilkins298]

Thank God

[@LOUIS-np6be]

YES ITS TOMMY AND INTERVIEW CHAP !!!!!

[@patrickthometz6365]

This is not so much a rig rundown as it is an infomercial for all Tommy Thayer signature shit. Spending all this time around Gene has rubbed off. He is now an honorary yid lol

[@chrisi123]

he always says.........nothing. always the same bla bla

[@Steve-ix2un]

Why watch him then, bitter man.

[@donfilkins298]

Like you

[@patrickvassallo4538]

FAKE!

[@GuitarInteractive]

Huh?

[@LOUIS-np6be]

YES YOU ARE SOOOOOOOO FAKE !!!!

[@kimberlypotts516]

Only thing he is a wanna be but he is okay but not Ace sorry not the same

[@sonsofguns1903]

You would think that a younger guy like Tommy Thier could play kiss songs and do them correctly without being sloppy, But this guy is just as sloppy as Ace.

[@LOUIS-np6be]

THIER IS NOT HERE !!!!!😂