Washburn V Kiss Paul Stanley
Washburn V Kiss Paul Stanley
We’ve had the privilege of working regularly with KISS, the legendary band that pioneered the over-the-top rock concert experience. This Washburn V was acquired directly from the one and only Paul Stanley during the 14th edition of Hellfest in 2019. The “Starchild” himself played this guitar extensively on stage from 2009 to 2019, before handing it over to us in person at the festival.
This legendary instrument is based on Paul Stanley’s original Gibson Flying V, but customized to the exact specs requested by the man himself. True to Stanley’s minimalist style, the guitar is equipped with just one pickup — a powerful Seymour Duncan Class 5 — delivering raw, unfiltered tone. But it wouldn’t be a KISS guitar without some glam flair: the iconic mirror pickguard, echoing the sparkle and shine of KISS’s Dynasty era (think “I Was Made for Lovin’ You”), reflected the stage lights for an entire decade of massive stadium shows. A truly dazzling piece of rock history.
Paul Stanley
(1952)
Band: Kiss
Main guitar: Washburn Signature
Must-hear track: Love Gun
In the United States, Kiss is far more than just a band — it’s a religion, a cultural phenomenon of epic proportions (even former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a member of the legendary Kiss Army). Every American seems to have a Kiss story: how they first heard the band’s music, how they dressed up as Starchild or Demon for Halloween, or how hearing Kiss inspired them to pick up an instrument for the first time.
The band members basically invented the pyrotechnic rock show, and their mastery of merchandising could put even the most money-minded manager to shame.
The two founders, Gene Simmons (bass/vocals) and Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar/vocals), are the cornerstone of the group. They were there in 1973 and remain present even now on yet another farewell tour. Together, they’re a Lennon and McCartney of hard rock, with a knack for writing timeless hits. Paul Stanley has the higher-pitched, more blues-infused voice of the two, with a tone that’s instantly recognizable. His guitar playing is straightforward, but he possesses the secret weapon every rock guitarist dreams of: a right hand built for riffs, powerful enough to get an entire stadium stomping along. Ace Frehley may have been the flashy soloist, but Stanley commands the stage with his charisma and the thunderous Marshall-driven sound of his guitars.
Over the years, Paul has built an impressive collection, including a few Bursts that he reserves exclusively for the studio. On stage, he was first seen with the Ibanez Iceman — a model still closely associated with him — before switching to Washburn, which now produces his excellent signature models. Platform boots not included, but highly recommended.
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