Steve Carr
Rock musician Gene Simmons is to be credited with the "axe" design. In 1978, Gene was searching for a new bass guitar that would either "blend in" or "stand out from" his garish make up and costume, would be a good trademark, and would show his philosophy of how a bass should be handled - like a weapon. After garnering enough wealth from touring with his band KISS, Gene went to renowned luthier Steve Carr to build the first prototype of the axe bass and then the popular bass itself. Since then, the axe bass has been a running trademark for KISS.