Axe Bass

The axe bass is a bass guitar which is visually designed in similarity to that of an axe. This design is highly prized among bass players usually in hard rock and Heavy [metal music|heavy metal] music. Some electric guitars have also sported the axe design though they are moderately popular and sometimes discredited. Since its creation, the axe bass has been highly desired, very expensive, and a very rare prize among guitar shops and music stores.
The axe bass has also been associated with Marceline the [Vampire Queen], whose bass is very literally made out of a battle axe.

Origin

Rock musician Gene Simmons is to be credited with the "axe" design. In 1978, Simmons 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, Simmons approached Valdez Guitars to build his first axe bass. Since then, the axe bass has been a running trademark for Kiss.
In 2012, Simmons commissioned Jim Cara to develop a chrome and gold plating process for the AXE and Punisher project. As of 2013, the Chrome models are available for purchase by high-end Kiss collectors.