Richard Kruspe-Bernstein
Encyclopedia
Richard Zven Kruspe is a German musician and the lead guitar
ist of the German industrial metal
band Rammstein
, as well as the leader of the band Emigrate. He also used to be named "Bernstein", after his South African ex-wife Caron Bernstein
. They were together for five years until separating in 2004, filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2006, after which his name reverted to Kruspe.
, he was riding through the subway. When he came above ground, he found himself in the middle of a political demonstration. He was hit on the head and arrested just for being there, and thrown in jail for six days. Once out of jail, he decided to leave East Germany. Because of the Eastern Bloc
, he entered West Germany
through Hungary
. When the Berlin Wall
came down, he moved back east of Berlin, Germany.
Rammstein was formed back in the 1990s when Richard, who lived with Oliver and Schneider at the time, was looking for a new band in which to create a new style of music.* He had left his first band, 'Orgasm Death Gimmick' in search of new band mates.
Kruspe married South African (American) actress Caron Bernstein
in 1999. The ceremony was Jewish and Kruspe composed the music for it. He took on the name Richard Kruspe-Bernstein during their marriage.
Sometime in 2001 he moved from Berlin
to New York
where he resided to live closer to his now ex-wife Caron. They separated in 2004. His name is now back to its original "Kruspe" as the divorce was finalized. In 2011 he left New York because "it is not the right environment for the next part of my life" and moved back to Berlin.
He speaks fluent English and sings in English for Emigrate.
Guitars
Richard's main instruments for touring are ESP guitars, but has used different guitars in the past.
Amplifiers/Effects/Misc
Most of the rackmounted units and pedals he uses are not listed
Note: Richard does not use a Tech 21 PSA-1.
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
ist of the German industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
, as well as the leader of the band Emigrate. He also used to be named "Bernstein", after his South African ex-wife Caron Bernstein
Caron Bernstein
Caron Bernstein , is a South African model, actress, singer/songwriter.-Career:Caron moved to New York at 14 after being approached by photographer Patsy Dunn and asked to take test photos for her portfolio. Patsy sent the results to the New York headquarters of Ford Models...
. They were together for five years until separating in 2004, filed for divorce, which was finalized in 2006, after which his name reverted to Kruspe.
Personal life
On 10 October 1989, before the fall of the Berlin WallBerlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
, he was riding through the subway. When he came above ground, he found himself in the middle of a political demonstration. He was hit on the head and arrested just for being there, and thrown in jail for six days. Once out of jail, he decided to leave East Germany. Because of the Eastern Bloc
Eastern Bloc emigration and defection
Eastern Bloc emigration and defection was a point of controversy during the Cold War. After World War II, emigration restrictions were imposed by countries in the Eastern Bloc, which consisted of the Soviet Union and its satellite states in Eastern and Central Europe...
, he entered West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
through Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. When the Berlin Wall
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin...
came down, he moved back east of Berlin, Germany.
Rammstein was formed back in the 1990s when Richard, who lived with Oliver and Schneider at the time, was looking for a new band in which to create a new style of music.* He had left his first band, 'Orgasm Death Gimmick' in search of new band mates.
Kruspe married South African (American) actress Caron Bernstein
Caron Bernstein
Caron Bernstein , is a South African model, actress, singer/songwriter.-Career:Caron moved to New York at 14 after being approached by photographer Patsy Dunn and asked to take test photos for her portfolio. Patsy sent the results to the New York headquarters of Ford Models...
in 1999. The ceremony was Jewish and Kruspe composed the music for it. He took on the name Richard Kruspe-Bernstein during their marriage.
Sometime in 2001 he moved from Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where he resided to live closer to his now ex-wife Caron. They separated in 2004. His name is now back to its original "Kruspe" as the divorce was finalized. In 2011 he left New York because "it is not the right environment for the next part of my life" and moved back to Berlin.
He speaks fluent English and sings in English for Emigrate.
Equipment
The dates show when Richard used his equipment (and studio dates) during his Rammstein Tours, in exception to the ESP Emigrate Eclipse.Guitars
Richard's main instruments for touring are ESP guitars, but has used different guitars in the past.
- ESP RZK-1 Richard Kruspe Signature Electric Guitar. (Titanium, Olympic White, Satin Black, and custom "Burnt" finish) Dropped C tuning during the Reise Reise tour, Standard, Dropped D, and Dropped C tuning for the Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da tour (2004–2005, 2008–2010) Richard also has another RZK model that has a custom paint job for the video of Ich Tu Dir WehIch tu dir weh"Ich tu dir Weh" is the second single from the 2009 album Liebe ist für alle da by the German band Rammstein. Mainly because of the sado-masochistic content of this song, the album was placed on the "index" maintained by the German Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien...
. This guitar also was also featured in the LIFAD 2009-2010 tour. - ESP/LTD RZK-600 The LTD version of the RZK-1. Richard possibly does not use this one, but it is a more affordable model of the RZK-1.
- ESP RZK-2 (2009–2010) Titanium and custom "Burnt" finish. Seen in the music video for Pussy, Based on the ESP RZK-1, with an USA EclipseESP EclipseESP Eclipse is an electric guitar model distributed by ESP.There are many different variations of the Eclipse, including the Eclipse-I, Eclipse-I CTM, Eclipse-I CTM , Eclipse-II, Eclipse-II, and Eclipse Custom. ESP also makes several models under its LTD brand that are based on the Eclipse...
body, and 24.75 inch neck, (Dropped C tuning and Standard E tuning) - ESP KH-2ESP Kirk HammettThe ESP Kirk Hammett is a range of electric guitars produced by ESP Guitars, based on the custom models of Kirk Hammett. All KH models were built by Kirk Hammett & Matt Masciandaro.-Current models:*ESP KH-1*ESP KH-2 Vintage #1...
Kirk Hammett Signature Electric Guitar (Black, Standard and Dropped D tuning) (1997–2000) - ESP KH-2ESP Kirk HammettThe ESP Kirk Hammett is a range of electric guitars produced by ESP Guitars, based on the custom models of Kirk Hammett. All KH models were built by Kirk Hammett & Matt Masciandaro.-Current models:*ESP KH-1*ESP KH-2 Vintage #1...
Kirk Hammett Signature Electric Guitar With KH-4 pick guard customization (Black with Pearl Pickguard [also a model with a mirror pickguard] Dropped C tuning before using the RZK-1, Standard, Dropped D) (2001–2005) - ESP EC-1000ESP EclipseESP Eclipse is an electric guitar model distributed by ESP.There are many different variations of the Eclipse, including the Eclipse-I, Eclipse-I CTM, Eclipse-I CTM , Eclipse-II, Eclipse-II, and Eclipse Custom. ESP also makes several models under its LTD brand that are based on the Eclipse...
Electric Guitar (See-thru Black Cherry, Dropped D) (2001–2002, 2004–2005) - ESP Custom Emigrate EclipseESP EclipseESP Eclipse is an electric guitar model distributed by ESP.There are many different variations of the Eclipse, including the Eclipse-I, Eclipse-I CTM, Eclipse-I CTM , Eclipse-II, Eclipse-II, and Eclipse Custom. ESP also makes several models under its LTD brand that are based on the Eclipse...
Electric Guitar (2007, Dropped C) (Can be seen in the music video for My World, Possibly a modded ESP TrucksterESP TrucksterESP James Hetfield "Truckster" is a guitar model distributed by ESP.The "Truckster" is also produced in a 'Ltd' version.The ESP James Hetfield Truckster Electric Guitar is the fifth Hetfield Signature Series guitar to carry his name since James and ESP joined forces in 1991...
) - ESP Eclipse CTM1ESP EclipseESP Eclipse is an electric guitar model distributed by ESP.There are many different variations of the Eclipse, including the Eclipse-I, Eclipse-I CTM, Eclipse-I CTM , Eclipse-II, Eclipse-II, and Eclipse Custom. ESP also makes several models under its LTD brand that are based on the Eclipse...
Electric Guitar (Vintage Black, Dropped C) (2004–2005) - ESP Custom MaverickESP Guitars, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
Guitar (Silver with Pearl Pickguard, Dropped D) (2002, 2004–2005) - ESP 901ESP Guitars, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
(Red Sunburst and Tobacco Sunbust) (1994 - 1998 [Cherry Sunburst] Standard/Dropped D) (1997 [Tobacco Sunburst] Standard) - ESP AW-500ESP Guitars, located in North Hollywood, California, is an American-based, Japanese-owned manufacturer of electric guitars and basses.- History :In 1975, Hisatake Shibuya opened a shop called Electric Sound Products in Tokyo. It provided custom replacement parts for guitars. In 1976, ESP gained a reputation...
Kozi SignatureKöziKözi is a Japanese musician who plays guitar, piano, keyboard and synthesizer. Közi is best known as guitarist for the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. After the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2001, he joined the industrial rock act Eve of Destiny and also started a solo career...
Electric Guitar http://www.espguitars.co.jp/artist/kozi/index.html (2002, Dropped D) - Fender StratocasterFender StratocasterThe Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
(Tobacco Sunburst) (1996, Standard) - TakamineTakamine Guitarsis a Japanese guitar manufacturer based in Nakatsugawa, Gifu, Japan. Takamine is known for its steel-string guitars.The company was founded in May 1962; in 1978 they were one of the first companies to introduce acoustic-electric models, where they pioneered the design of the preamp-equalizer...
EF341SC Acoustic Guitar (2004–2005, Dropped C) - Gibson J-200 (2009–2010), Standard D)
- Gretsch White FalconGretsch White FalconThe Gretsch White Falcon is a visually distinctive guitar commercially introduced in 1955 by Gretsch. While it has seen vast and substantial changes to its body shape and features through the years, and is currently offered in several styles, the White Falcon has always maintained a striking and...
Used for cleans on Emigrate and prop guitar in the video for "Mein Land"
Amplifiers/Effects/Misc
Most of the rackmounted units and pedals he uses are not listed
- Rath-Amp Amplifiers (Before 1995/1996)
- Mesa/Boogie 2-Channel Dual Rectifier Heads (With Voodoo Amps Platinum ModsVoodoo AmplificationVoodoo Amplification is a Lansing, New York company which designs and modifies guitar amplifiers.-History:Trace Allen Davis first went into business in the mid 1990s with a small shop in Ithaca, New York, repairing and modifying production guitar amps with his own custom circuits...
) (1995/1996{?}- 2005, 2008–2010)He owns five (5) Voodoo Amps Voodoo AmplificationVoodoo Amplification is a Lansing, New York company which designs and modifies guitar amplifiers.-History:Trace Allen Davis first went into business in the mid 1990s with a small shop in Ithaca, New York, repairing and modifying production guitar amps with his own custom circuits...
Modified 2-Channel Dual Rectifier Heads. Earliest known footage of him using Mesa/Boogie Equipment is during a Rammstein performance at the 1996 Bizarre Festival, where a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier 4x12 speaker cabinet can be seen behind him, on top of a Marshall 4x12 speaker cabinet. He also owns 2 Pre-500 blackface Dual Rectifiers, which are used for recording purposes. - Marshall And Mesa/Boogie 4x12 Cabinets. Can be seen using a wall of Mesa Boogie 4x12 Cabinets on the music video for Pussy.
- Soldano DecatoneSoldanoSoldano is a guitar amplifier manufacturing company, founded in 1986 by Michael Soldano in Los Angeles, California and later relocated to Seattle, Washington. It is mostly known for its modern high gain amps, particularly their flagship model — Soldano SLO-100, but product lineup also...
head (??? - ???) - Soldano Avenger 100 Head. (??? - ???)
- Unknown MarshallMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
head. (??? - ???) - TC Electronic Nova Delay
- Digitech WhammyDigitech Whammy-Overview:The WH-1 Whammy pedal, the original whammy, first engineered and manufactured in 1989 by IVL Technologies and discontinued in 1993, remains the most sought-after.-Controls:...
(?) (Can be heard in the tracks Stein Um Stein, Zerstören and Liebe ist für alle daLiebe ist für alle daLiebe ist für alle da is the sixth studio album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein, which was released in most of Europe on 16 October 2009, the United Kingdom on 19 October 2009 and the United States on 20 October 2009.- History :The album title was confirmed on 1 September 2009, in a...
, possibly also provides the detune from Drop D to Drop C during live performances of Rammlied.) - Roland JC-120 ComboRoland Jazz ChorusRoland Jazz Chorus is the name given to a series of solid-state instrument amplifiers produced by the Roland Corporation in Japan since 1975. Its name comes from its built-in analog chorus effect, and its "pristine, clean sound" was often used in 1980s music by, for instance, funk musicians.The...
(??? - 2008) (Used in the studio.) - DunlopDunlop ManufacturingDunlop Manufacturing, Inc., known colloquially as Jim Dunlop, is a manufacturer of musical accessories based in Benicia, California. Originally founded in 1965 by Jim Dunlop, Sr., the company has grown from a small home operation to being a large manufacturer of music gear for over 40 years.- Way...
Crybaby DCR-2SR Rack Wah with DCR-1FC foot controller - SIT Richard Z Kruspe Signature Strings
Note: Richard does not use a Tech 21 PSA-1.