Most were variations on historical models like the White Falcon and 6120, but none had to stand up to that kind of tension.” “We’ve created many prototypes over the years, but none as unique as this. “It was a matter of creating something that could hold up to the huge pressure that 12 strings exert on an instrument,” said Fleming. To address various challenges of the design, he then turned to builders in the Fender R&D Model Shop, Gretsch Custom Shop, and the Jackson Custom Shop. “I started with those cosmetics, then Tom and I decided that a 16″ lower bout, thin profile, and a short-scale neck would be a winning combination,” Fleming recounted. Petersson’s second White Falcon bass has an off-white finish and appointments inspired by mid-’50s Gretsch instruments. Tom and Lilah Petersson: Alison Petersson. Petersson on the set of “The Today Show” with his daughter, Lilah, and the Smoke Green bass. Based on a 1959 instrument, it was given the brand’s horizontal headstock logo and thumbnail inlays. The first was developed by Chris Fleming, a luthier who has been with Fender/Gretsch for 16 years. Once he began collaborating with Gretsch, concepts and construction came quickly thanks to his experience with the instrument. “There have been quite a few different White Falcons, but I like the double-cut Country Gent look.” “George Harrison used a Gretsch Country Gentleman,” he said succinctly. For his bass, Petersson keyed on the double-cutaway version for a very specific reason. Like most production instruments, the White Falcon underwent changes in configuration. “I love the look of classic ’50s and ’60s instruments, and Gretches are a longtime favorite,” he said. ![]() This year, he debuted a Gretsch version based on the company’s White Falcon guitar. His first 12-strings were built by Hamer, and he has continually fine-tuned the concept while working with several companies to build others, “…including Kids of Tokyo, Chandler Guitars, a Gibson prototype, Waterstone Guitars, and the Electrical Guitar Company,” he recently recalled in a talk with VG. Though anyone who has listened closely to CT music is fully aware of Petersson’s contribution, few know that he actually invented the 12-string electric bass and has been using one since 1977 to create the bright-but-dense sound that fills so much sonic space thanks to its four standard bass strings plus accompanying sets tuned an octave higher. Tom Petersson’s innovative approach to playing bass is a key element in the music created by the legendary rock band Cheap Trick. ![]() VG Overdrive is sponsored by Electro-Harmonix! White Falcon 12-string bass prototype, with 1959-inspired appointments.
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