Tom Petersson

mellowinman · #1 10-20-2011, 03:59 PM

I see no threads about Tom Petersson on here. I have read a lot about his innovations in Cheap Trick, but I think more about what my ear hears, especially on the first album, when he hadn't even played a 12 string bass yet.

Cheap Trick has a unique and excellent sounding rhythm section that I have always thought put them a notch above other "powerpop" bands, not to mention fantastic vocals, lyrics and lead guitar.

What does anyone thing about that?

Here's a cool link:

Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson on Creating Unique Basslines

I like these rules of thumb (note, I don't necessarily agree with all of them, but I like them) :

1. Use multiple amps. “It isn’t possible to get the 12-string bass sound that you want out of one speaker cabinet. Get your distortion and highs out of one amp and the low end out of another. The more amps, the better.”

2. Use high action. “Set it as high as you can. People always go for the ease of playing rather than the sound, but you get more sustain and low end with higher action. If it’s hard to play, then you need to develop your strength.”

3. Build forearm and finger strength. “When you practice, play difficult chords you might never play on bass, like barre chords. That will really build your strength.”

4. Use downstrokes. “People don’t use enough downstrokes. The alternating approach is just not the same. Downstrokes sound better and are more consistent. That up-and-down crap is for the birds.”

5. Use right- and left-hand muting. “If you want a heavier sound, mute with your right hand. You’ll notice that the bottom end leaps out. You also want to use your left hand to mute strings so they don’t create overtones. That’s a nightmare on the 12-string.”

6. Play live as often as possible. “If you really want to learn, you have to get into a band and get in front of people. No matter how much theory you have, when you start playing live it’s a different story. Can’t hear yourself? Too bad. Get out there.”

7 Don’t do it for the money. “Musicians don’t make money. Play because you love it. We were lucky, but it’s usually all or nothing. Most of the time, either you are U2, or you’re sitting around a garage wishing you were U2.”

8. Always record your ideas. “People say if it’s good enough, you’ll remember it. Not true. Some of our best ideas were things we had recorded and forgotten about. Record it and come back later.”

9. Learn your songs on an instrument you can’t play. “Trying your song on a different instrument is inspirational for playing bass. Pick something with different tunings—a banjo, a ukulele, or a piano. Even if you are lousy at it you will get a different perspective.”

10. Experiment. “Make as many mistakes as you need to create a great part. You might develop your own style unexpectedly. Something that will be special about you later may be something they’re complaining about now.”

11. Don’t use effects. “The best players don’t use anything. Don’t get a distortion pedal for an amp that’s too clean; get an amp that has real distortion. Effects take the human quality out of it, and they can be a crutch. Plug straight in.”

12. Stay clean. “Don’t drink or do anything like that when you are playing. It might seem better to you at the time, but when you listen back it won’t sound good. It doesn’t make you creative—it gets in the way of being creative.”

mellowinman · #2 10-21-2011, 08:38 AM

No love for Mr. Petersson?

I think he might be underrated.

Savage_Dreams · #3 10-21-2011, 09:06 AM

petersson rocks. my first inspiration for getting a 12.

#2 i agree with, but scares me, lol.
my action is pretty low and i wish it was lower, but ive only had my 12 about 2 months, before that an 8, but my strength is getting there.

double agree on #8. ive always found the 'if its good youll remember it' to be total bs. i record every when im noodling at home, go back later and find the cool bits. its the best way to go. do that with my band too, we record our jams and then go through them later.

#12 also, i never drink when i play, thats another load of bs is thinking you play better stoned or drunk. if you cant get high off the music why are you playing?

woodyng · #4 10-21-2011, 10:53 AM

I love Petersson's playing,as well as his taste in basses,and have read that interview before,thinking he is a shoot from the hip kinda guy. I don't really agree with everything he says,but overall a lot of great idees in his approach. The main thing is this works for him,and could work for others just as well. I am not a fan of the strings layin on the fretboard approach,but any time i pick up a bass or guitar with really high action,i don't find it appealing to try to play. I can't even imagine a 12 string bass with high action.also having played more than a few 12-ers,i really prefer an 8 string bass for a similar sound,but thats just me.

The Lurker · #5 10-21-2011, 11:06 AM

I agree with everything except #11.

mellowinman · #6 10-21-2011, 11:53 AM

Yeah, as I said, I definitely don't agree with everything he says, but I did enjoy his comments. I am more interested in discussing him as a bassist, overall. I think he has great tone, and a great approach. Really meaty at times, and I think unique in sometimes sounding like he's playing two instruments at once.

Frankly, I don't see how CT ever did without him!

edbass · #7 10-21-2011, 12:17 PM

IMO Tom Petersson is a much better player than most people think; certainly not a "follower" when it comes to style or tone.
His live tone is incredible; at soundcheck his gig level tone/presence soloed is like the voice of God. Big and beefy, "hairy" but stll defined and punchy.

**TRichardsbass** · #8 10-21-2011, 02:03 PM

I love number 2. I always did and still do use higher action, although not Jamerson high. Its a crap load better for using a pick, that is absolute!

And number 12 reinforces the thread that closed on Band Management.

Case closed. Now. where is my old Hamer short scale 12 string....

jaywa · #9 10-21-2011, 02:08 PM

The only guy that might be more underrated than Mr. Petersson is his rhythm section mate, Bun E. Carlos.

A great drummer (which Carlos is) can take a bassist's playing to a whole nother level.

mellowinman · #10 10-21-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

The only guy that might be more underrated than Mr. Petersson is his rhythm section mate, Bun E. Carlos.

A great drummer (which Carlos is) can take a bassist's playing to a whole nother level.

Luckily, I have a drummer right now who considers Bun E. Carlos a sort of Drum God, which works out great, since we cover the Budokan version of "Ain't that a Shame."

JimmyM · #11 10-21-2011, 11:06 PM

I like Tom in Cheap Trick, but a few years ago, he did an interview for BP where he trashed people who record music for hire. Pretty lame...like he's some great artiste instead of someone who hitched his wagon to Rick Nielsen. Well sorry, but we don't all have the luxury of making a 6 figure yearly income on the back of someone else's work.

Corey Y · #12 10-21-2011, 11:14 PM

Sounds like great advice, for Tom. One set of rules don't apply universally to every musician. I like his work and respect him as a musician though.

rickwebb · #13 10-22-2011, 08:22 AM

I am a HUGE Tom Petersson/Cheap Trick fan ! His tone on the first CT album is awesome, in my humble opinion. And the first time i heard "Gonna Raise Hell" from Dream Police, i KNEW i had to get into the whole Multi-string thing... plus i've sort of ripped off his whole Budokan-era look... works for me !

TBird1958 · #14 10-22-2011, 01:50 PM

I've always liked Tom and his playing, I recall a quote from him saying something like "I'm not afraid to play the same note 64 times in a row if it serves the song".

With a couple of his basses....

A TPT-4 Sig at NAMM

And one of only two.........8 string Non Reverse. I own the other one

And mine...

Corey Y · #15 10-22-2011, 02:36 PM

Holy crap, I would LOOOVE an 8 string NR Thunderbird.

projectMalamute · #16 10-22-2011, 02:52 PM

Tom Petersson and Cheap Trick rule.

Here's an awesome bass sound for you:

Cheap Trick - You're All Talk - YouTube

and here with his new EGC aluminum 12 string:

mellowinman · #17 10-22-2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

Tom Petersson and Cheap Trick rule.

Here's an awesome bass sound for you:

Cheap Trick - You're All Talk - YouTube

That's what I'm talking about! Man, is that sweet!

babaseen · #18 10-22-2011, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mellowinman

7 Don’t do it for the money. “Musicians don’t make money. Play because you love it. We were lucky, but it’s usually all or nothing. Most of the time, either you are U2, or you’re sitting around a garage wishing you were U2.”
”

I can dig that!

corinpills · #19 10-24-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

The only guy that might be more underrated than Mr. Petersson is his rhythm section mate, Bun E. Carlos.

A great drummer (which Carlos is) can take a bassist's playing to a whole nother level.

Agreed. I am a huge Cheap Trick fan and have seen them many times, but I have a hard time thinking about seeing them now that Bun. E isn't with them anymore. It just wouldn't be the same to me.

Rob Martinez · #20 10-29-2011, 09:40 AM

Tom Petersson is one of the greats! He has his own sound and style, and for that alone stands out in a crowd. I always found his playing tasteful and just right for the type of music Cheap Trick plays. All of Cheap Trick are great, Robin, Rick, Tom and Bun. There are NO weak links in that band.

He is a classy guy too. I met him once in Albuquerque before a Cheap Trick gig. We talked about the Beatles, of all things. When he left to play, he said, "Expect a surprise in the set list." When they came on stage, they opened with MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR!