![]() Ultimately, the Grim Reapers begat a quintet called Fuse, which released a solitary album on Epic in 1969. That band evolved into the Grim Reapers, which ultimately included Petersson on bass. Another band on the same circuit was a grittier-sounding aggregation called the Phaetons, which included keyboardist/guitarist and fellow Rockford resident Rick Nielsen. Petersson’s first band of note was called the Bol Weevils, which specialized in harmony vocals and Beatle covers (thus the pun behind the name) he played a Cherry-finish Gibson ES-330. I’ve since converted a ’72 Mapleglo 4001 to a single-pickup, neck-position-only version.” I liked the horseshoe pickup, but hate that it blocks your right hand from muting the strings at the bridge. In 1969, I bought a blue Rickenbacker 4001 to replace the Jazz Bass. “But I never liked it, and much prefer Fender Precision Basses. “My first bass was a Fender Jazz,” he said. Petersson’s conversion to bass took place circa 1967. My first concert, in 1962, was Johnny Cash at the Coronado Theatre in Rockford.” Before the Beatles, I’d been a huge fan of Johnny Cash, Duane Eddy, and Bo Diddley. “But I really wanted a Rickenbacker 12-string back then, because of George Harrison. It wasn’t particularly one that everyone wanted, and of course, now I wish I still had it,” he said. Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Petersson is, like many bassists, a converted guitarist. Now a resident of Nashville, Petersson still plays the 12-string electric bass he is credited for envisioning and developing in the late 1970s in conjunction with the original Hamer company. Photos by Rick Malkin It’s been a long time comin’… Like his longtime bandmate, Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick bassist/songwriter Tom Petersson collects classic stringed instruments. Tom Petersson with a ’61 Rickenbacker 4000 bass.
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