Tom Petersson, the band’s bassist, was a pioneering force in the creation of the 12-string bass guitar and he believes that the instrument has had a massive impact on the band’s sound.
“Everywhere I go now with my Gretsch bass, people are in shock,” said Petersson. “They are the flashiest, coolest looking … You show up with that and people are like ‘Oh my god! I don’t even care how that thing sounds, that’s the coolest looking instrument I’ve ever seen.’ But then you plug it in and it’s like, ‘Oh my, whoa, what is going on here?’ So it’s the best of every world. I couldn’t think of a company I’d rather work with than Gretsch”.
Now, Gretsch has partnered with Petersson to release two signature basses. With the announcement, Gretsch has also revealed plans to release two limited edition guitars, which are currently on show at Summer NAMM.
USA Custom Shop Tom Petersson Signature 12-String Falcon Bass.
Petersson has put his own stamp on the White Falcon Bass design. Starting with the 12 strings, it also includes a laminated maple body, a 12”-radius ebony fingerboard with 22 vintage-style frets and mother-of pearl inlays that sits atop a “C” shaped maple gloss-finished neck, a shorter scale length (30.3″) for comfort and sweeter tones, dual custom Seymour Duncan Super’Tron pickups, a specially designed 12-string Space Control bridge and Gretsch “Cadillac” tailpiece, gold hardware and pickguard.
G6136B-TP-AWT Tom Petersson Signature 4-String Bass
As well as the outrageous 12 string model, Gretsch will also be releasing the more simplistic 4 string model. The G6136B-TP-AWT will feature a laminated maple body, 12”-radius ebony fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of pearl inlays, short scale length (30.3”), Adjusto-Matic bridge and Gretsch “Cadillac” tailpiece, gloss-finish maple neck with “U” profile, gold hardware and pickguard.
As per Petersson’s direction, the guitar’s usual pickup has been replaced with a middle pickup, (Seymour Duncan Super’Tron) pairing it with the new Rumble’Tron neck pickup giving the instrument and extra bold statement.
G6112TCB-WF Limited Edition Falcon Center Block Jr. with Bigsby
This model combines the Falcon’s powerful sound with Gretsch’s unique playability. Smaller in size, it allows for plenty of high-gain power while also offering comfort and control. With its dual TV Jones TV Classic pickups it can deliver plenty of power and its “Squeezebox” paper-in-oil allow for smooth vintage tones. It also includes a no-load tone control for smoother tonal taper while unleashing full-throttle Filter’Tron power, the classic Falcon “vertical winged” headstock logo, and a String-Thru Bigsby tailpiece.
6120T-59CAR Limited Edition Nashville with Bigsby
Looking just as good as it sounds, this model uses a classic 1959 Gretsch design, modifying it to modern standards. Candy Apple Red in colour with a matching headstick, the Dual TV Jones TV Classic pickups deliver pure power, with red inserts that match the body finish and “Squeezebox” paper-in-oil capacitors under the hood. The G6120T-59CAR also includes a rosewood fingerboard and a pinned bridge silkier tones finished off with a String-Thru Bigsby tailpiece.
For more details, head to gretsch.com.au.
