CHEAP TRICK LIVE IN CALIFORNIA 2015

I have beat this drum before.  Cheap Trick is fantastic power pop band who have created many great songs over the years and were just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (finally!).  Still, after 40 years of existence, a ferocious live act.  Their connection to experimental musical instruments include, of course, bassist Tom Peterson's on stage preference for the 12 string bass guitar.  A guitar design he created.  No denying the power and volume of that bass!  And then there is Rick Nielsen and his five neck guitar.  Pretty unique axe.  How much does that thing actually weigh?  Here they are performing in San Jose, California in 2015.  Cheap Trick, keep bringing the noise!

Cheap Trick's Crazy Guitars!

I saw cheap Trick perform at the Mountain Winery venue in Saratoga, CA.  As usual, the band paraded about a number of unusual guitars.  Tom Peterson steadily banged away at his invention, the 12 string bass.  What a devastating tone this thing delivers:  a thick, metallic drone that can pierce through Cheap Trick's instrumental wall of sound or anchor the bottom end of the rhthym section.  Rick Nielsen, the lead guitarist for the group, trotted out this yellow box shaped axe and his monstrosity, the 5 necked guitar.  Lead singer Robin Zander dons an assortment of guitars as well but seems to favor the 12 string guitar format.  It is best to hear Cheap Trick in a small venue at maximum volume levels.

Dean 12 String Bass Guitar

Dean 12 String MONSTER!



I owned this Dean 12 string bass for about a year.  I found it simply too difficult to play and sold it on eBay.  It is otherwise a noise monster.  This instrument is thoroughly capable of creating walls of sound and suitably dense sonic textures.  I do miss it and have often thought of getting another.  But probably won't.    

My son and his first guitar.  This was actually my second 12 string bass. 

The first one was actually stolen and insurance paid for this replacement.
The Dean was actually a better instrument.