Cheap Trick's 12-String Bassist
Pete Comita

After Tom Petersson left Cheap Trick in 1980 he was replaced on 12-string bass by guitarist Pete Comita. Comita, an Italian citizen, was an acquaintance of Rick Nielsen. He had filled in on bass for Petersson in a number of concerts in 1980. He was the logical choice as Tom's replacement since he already knew the songs.

When he first joined Cheap Trick, Pete played Rick Nielsen's white Hamer B12S 12-string bass.
This same bass was also played for a while by Jon Brant during his tenure as CT's bassist.

Pete and the white B12S

Promotional photos with Pete playing a 4-string bass at the practice facility on West State Street in Rockford, Illinois.

Ron Johnson writes, "The promo shots with the 4-string bass were taken in their old practice facility on West State Street in Rockford, Illinois. The building was called the Mid-Rock building and included a 24-track recording studio upstairs, AudioTrak. You will see them listed for a production credit on 'Standing on the Edge'. Cheap Trick worked with AudioTrak for several years doing demos and pre-production work on many albums. I used to practice in that building and helped haul CT's equipment. Bun E. would come down and watch our group and give the drummer pointers along with some funny smelling cig's. I haven't seen shots from that building for decades. Very cool."

Rockin' with Robin

Pete's Clones

Live on stage with a custom Hamer Standard 12-String Bass

Comita toured with Cheap Trick for fourteen months. He was replaced by Jon Brant during pre-production for Cheap Trick's album 'One on One'. Interestingly, Brant and Comita had previously played together in the band d'Thumbs. Comita went on to play guitar with Tom Petersson in Sick Man of Europe in early 1986.