12-String Bass Interviews
Builders
Matt Eichen of Musicvox Guitars
In 1998 the first Musicvox 12-string bass appeared; it was a custom Spaceranger with a mirror finish designed specifically for Tom Petersson. Matt decided to surprise Tom with a custom mirror 12-string bass as a gift on the 20th anniversary of the Budokan album tour, and it was so well received that Matt has been building 12-string basses ever since.
Bob Singer of Waterstone Guitars
Sometimes one's passion can take on a life of its own. Bob Singer has taken his passion for vintage guitars and turned it into a thriving business. Waterstone set the 12-string bass world on fire in late 2004 when they announced the Tom Petersson signature model 12-string bass.
Jol Dantzig can truly be called the “Godfather of the 12-String Bass”. Jol crafted the very first Hamer 12-string bass and continued making them for 30+ years.
Paul Chandler of Chandler Guitars
Paul talks about the creation of the Flying V 12-string bass for Allen Woody and working with Tom Petersson to design the Chandler Royale 12-string bass.
Alistair Hay of Emerald Guitars
The master craftsman who built the world’s first acoustic 12-string bass discusses the creation of this amazing instrument, built from carbon fiber.
John Gaudesi of the Yamaha Custom Shop
Yamaha senior designer John Gaudesi created the custom Yamaha 12-string bass played by Doug Pinnick. He details the entire construction process.
Tony Leicht of Oktober Guitars
While it’s now out of business, Oktober Guitars created the Hades, October and Oktober brands of 12-string basses and many new styles of 12’s.
Designing new instruments can be a real challenge, especially when you work for a well established and respected company like Dean Musical Instruments.
Andy Rothstein of Rothstein Guitars
Starting with his love for playing guitar, Andy Rothstein expanded his knowledge to include the technical aspects of guitar mechanics and design.
Bill Jancar & Kelly Butler of First Act
The First Act Custom Shop built instruments for such noted players as Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), and Ginger (Wildhearts). In 2007 they turned their focus to building their first 12-string bass.
Jessie built the first Warrior 12-string and 15-string basses.
Bassists
Doug Pinnick is one of the most influential players ever to tackle the instrument. His growling, thundering music has helped to bring the 12-string bass to a new generation of players and fans alike.
Tom discusses the creation of the Waterstone Tom Petersson Signature Model 12-string basses. And he even checks out this website occasionally!
After Tom Petersson left Cheap Trick he was replaced by Pete Comita. Comita toured with the band for just over a year, rocking out on a custom zebra-striped Hamer Standard 12-string bass, as well as some of the same basses played by his predecessor.
James Hunting's musical resume is impressive, including Vince Neil’s Motley Crue, David Lee Roth and Eddie Money’s bands. Then one night while playing in Hollywood Jamie was spotted by former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick, who recruited him for the band Union.
Veteran 12-string bassist Ian Ringler from Colorado plays a variety of different Hamer 12-string basses with his various prog metal bands.
Not many 12-string bassists do double duty as the band's lead vocalist. Richard Savoie from Quebec City in Quebec, Canada did exactly that for many years with the band Éonz. He used his 12 on a number of recordings with the band.
Progressive rock thrives on big bass tones, and by using two 12-string basses on stage and in the studio, Pekka Ranta in Finland sets the tone standard that other bassists can only dream about.
Veteran bassist Rob Ruiz started playing 12-string basses in 1993. Currently with three 12’s in his arsenal, Rob rocks out in San Francisco, California.
SOiL’s bassist had an endorsement deal with Hamer and rocked out Ozzfest on his Hamer CH-12 12-string bass.
Big Wreck 12-string bassist David Henning is well known for his big bass sound. He shares his views of playing and recording the 12 in this conversation.
Monty discovered the 12-string bass while Galactic Cowboys toured with King’s X.
When we first met bassist Shalini Chatterjee she had just begun to experiment with her newly acquired Chandler Royale 12-string bass in both of her bands.
Few people get to be on the road as tech support for one of the most influential bassists of our time. Rob Lauritsen, bass tech for Doug Pinnick, offers a unique perspective on touring in support of a major 12-string player.
If you guessed that a 12-string bass might sound great in a two-piece band, you would be right! Amy Humphrey plays the 12 on several songs with her band Clatter, a bass / drums duo.
Recording
As producer and engineer respectively of Cheap Trick's 1978 album "Heaven Tonight", Werman and Ladinsky get the credit for being first to ever record Cheap Trick’s thunderous 12-string bass sound.
Ron Johnson from Rockford, Illinois is one of the early pioneers of the 12-string bass, rocking out and recording with 12-string basses since 1986. Ron shares his tips and tricks for getting a great recorded bass sound and for leaping high into the stratosphere.
Sam Taylor influenced and molded the sonic qualities that would forever be recognized as the early King's X sound and, with the band, they forged the first four King's X records and laid some of the groundwork for what would eventually become the grunge movement.
As the engineer on the early King’s X albums, Steve Ames helped to shape the sound that gave the band their unique sound.