On Phil Lesh: I'll echo Mikes choices for the best of the modified Starfire. There are other Europe '72 cuts that are similar, but the songs Mike mentioned certainly represent the best of its sound. The timbre, particularly on higher notes (the first couple of bars of Jack Straw for instance) is truly exceptional. The tight, clean bottom has just enough warm, growl to send me over the edge! Just thought of another: Check out China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider (Also on Eu. '72). The Starfire is a bit growlier, particularly in China Cat, but also during the transition between the two songs.
As for the Osage Orange bass, you should definitely fact-check this with Mica or Susan, but this has always been my belief: I don't think the Osage was completed for Am Beauty or Workingman's Dead (This is consistent with what I saw him play in concert during this era.). I do believe the Osage or another, similar Standard body Alembic was used on Wake of the Flood and Mars Hotel and perhaps others subsequent to those. I understood Mica to tell me that Phil had other Alembics built - some with Maple/purpleheart necks (unlike the Osage, which had Osage Orange and other woods in the neck - but did not have Osage Orange body-wood.) during this period. The neck delaminated on the Osage bass. Others can better comment on the non-Alembic electronic modifications on both the Osage and Starfire basses.
Based on the assumption that the Osage, and not another Alembic, was Phil's recording bass for the next albums in sequence after Europe '72, I'd have to say some of the best examples are on Wake of the Flood. Many players have noted Phil's solo spot at the close of Eyes of the World as a high point. My personal favorite is the the sound Phil used throughout Stella Blue. Highs, lows - all very clean and transparent, with a depth that makes me want to say it's one of the best recorded examples of an Alembic anywhere.
On Casady, I'm even less an expert, but my understanding was that most or even all the Airplane recordings were made with his modified Starfire. Perhaps others can shed more light.
Hope I haven't misled you. If anyone can furnish better info, PLEASE jump in! I'd like to see your article when it's done.
Bill
(Message edited by bassman10096 on March 29, 2004)
