Author Topic: Another 'How do I get Phil Lesh's tone?' thread (Read 1380 times)

connor · « **on:** August 29, 2010, 04:05:55 PM »

Ok, so I'm wondering how to get Phil Lesh's tone with my current setup. It is:

Alembic Epic bass with flame maple top, DR Sunbeams

Alembic F-2B
Alembic SF-2
Eden WT-600 (used as a poweramp only)
Eden 410XLT cab

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Connor

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2010, 08:08:15 PM »

Steal his fingers and technique?

First thing I'd do to get in the ballpark would be to find out what strings he uses and get a set. I have no idea what he is using.

For the benefit of the Lesh fans out there, you may have to specify a particular era to match. When a guy has been on the scene for almost half a century, chances are the tone has changed over the years.

hieronymous · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2010, 10:55:56 PM »

Yes, definitely narrow in on what era you are talking about. Plus, use a pick! Any more than that, and I defer to the experts!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2010, 06:24:37 AM »

Yes - pick an era & research it, & use a pick. At least early on he used Pyramid Gold flatwounds. And get some bigger speakers. He's mostly used 15s, some 18s - I don't remember ever hearing of him using 10s. Then go back to childhood and study violin, switch to trumpet.......

Peter

connor · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2010, 01:17:29 PM »

The era I'm going for is late 70's... like 1977 or 1978.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2010, 01:50:48 PM »

By '77 he was using a 3X15, a 4X12 and a 2X18.

Blair Jackson, Grateful Dead Gear, 170.

During this period [Spring '77 tour], Phil was playing his Alembic custom through an Alembic F2B preamp hooked up to a McIntosh 2300 stereo power amp driving a pair of Hard Truckers cabinets filled with Gauss speakers - one with four 15s, the other with three 12s.

ibid., 177.

Peter

edwin · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2010, 06:40:00 PM »

For that era I suggest trying to find some D'Addario Half-Rounds and playing with a pick. Back then I think it was a Fender Heavy, but recently Telefunken has reissued the graphite Dunlop that he's been using for the last 15 years at least (as well as Mike Gordon). I got a few from ebay and they are the real deal.

Edwin

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2010, 11:36:29 AM »

I met Phil (briefly) when his book Searching For The Sound came out, and I asked him where I could get a graphite pick like the ones that I heard he uses. He reached into his pocket and gave me his pick. It was a Dunlop Stubby triangular pick: Dunlop 473R Triangle Stubby Guitar Picks, 10 bucks for a dozen at M.F. They are made of Lexan.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2010, 11:48:40 AM »

And now I am doubting my own veracity... After googling Telefunken graphite pick I saw some picks that look even more like the pick I got from Mr. Lesh than the Lexan ones I mentioned above. Open mouth, insert foot, deal with it.
I did try some actual graphite picks (thanks, Edwin) and like the sound better than any others I have tried. But I still don't sound like Lesh...

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2010, 01:06:20 PM »

Hah! Maybe you're not holding it right.

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2010, 02:47:05 PM »

I remember when Mr. Lesh would play on occasion with his fingers instead of a pick .I think I recall seeing him play during the Alembic modified Gibson EB3 with Guild /Hagstrom pickups era. He ROARED on that Bass . It might have been one of his most visceral periods in tone. Think; JACK LESH lol !

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2010, 09:14:03 AM »

I was watching the Festival Express movie again the other day and Phil was using the Gibson with no pick on those shows.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2010, 09:16:57 AM »

David,

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried holding the pick differently but I still didn't sound like Lesh. Imagine that. ;-)

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2010, 06:25:12 PM »

Well then I don't know what it could be.

garth4664 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 02, 2010, 10:07:12 AM »

how to get Phil Lesh's tone?...hmmm I'm thinking drugs, lots of drugs