Alembic speaker cabinet from the Grateful Dead's wall of sound

[cozmik_cowboy]

Rick, you seem to be taking offense where none is intended; as I said, I was trying to narrow the possible range of time of your cab's advent.  But let me respond to your comments one by one:  I will refrain from further comment on your thread, and again - good luck with the sale, and I wish buying it was an option for me. Peter

[/i]

Peter, as I said on my previous post "Peter, thank you for your posting." All of the postings have been helpful and enlightening. 

The numbered outline was compiled from my previous postings for the purpose of clarification, full disclosure, and to try to proactively avoid any misunderstandings. I did not post the numbered outline as a particular response to your posting.

So again Peter, thank you for your additional information and posting.
[/quote]

OK, good; communication can so easily go sideways without the additional info of tone of voice & body language.  I'm glad we don't have a problem, and am sorry I misinterpreted.

Peter

[rv_bass]

Here's a nice photo from 1971 showing a 4x12, GD with Jorma sitting in, must have been a fun show!

[rv_bass]

...and I took this photo sometime in the 80s during a Box of Rain, looks like Weir continued to favor the 4x12 cab

[cozmik_cowboy]

Here's a nice photo from 1971 showing a 4x12, GD with Jorma sitting in, must have been a fun show!

Is that a Gibson Barney Kessel Bob's playing?!?  Never saw that one before.

Peter

[hieronymous]

And is that a 6-string Doug Irwin bass that Phil's playing in the 2nd pic??? At first I thought it was the Ken Smith by the headstock...

[sonicus]

That is not an Irwin bass .  It may be a Ken Smith .

[cozmik_cowboy]

I think that is, in fact, a Smith, Harry; what looks at first (or, in my case, second) glance like the Tiger-like scooped upper bass bout characteristic of Doug's work at that time seems, on closer examination, to be an effect of the mic stand shadow.  And to the best of my knowledge, Phil only had the one Irwin.

And, just to round things out, in the 2nd pic, Bob's on a Modulus; in the 1st, Jer has a '62 or '63 SG, and Phil one of his EBs (though Billy's cymbal prevents us from seeing from which one - I've seen pix of him with at least 3 different ones -  and whether it was stock or modded).  Can't tell what Jorma's playing, but it doesn't seem to be his usual 345.

Peter

[elwoodblue]

The pic RV bass posted of the '71 gig in an auditorium is the clearest
record of a JBL loaded bare blonde 4x12 in the Dead's backline.
 I enlarged it for those of us with older eyes (guilty  ).
(see attachment)


If only there was a little sticker, or piece of tape, or odd bit of wood grain that could
help with provenance. I see one JBL on skypilot's cab has a different color
cork surround (upper right). That might be helpful if it matches a picture that surfaces.


I'd love to own and play through it every day,considering it's weight and distance I'll just send  best wishes towards a fruitful sale 


Also here's a neat pic I hadn't seen, a view from behind the curtain.
 .
I dig those little cabs.


(also...gotta wonder what's going on with that amp. )

[rv_bass]

That’s a Modulus that Phil is playing in the photo I posted previously, here’s another photo of it taken by someone else.  Looks like the body may be graphite as well.  Sorry to get off topic.

[hieronymous]

That’s a Modulus that Phil is playing the the photo I posted previously, here’s another photo of it taken by someone else.  Looks like the body may be graphite as well.  Sorry to get off topic.

WOW!!! I also apologize for going off-topic, but that bass is fascinating! I mistakenly identified the body shape as "Doug Irwin" but it obviously has a broader provenance - maybe I should have called it the Tribute shape. Anyway, this bass deserves its own thread! I've never seen pics of it before - I thought the Ken Smith and Jazz Bass in the '80s were rare!

[sonicus]

I can see how one can see the slight Doug  irwin shape influence .   ____  As well in the other photo it does seem as it is a Modulus  indeed.   

[lbpesq]

Modulus logo on the headstock.

Bill, tgo

[StephenR]

Phil played Ken Smith basses in the late 80's... 88 and maybe 89 if I remember correctly. I have seen that Modulus bass of Phil's before, it is one of the early ones. Not sure, though, that I have ever seen another one like it. Could be a prototype.

[StephenR]

Here is another shot of Phil's all graphite Modulus... picture was taken in 1986 and is in the collection of the Grateful Dead Archive.

[elwoodblue]

Thanks for the pic Stephen,


mmmmm.... "Alien Pie"   


 I happen to have that 2u rack unit at the top (the input module), I love seeing more pics of it on stage with Phil...crazy how this equipment gets scattered over the years
(trying to stay on topic  )