At the 2002 Grateful Dead family reunion at Alpine Valley, I stood in front of the gear display, just staring at the Godfather/Big Brown for almost half an hour. Gave me shivers even though Phil wasn't playing it.
I never thought I'd see him use it live, but then at the Patriot Center 12/2/05 he busted it out for a barnburning Viola Lee > Caution > Feedback > Viola Lee. And I was right up front, about 15 feet from him!
I couldn't believe the incredible clear rich tone of Big Brown. He was mostly messing with it to get feedback, but when he had the controls near normal, it generated a creamy fundamental that shook me in my shoes.
That was the moment I decided that, despite having several amazing basses including an Orion, I *had* to obtain an old Series bass. Less than a month later, 78-1140 came my way, and we're living happily ever after.