Author Topic: Phils tone (Read 685 times)

David Houck · « **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2006, 05:41:25 PM »

Charles; that's an interesting configuration and a nice explanation!! Thanks!

David Houck · « **Reply #16 on:** April 06, 2006, 05:47:41 PM »

Bill; added. Thanks!

crgaston · « **Reply #17 on:** April 06, 2006, 09:43:54 PM »

You're welcome, and thank YOU, Bill and Dave.
Doing some more fiddling with my other (non-Alembic) basses, I'm finding that I need to use channel 2 in bandpass or hipass mode. The others just don't have the high end clarity of the Alembic, but they're meatier in the midrange than the maple-necked Rogue, so it works out.

Edwin, that's fascinating...I would love to read that interview. Any idea as to a source for it?

albrecht · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2006, 03:23:06 PM »

hi & very nice to read your discussions on SFsettings - learned a lot & was inspired to experiment! I like to ad that players wanting to aquire the phil-sound would benefit from using german PYRAMID-flat-wounds. they worked marvels on my epic as well as on my DARK-STAR-equiped DeArmond. using the f1x+sf2 on any all-tube-amp will bring a very nice phil-sound.

bassman10096 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 08, 2006, 10:11:37 PM »

I've never tried Pyramids, but have considered trying them. I have heard they go dead quickly. Has that been your experience? Also, what is the texture, feel and guage of the Pyramids? Slinky and thinner, like TI Jazz Flats? or different?

tom_z · « **Reply #20 on:** April 08, 2006, 10:29:29 PM »

Bill - I can't speak about Pyramid bass strings but I use Pyramid guitar strings and they last longer than any other guitar strings I've used.

I order them here - but they seem to be temporarily out of stock on bass strings just now.

Tom

albrecht · « **Reply #21 on:** April 09, 2006, 07:51:32 AM »

hi there/ Me living in europe have no problem obtaining Pyramids - I?ve also been in contact with owner. They are VERY eager to please and give exellent service. Like if you wish for something special, being a small company they?ll fix it for you. Playing on their strings was revelation - supersmooth! haven?t noticed that they age quickly! got the idea to try them from an article that said Phil and Jack used them in the ?70s.....

cosmic · « **Reply #22 on:** April 09, 2006, 09:14:29 AM »

I read the same thing about Phil. Pretty much the only effects Phil used was a Pluto Pedal bandpass filter and the filters on the Alembic and Alembicized basses.

Now he just relies on a Modulus through an Eden head driving 2 Meyers sound 12's and two Meyer sound 2-18's.

(Message edited by cosmic on April 09, 2006)

glocke · « **Reply #23 on:** April 12, 2006, 10:23:24 AM »

actually he also (as of this recent tour at least)..uses bass pod xt pro...at least he has one in his rack....

cosmic · « **Reply #24 on:** April 23, 2006, 02:04:39 PM »

Really? I musty have missed that one. I've looked at thoose pods in the past but never pulled the trigger. Have yet to figure out what I used one for I guess!

spose · « **Reply #25 on:** April 30, 2006, 06:28:23 PM »

I'm a big fan of the 70's era Dead..I've been striving for Phil's tone from the 70's for some time now. I use a 1976 Series bass strung with flats and a F2B.

It works pretty well for me.

albrecht · « **Reply #26 on:** May 01, 2006, 12:14:05 AM »

the PODtip was interesting - tried one bassPODxtPRO and it was very nice! some simulations esp. when cabs are added were very authentic and musical...you can find some PHILtones there, too!

jseitang · « **Reply #27 on:** May 01, 2006, 08:38:12 AM »

add a sf2 and youre pretty much in the there if not in the zone!

naxalez · « **Reply #28 on:** May 09, 2006, 06:41:06 AM »

can anyone tell me what is phil tone? i don't get it!

i feel that i'm very new one of the bass player when reading these comment

(Message edited by davehouck on May 10, 2006)

kmh364 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 09, 2006, 06:49:17 AM »

They're all referring to Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead (et al) and his prodigious bass sound (i.e., 70's-era specifically). He's one of the first to use an Alembic-modded Guild Starfire 4-str. acoustic/electric bass and one of the original commisioners of a custom Alembic (ie., the Osage Orange Bass featured in The Grateful Dead Movie). He's also probably the first bassist to use a truly hi-fi amp rig (as did the rest of the Dead).

If you haven't heard him play, and I'm assuming you haven't, and you're a fan of innovative bass playing, then you owe it to yourself to ck Phil out. He's currently touring with Phil Lesh And Friends.