Phil Lesh and his medium scale Series II 6-string bass

[funkyjazzjunky]

I am so glad to see such a high-profile player join the ranks of the 6-string players.  
 
VMG

[lbpesq]

Mike:
 
Thanks for remembering!  I had forgotten about that particular incident until you brought it up.  It took place following a talk he did in San Francisco promoting his then newly published memoir Searching for the Sound  (a great read, by the way)  But, to set the record straight, it was someone else who accosted Mr. Lesh literally while he was standing using the urinal.  I, on the other hand, started up my conversation while we were both washing our hands at the sinks after doing our respective business.
 
Bill, tgo

[rustyg61]

I'm honored to have held the lower body half to Phil's bass when I visited the Mothership this summer. I could tell it was going to be spectacular, but WOW!!!! This is gorgeous!! Welcome home Phil & congratulations of an amazing instrument!
 
Rusty

[rustyg61]

Hammer, I'm having the Knobby headstock built on my Europa 5 string. If you want to see what it looks like on a Europa check out my build.
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/187185.html?1395388066

[ed_too]

My new BB just arrived by UPS from the Mothership - hey - I just got that look that Phil has in the pictures above. It seems to be going around this week.

[adriaan]

[The discussion continues here.]

[ed_too]

ps. I?ve got tickets for Phil and Friends playing out here on Sept. 21st. I can hardly wait to hear him play TOV ? I?ll post in the TOV thread afterwards.
 
Regards,
 
Ed

[pace]

Yeah, yeah, I know Bill.... just busting your chops...  
 
....good story though...

[David Houck]

First video.  This appears to be video from last night's debut of the new bass.  Phil is singing Box of Rain.  The video is dark and from the side, and you can't hardly see Phil or the bass; but you can hear it.  And at the end, the band leaves the stage and Phil puts the bass in its stand; and you can see the LEDs all lit up.

[hammer]

Just listened to the Youtube video.  Cleanest, clearest bass sound I've heard from Phil in both his recorded (live) and the live performances I've been able to catch with PL&F and Further in years...
 
Rusty:
 
I've been following your build closely. Love how its looking as color is added and I'm jealous of the headstock.  It's going to be incredible!  Get well soon!

[edwin]

Hm, that video sounded a little less than clear to me when it comes to the bass (given my experience of both Alembic's and Mr. Lesh's tone). It sounded like a somewhat off axis recording in a location that was subject to upper bass standing waves, so a bit lacking in highs and a bit boomy in the upper bass and lower mids. I did like the fact that each register was very balanced, but I would expect an even better tone right in front of the amp or from a direct signal. It sure whetted my appetite for more!

[rv_bass]

Listened to it on the train this morning rolling along the New England coast at sunrise.  A lovely way to start the day!

[David Houck]

Edwin's note that each register was very balanced was the thing that stood out for me as well.

[hieronymous]

Been wondering where I should post this pic - this seems like as good as any!
 
 
 
Snapped this after everything was over - Phil's sound was very dark, almost no high-end content at all - wondered if it was filter settings, but I guess turning off your treble at the amp helps?!!
 
I took the pic to see how the Enhance knob was set, really did not expect the tone control settings!
 

 
(Message edited by mica on September 05, 2014)

[edwin]

Interesting. Are the strings round wound? Was the dumping of the treble a way to compensate and give them more of a flat or ground wound character?
 
The recording definitely represented a dark tone, but I assumed it was because of where the mics were in relation to the amp, but maybe I was wrong.