Help me get this Phil tone... please?

[snogaws]

Hey guys, I'm a first time poster, but long-time board reader.

I am trying to get Phil Lesh's 1991 tone, but am having trouble. My current setup is:

Modulus Q6 TBX bass
GT Electronics Studio Series Bass preamp
QSC PLX Power amp
Eden 410XLT cab

If anyone could recommend what settings I should use, or any additional piece of equipment I may be missing, I'd really appreciate it. I am aware my setup isn't close to identical as Phil's, but I'm still hoping I can get close to the sound he had in 1991.


Here's a couple videos that have the tone I'm looking for:

EDIT: The embedded video isn't showing up for some reason... here's a link to the videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeHSikwXCag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s299tujePoc

[waldo041]

i can only help with the embed!

peace,
waldo

[strumminsix]

I'm not a bassist but did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once...

Have you considered adding a 1x15 under that 410, bi-amp it out, and start getting the tight yet creamy lows against the punch and attack of a 4x10?

[snogaws]

I'm not a bassist but did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once...

Have you considered adding a 1x15 under that 410, bi-amp it out, and start getting the tight yet creamy lows against the punch and attack of a 4x10?

That might just be the missing ingredient. I'll look into that. Before I get anything though I'll wait for other responses. Thanks though!

[tigerstrat]

Maybe it's because you are using a graphite Modulus, which will sound pretty different from the wood Ken Smith Phil was playing at the time?

[Rusty the Scoob]

Forget amps, that setup is more than adequate. (No offense, S6!)

Get yourself some Ken Smith Slick Rounds and those triangle Telefunken picks that Brad convinced them to reissue. Find the right pick attack and you'll be nailing it. I'm getting that tone on my Sadowsky 5-string J-bass, even through my practice amp. It's really kind of the "Wrong" bass and amp but it works great.



You have to buy a 4-string set and add the B and C separately:

http://www.juststrings.com/kensmithelec ... round.html

http://www.juststrings.com/slickroundke ... rings.html

I got a dead low B from these guys... I should probably tell them, I bet they'd send me a free replacement.

These are the picks, available only on Ebay but they're legit. (there's a whole thread about them here somewhere) http://www.ebay.com/itm/TELEFUNKEN-Grap ... 314wt_1139 You can come close with the 2.0mm Adamas graphite picks that all the Jerry guys use, but these triangle picks get the tone you're after so much easier. Edwin gave me one and I thought it was too weird at first, but I gave it a chance and now I love it.



Scoop the mids a little (turning up the Aural Enhancer knob on that GT/SWR preamp will do fine) and you're there.

[Phil Lesh101]

I personally Love the 91 tone.