Grateful Dead Music Forum

Ok, I am looking for opinions for the next gear step in my search for a more authentic Bobby tone.

I am mostly satisfied with the tone I am getting going clean into a Fender HRD 2x12. I have a 1979 Artist (2619) and a 1977 Artist (2622). I use an Ibanez AD-9 Delay and a Boss BF-3 Flanger and slight amp overdrive when needed.

I like the clean tones I get from the guitar/amp combo I have but I am curious if any of you Weir guys have some gear advice for tweeking more of the Weir sound out of what I have. I am not looking to break the bank but just looking for gadgets to improve what I got. Hey, you can't really do "authentic" Bobby without pausing 40+ times in one song to tweek knobs!

BTW the 2622 Artist is in the shop getting a full restoration (paint, edging, frets, electronics, etc) it is due to be completed and delivered next month. Pix to come!

Look into compression pedals, also try flatwound strings if you haven't already.

Grateful Dad has a great sound. He never overplays a part and his volume is always under control. He pretty much knows the tunes inside and out , too ....
Dude really captures the essence of the Bob Star.
Scary part is he started as the PHIL in the band and KILLED it .... Spot on Phil playing ....
Oh yeah he can solo too ....

Sorry I'm late to this post, I'm not a pro, just a carpenter with a guitar jones. From advice on this forum, flat wounds are probably 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in order of importance. Compression was allready mentioned, and again I agree. A couple things that I found that helped me are EQ and speakers. My rig--Strat into a reissue Twin was really helped by a MXR 10 band EQ. I thought I knew how I was gonna set this before I got it, but when it showed up I happened to notice one of the 'suggested settings' I think it was called 'Sparkely clean'. Figured that was worth a try, and it was pretty freakin close. You gotta boost those mid highs. Another recent discovery was Tone Tubby DD Black Alnico speakers. The DD stands for 'double dipped' I guess. When I replaced them for the Jensen's that came with the twin, the difference was (to me) impressive. Three different times while I was playing, I lost my place in the song 'cause I was thinking DAMN these sound good.