Grateful Dead Music Forum

Ok ...I couldn't find that original thread ....sue me. I'm the Bobby guy in my band......here's what I play....

early 80's Epiphone Sheraton...just perfect in every way

Players custom strat

Telecaster

Fender Hot Rod Deville 2X12 driving a 2X12 cab as well

what suggestions for effects...I have never been an effect guy .......usually just a Fender...cord...Fender......My Jerry guy brings it big time (custom Modulas bought from Furthur's tech)...I need to follow suit


I'll hang up and listen..........

Lawyers are en route


Most will say: flanger, phaser, distortion and delay!

I don't use flanger than much nor phaser. I like my rotary phaser (maxon ph350) which is like a combo of both. delay & dist is a must!

Good pre and post distortion equalization is the most important "effect". Closest I get to a base Bobby tone is with an graphic EQ before my amp with a broad ramp up from -12db at 100hz up to 0 at 1-3khz (always cut never boost I've found works best), then a small cut at 6khz because it can get a bit harsh. Bass on amp at 0-1, Mids dialed back to 2-4, Treble maxed, presence backed off. High-pass filter around 100hz (I have a "single coil emulator" on digitech effects which I believe does just that).
Keep in mind that's with my Epi Dot so I have to be a bit more aggressive with cutting low mids than you would with single coils, but I believe his sound is very centered on the harmonic overtone content in the 800hz-3khz range, and when you get the low mids out of the way, those shine through nicely. A subtle use of slap delay gives it a bit of depth and simulates the right kind of attack envelope. Any kind of wierdness you add on top of that (phaser, chorus, flanger) is gonna sound pretty bob-ish.
I've heard a lot about Bob's sound being very mid-range focused, but now I'm pretty sure that for most years, his sound was even more treble-focused than jerry tones.

On a semi-related note, the more I learn about EQ the more absurd the term "mids" becomes because it is such a wide range of frequencies with very different characteristics and implications for creating a good mix!

great feedback.....I'm off to Ebay !! (dont tell my wife)

Donkey - Bobby is more in the technique than the gear.

Stevo123 wrote:I've heard a lot about Bob's sound being very mid-range focused, but now I'm pretty sure that for most years, his sound was even more treble-focused than jerry tones.

On a semi-related note, the more I learn about EQ the more absurd the term "mids" becomes because it is such a wide range of frequencies with very different characteristics and implications for creating a good mix!

As midrange is much lower than people think and, to your point, Bobby to me is very "presence focused"

What if you wanted to go for an early 70's Bobby sound? Would a 335 and a Twin be all you need?

Thanks,
Jim

Jim, that was my thought. Lately, I've been using a 74 super reverb and really get some nice 72 tones out of it with a Schecter CS/H-1 with HB101s in it and through 4 Webers. Really really nice tones. Fender SR with Bass-3, Mid-5, Treble-4.5

Peace,

Gil

mijknahs wrote:What if you wanted to go for an early 70's Bobby sound? Would a 335 and a Twin be all you need?

Thanks,
Jim

My best early 70s Bobby was with my Epi Dot thru my 64 Vibroverb. LOVED IT!

i don't find him as "pristine clean" as a Twin unless you hit the front harder!

strumminsix wrote: I like my rotary phaser (maxon ph350)

Great pedal I have one as well. Just do not like the volume lose when it is not engaged. Do you have this problem? Thinking must not be true bypass.

strummingturtle wrote:

strumminsix wrote: I like my rotary phaser (maxon ph350)

Great pedal I have one as well. Just do not like the volume lose when it is not engaged. Do you have this problem? Thinking must not be true bypass.

I roll off the volume when engaging. Works every time