Phil Lynott's tone - Waiting for an Alibi in particular

[dj150888]

Hey guys, just wondering how Phil gets that really tight overdrive (disclaimer; I've yet to experiment with any effects,so go easy on me for mistaking something for an overdrive), in particular in Waiting for an Alibi,
Youtube Link

Any ideas what amp/cabs he's using and any effects. I'm presuming he recorded that with the P bass.

[KJung]

Sounds like a Mutron to me... which is a sort of 'phase shifter' type device. That is the 'shimmering' type effect (almost like a Leslie speaker). I don't hear any particular distortion other than a nice P Bass sort of classic tone run through the Mutron. That was a pretty popular sound in the late 70's/early 80's.

Edit: Flatwound strings and a pick are also key to that tone. Any decent amp with some warmth in its inherent voicing and cab without a tweeter should be able to get you pretty close... nothing magic here.

[dj150888]

I presume a tube amp would help getting that tone too?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by dj150888

I presume a tube amp would help getting that tone too?

It actually sounds pretty tight and clean to me. I've heard that tone coming from old school Acoustic amps and GK amps myself. I'm not hearing a lot of tube in that tone myself, but it's hard to hear through that Mutron or whatever.

He's just a great player.

[dj150888]

Time to put a Mutron on my GAS list then so. I'll see if I can manage to get close with my ol' Hartke 3500 head.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by dj150888

Time to put a Mutron on my GAS list then so. I'll see if I can manage to get close with my ol' Hartke 3500 head.

You might want to put up a thread in the effects section of the site to verify that it really is a Mutron. I'm pretty sure it is (it's one of the few effects I ever used back in the day), but there might be a current product that will give you that effect in a smaller and less expensive product. I think they have reintroduced the Mutron, but not sure how good the new version is versus the original. The guys in the effects section will know, and will also easily verify if I'm right about the Mutron.

K

[dj150888]

Thanks mate. Will put up a thread in the effects forum.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by dj150888

Thanks mate. Will put up a thread in the effects forum.

Looks like the experts over on the effects side feel that the MXR Phase 90 is the ticket. That makes sense to me!

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by KJung

Looks like the experts over on the effects side feel that the MXR Phase 90 is the ticket. That makes sense to me!

That, or some sort of toned down flanging perhaps?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by bassybill

That, or some sort of toned down flanging perhaps?

Somebody on the effects side mentioned that he used one of those two rack space flanger/doubler MXR units (so you are right on there it seems).

And another guy reminded me that there was a Mutron II, which was more of a phaser than a ring modulator. That was the Mutron model I was thinking of (versus the III that someone mentioned).

K