• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mike Gordon - 3.6.09

mlbarlow

mlbarlow

Apr 26, 2005
378
1
47
Plattsburgh, NY
www.thegroovetheory.com
#1
Alright, so if you're into Phish, you've probably already downloaded their show from last night. (It's free! And it's a great show!) Anyway, Mike Gordon whips out a fat synthy tone about 14:40 into "You enjoy myself" ... my first thought was a microsynth, but can someone please tell me it was actually something less expensive? :rolleyes:
 
#5
I know exactly which part your talking about and it rocks. He has some awesome effects and has always had great tone. There's a number of things it could be. I've been looking into Mike's rig a lot lately. He has a number of effects pedals, as well as multiple pre-amps with effects on it. It's really hard to say exactly what he uses when especially since sometimes he combines effects. If I had to guess I'd say it's either the Deep Impact, or a pre-amp. Can anyone help me get tone close to his. Besides his effects pedals, and bass or amp, any general tone recommendations? His bass has always sounded good and I know he changes it a lot, but we all know his general tone. Please help if you can! I'm interested to find out what that effect was also if anyone does know!
 
#6
I hear sub-octave, some light envelope filter and maybe some short delay/reverb in that part.

According to this: Invalid Link Removed the most recent update (nearly a decade ago now) has him using an EBS Octabass and a Lovetone Meatball. He was also using Graphite picks at one point, ala Phil Lesh, no idea about now though. With the tone in this Hampton show I wouldn't be surprised if he still does.
 
#10
Wow, big surprise - Phish gets mentioned, and people start making snarky comments wilthout contributing anything to the conversation. What's that saying, "if you don't have anything nice to say (or helpful to add, maybe?), don't..." well, you know.

Anyway, from the phisharchive.com:

On the current Phish tour Mike Gordon is playing two basses: his older Modulus Quantum 5-string with a 34"-scale bolt-on neck, bubinga top, and EMG PJ pickups; and his new Modulus TBX neck-through 5, which sports a walnut top, EMG DC humbuckers, 26 frets, and a 34" scale. Both are strung with Ken Smith Slick Rounds, gauges .044, .062, .084, .106, and .130. Gordon plucks them using Dunlop 1.5 mm "stubby" nylon picks.

On tour, Mike's bass signal traverses the following path: A Korg DTR2 rack tuner; Countryman DI; Custom Audio Electronics 4x4 Audio Controller, which has four loops for a Lexicon LXP-15 multi-effect, Eventide 4000 Harmonizer, Love Tone Meatball envelope filter, and EBS Octabass; a second CAE 4x4 Audio Controller with a Boss BF-2 Flanger, Ibanez TS10 Tube Screamer, Boss SYB-3 Bass Synth Pedal, and Akai SB-1 Deep Impact Bass Synth Pedal; an ADA MB-1 Preamp (which goes to the house); a Meyer Sound CP-10 digital sound processor; and a second Countryman DI split two ways to the amps: an Eden World Tour 800 head with two Eden D-410XLT cabinets, and a Meyer Sound P750PL powered 2x18 subwoofer. The two Eden cabs sit on the Meyer cabinet, which lies on its side; the rack lies alongside. In his monitors Mike hears all of the vocals, piano, some kick drum, a small amount of snare and hi-hat, and a bit of himself if he's situated far from his rig.
Click to expand...

So that's from '03 - don't know what, if anything, has changed since. There was a site - Gadiel's maybe? - that had the whole thing plotted out which was pretty cool. I'll try to find it.
 
#11
Nothing to add but I'm glad these shows were made available for those of us to poor to make the trip and live in areas of the country they aren't coming to.

DL'd both shows that are available so far and giving the first one a listen.
 
#13
my guess is that the YEM effect (downloading now), is a combination of several effects. mike uses bradshaw buttons (programable, hard bypass effects switching).

as for mikes rig @ hampton, it the monitors look like they are all meyer... two 2x18 and two monitors. there is still some kind of eden (preamp?) in the rack, but the eden cabs are MIA.

also, though it doesn't look like it jives with the hampton rig, if you go to mike's site (http://www.mike-gordon.com) and click the "cactoids" tab, there is another gear rundown.
 
#14
thombo said:
my guess is that the YEM effect (downloading now), is a combination of several effects. mike uses bradshaw buttons (programable, hard bypass effects switching).

as for mikes rig @ hampton, it the monitors look like they are all meyer... two 2x18 and two monitors. there is still some kind of eden (preamp?) in the rack, but the eden cabs are MIA.

also, though it doesn't look like it jives with the hampton rig, if you go to mike's site (http://www.mike-gordon.com) and click the "cactoids" tab, there is another gear rundown.
Click to expand...

phish1.jpg


phish2.jpg


Some visible pedals in the rack next to Mike Gordon's cabs there.

You can also see a Leslie cab behind Trey's rig....(I know; he's had one for a while)
 
#19
Mike uses a very complicated rig but my opinion is that he leaves most of the things out of the loop most of the time, since ive seen him play a small non-phish gig and most of his sound is still there. short of playing with Mikes skills and attitude, having a Modulus goes a long way, graphite pick helps, possible bright flat strings or the equiv.
In the tour photo he has obviously got the meatball in the rack, the purple pedal is probably nothing more than a Boss bass flanger, and obviously the amp on the right is an Eden WT-800. It also helps to have four 18" drivers and a really nice microphone. If he is still using the Meyer cabinets (they are powered and are crazy expensive) then hes just using the Eden preamp section.

But i believe the key to his style is his hair :)
 
#20
PinkFloydDan said:
I believe he famously uses the very expensive Meatball pedal for all synth sounds
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he only uses it at the beginning of DWD and occasionally in a jam when he wants a super wet/dripping-envelope filter sound. For synth, I'm certain he's used the Deep Impact on past tours, and I would imagine he still has it (though I haven't listened to these shows through yet).


Duke2004 - good call on the hair (though I've always thought it was his pants ;) )

Edit - come to think of it, I believe he rocks the Meatball for Moma Dance also.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back