Does any one know what string are on it? I heard someone say tape wounds on another thread but I can't confirm it. He used the Ritter strings on the " eye of Horus " sword steel I think they were. ?????
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Phil Lesh's New Ritter
- Thread starter Brondle
- Start date
THE RITTER "PL-5" ELECTRONICS
From bridge to neck:
1. Dual Potentiometer for Treble Cut and Boost (on Top) and Treble Frequency (Ring)
2. Dual Potentiometer for Mid Cut and Boost (on Top) and Mid Frequency (Ring)
3. Dual Potentiometer for Low-Mid Cut and Boost (on Top) and Low-Mid Frequency (Ring)
4. Dual Potentiometer for Bass Cut and Boost (on Top) and Bass Frequency (Ring)
5. Dual Potentiometer for Low-Bass Cut and Boost (on Top) and Low-Bass Frequency (Ring)
6. Pickup Balance
7. Master Volume (Pull the knob for Side LEDs)
Ima hafta go with 10cc even though he violates one of our sacred rules. I would say that many basses are more attractive. Like all of them.
The sticky that covers this is here. Be aware that John Turner (and all mods actually) is/are very fair, but you might start to get too close to the edge if you continue like this.
Also, I respect your opinion about it's looks, but I certainly wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers.
Back to lurking.
I love Jens Ritter's take on things, he definitely does not have the Fender clone ad nauseum bug.
I had never been a Grateful Dead fan, so it came as a surprise to me that Phil used these high end instruments. I just assumed that, my erroneously preconceived notion of the Dead being a hippie jam band, that he would use Fenders and the like. Once I started to listen to them, however, I quickly started to appreciate Phil and his playing.
I had never been a Grateful Dead fan, so it came as a surprise to me that Phil used these high end instruments. I just assumed that, my erroneously preconceived notion of the Dead being a hippie jam band, that he would use Fenders and the like. Once I started to listen to them, however, I quickly started to appreciate Phil and his playing.
The Dead were (and continue to be) one of the most innovative bands on MANY fronts. Phil wrote a song, with the lyric "Searching for the sound", and later a book with the same title. They were ALWAYS trying to find some new sound and if that means a bass with a zillion knobs on it, do it....
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
I've seen Phil with a Jazz bass early on and very occasionally. Most likely rental for gigs overseas and such.
Early on, he was known for Guild Starfire hollow body basses. Guild provided him with a number (three) built specifically for him. Those became the 'shells' for the very earliest of Alembic electronics and modifications. Alembic was an offshoot of the Dead's managment/tech operation. Phil was a pioneer of using active electronics, and his instruments really foretold the modern active electronics we use now (except he was using them in the EARLY 70's!). This is what he played for a large portion of that era:
Later, he used this one regularly:
Interesting for having quadraphonic pickups and a number of other complex electronics, as seen here:
I like it better than his Jupiter Ritter from a couple years ago, for sure. This one looks really slick, love the red on black, and it sits well in the mix. Just saw him live Friday night 
That said, I wish he was playing the Modulus. Phil's Modulus tone is on the top of my list. I love the clarity, sustain, growl, and punch, and how perfectly it works for his style. The Ritter's cool and unique, but IMO doesn't hold a flame to the Modulus tone-wise. Go back!!!
That said, I wish he was playing the Modulus. Phil's Modulus tone is on the top of my list. I love the clarity, sustain, growl, and punch, and how perfectly it works for his style. The Ritter's cool and unique, but IMO doesn't hold a flame to the Modulus tone-wise. Go back!!!
