I read recently that Robert's legendary Fender VI was wired incorrectly at the factory, giving it it's distinctive sound. This was not known, of course, until a guitar tech looked at it many years later. I have a Fender VI and can do a pretty decent emulation of Robert's tone with a treble boost and chorus, but it's always close but no cigar. Now I know why!
His VI has had all the wiring modified & extra toggle switches. One cuts the low frequencies out & one switches the phase of the middle pick up
I read recently that Robert's legendary Fender VI was wired incorrectly at the factory, giving it it's distinctive sound. This was not known, of course, until a guitar tech looked at it many years later. I have a Fender VI and can do a pretty decent emulation of Robert's tone with a treble boost and chorus, but it's always close but no cigar. Now I know why!
Most likely, the phasing of the middle pickup. But who knows. Also, I think they mention on this same interview, that he brought 5 or 6 Bass VI's to the recording, and they used the one that sounded best, so he might have recorded previously with the others too.
From Reeves Gabrels' facebook:
"The electronics of this Fender VI have been modified with an additional tone control, so it has three knobs (volume, tone, tone) instead of the standard two (volume, tone).
Two small toggle switches were also added. One is a bass cut, which removes the lowest frequency tones from all six strings. The other changes the phase of the middle pickup, resulting in a more nasal sound when used in combination with one or both of the other pickups."
Didn't know where to add this, it contains a couple of music clips, and, ultimately, influenced me to stick A Forest on at 3;47am ..... with headphones!
From 20.11.2016 Madrid (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFBYqNMH8mA)
Hi I think I can help a little here…
Basically there are 3 rigs
Main rig Acoustic rig Bass Vl rig
Lehle switcher
Main guitar Spare guitar Acoustic which runs into the tuner then Cube 80xl
Guitar main board as follows. Tuner Ge7 solo boost BD2 SD1 DD3 PH3 set to fall
Out into the input on the 3 pedal board to the
DD3 BF3 BF2
The output from this board runs to a boss ce5 placed on the floor in front of the Cube 80gx amps. It’s the split into stereo from the ce5 pedal into the amps. The ce5 is always on!
Amps set to clean Jc120
Acoustic runs into a tuner then cube 80xl
Bass Vl Rig
Bass Vl guitar wired out of phase ( common 60’s mod) get a tech to wire your bass Vl out of phase and you will find the sound.
3 pedal board
GE7 SD1 BF3
Then to 3 pedals in front of his amps
First
Tuner DD3 CE5
CE5 and DD3 always on
Into Supro amp and extension cab…
Treble full up Middle off Bass half
Hope this helps….
Last Edit: May 15, 2023 22:41:32 GMT 1 by curehead
I read recently that Robert's legendary Fender VI was wired incorrectly at the factory, giving it it's distinctive sound. This was not known, of course, until a guitar tech looked at it many years later. I have a Fender VI and can do a pretty decent emulation of Robert's tone with a treble boost and chorus, but it's always close but no cigar. Now I know why!
Most likely, the phasing of the middle pickup. But who knows. Also, I think they mention on this same interview, that he brought 5 or 6 Bass VI's to the recording, and they used the one that sounded best, so he might have recorded previously with the others too.
From Reeves Gabrels' facebook:
"The electronics of this Fender VI have been modified with an additional tone control, so it has three knobs (volume, tone, tone) instead of the standard two (volume, tone).
Two small toggle switches were also added. One is a bass cut, which removes the lowest frequency tones from all six strings. The other changes the phase of the middle pickup, resulting in a more nasal sound when used in combination with one or both of the other pickups."
This Bass Vl is quite battered close up. It’s very heavy too. I picked it up when I had a tour of the stage.. Bloody lovely guitar. Reeves had a very old Telecaster in his guitar vault beautiful instrument.
Last Edit: May 15, 2023 22:49:13 GMT 1 by curehead
