Thin Lizzy "Downtown Sundown" bass effect?

[GremlinAndy]

Fat warm tone with a swirly effect. What is that effect? Is it phased, flanged, chorused? I feel like I should know this, by listening. But I must be getting old.

[GremlinAndy]

Oh and feel free to suggest your thoughts on the best pedal(s), to get that sound if price was no object!

[GarethFlatlands]

Sounds a little 'watery' and not as thick as a phaser to me so I'd say a chorus. With unlimited money I'd go for a vintage Boss Chorus Ensemble but that might be my love of Andy Summers talking!

[GremlinAndy]

I thought the same, ...it's not quite as 'aggressive' and up-front as a phaser.

Andy Summers had an awesome and very identifiable sound and technique. Love it!

[elephantgrey]

Sounds like a 2 stage phaser to me.

[Higgie]

Just to add fuel to the flames.. I always thought it sounded like a Flanger!

But if you did want to try a Vintage Boss CE-1, I've got one for sale….

Edited May 4, 2017 by Higgie

[ratman]

If I remember correctly from one of the Thin Lizzy documentaries I watched, it was a flanger they used on the bass..

[ratman]

The Andy Summers pedals that made 'that sound' were the Echoplex and Electric Mistress.

[dannybuoy]

Responses in this thread just go to show that any swirly pedal will do!

[GarethFlatlands]

[quote name='ratman' timestamp='1493890188' post='3291514']
The Andy Summers pedals that made 'that sound' were the Echoplex and Electric Mistress.
[/quote]

Well then, time to check ebay for a vintage Electric Mistress!

[GremlinAndy]

I just did a bit of history checking...
The 'Fighting' album was released in 1975
Electric mistress was first issued in 1976

Its possible that the effect was generated in the studio by the tape slowing method, but somehow I don't think so... It feels to regular, more like a pedal type effect.
So I reckon it was an *earlier* effect. I know Lynott used Flanger on the '79 Black Rose album for "waiting for an alibi" But Downtown Sundown sounds less pronounced than a flanger or phaser IMHO.
So I'm tending to think you may be right Higgie... Chorus methinks.

[GremlinAndy]

Hmmmm. A vintage CE-1. Interesting. I'll consider that, but I have a chorus somewhere. I'll try that first. I just can't put my hands on it right now dammit! 😂

[TrevorR]

[quote name='GremlinAndy' timestamp='1493939341' post='3292084']
I just did a bit of history checking...
The 'Fighting' album was released in 1975
Electric mistress was first issued in 1976

Its possible that the effect was generated in the studio by the tape slowing method, but somehow I don't think so... It feels to regular, more like a pedal type effect.
So I reckon it was an *earlier* effect. I know Lynott used Flanger on the '79 Black Rose album for "waiting for an alibi" But Downtown Sundown sounds less pronounced than a flanger or phaser IMHO.
So I'm tending to think you may be right Higgie... Chorus methinks.
[/quote]

Downtown Sundown's off Bad Reputation though, isn't it? Recorded late 76, released 77 IIRC (or it could be 77/78).

[GremlinAndy]

sh*t. Yep. You're right! So he was using flanger on Dancin in the moonlight at that time then. Of course that makes sense!