‘Open Mike’: Watch Mike Gordon Answer Fans’ Questions About Phish Bass Rig

Phish bassist Mike Gordon gave a rundown of his current rig using the format of answering questions submitted by fans via Instagram. The 20-minute “Open Mike” video first aired during setbreak on the livestream broadcast of the band’s recent New Year’s Run at Madison Square Garden.

Gordon initially gave a Rig Rundown in 2012 and then shared a shorter look at his setup in 2019. Mike started “Open Mic” by discussing and giving examples of how he gets synth tones. He noted the Deep Impact and Future Impact effects are his favorites currently. He went on to show off a distorted tone that was a sound he likes to use but wouldn’t during a concert.

Another fan asked Mike which effect pedals are open portals or open up portals to which Mike responded, “I’ll go for an hour during a deep jam and not use any effects pedals.” He then revealed he uses the Echo Space Of God setting to reach an ambient portal and loves a “chim chim” effect in which he can slow down the tempo and overlap pitch delays.

Gordon received questions about Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio using bass-like tones and how he likes to respond musically. He will often use an octave pedal to make his bass sound similar to a guitar. “I don’t want to be too similar, so I have to pick something that will match it but be not the same,” Mike added and showed off a few examples.

The 57-year-old musician also responded to queries about his sneakers, whether he’ll add any power tools besides the drill to his rig and the size of his rig. “You don’t need a big bass rig with all this processing to sound amazing,” Mike said. “Some of the best bass players I’ve ever seen have been with someone in a club with a single 15-inch speaker, no processing, no nothing, an old Fender bass and the most incredible sound and groove ever,” Gordon added.

Other questions answered related to cutting frequencies, the venues his rig sounds best at, the weirdest sounds he can play and effect pedals he can use that sound good in any situation. Check out “Open Mike” below: