The long, long shadow of Phil X

[Mike Eskimo]

I actually thought I had a chance...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT


Truth is, there are a number of amps out there that will do what those do (minus the warble-brato of course).

My Bogen fer instance...

[Larry F]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

I actually thought I had a chance...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT


Truth is, there are a number of amps out there that will do what those do (minus the warble-brato of course).

My Bogen fer instance...

Who/what/why Phil X?

[Nash]

I'd never even heard of the amp prior to watching the Phil X videos so I have no idea what they cost prior to his "fame"; I'd venture to guess somewhere between $400 and $500. The price at this point in time is $844. That's not too out of line, it's certainly higher than what it would be were it not Phil X's amp of choice for so many of his videos, but I think $800 is right about what an amp like that should cost if someone wants it.

I don't think anyone can deny how immensely cool it looks, and it certainly sounds as good as any other amp I've heard on youtube(not that that says much).

I bet it'll go for close to $1000 which is way more than I'd ever pay for it, but I'm sure the winning bidder will be more than happy with their purchase.

Fretted Americana is coming out with their own clone of it called the "Tonemonster" although the details are fairly sparse right now.

[tonewoods]

Originally Posted by Nash

I bet it'll go for close to $1000 which is way more than I'd ever pay for it....

I'll guess 13-1500.00, which would be double what a regular ol' 213 goes for...

"The long, long shadow of Phil X" indeed....

[stevieboy]

To heck with the amp. I want the Firebirds. All of them.

[imsilly]

Originally Posted by tonewoods

I'll guess 13-1500.00, which would be double what a regular ol' 213 goes for...

"The long, long shadow of Phil X" indeed....

I'll laugh my arse off if someone pays double for a 213 type amp just because it has Tonemaster written on it. That amp isn't even the Phil X model. It's clearly a related model, but not the same. If you are going to pay more for a Phil X Tonemaster, at least make sure it's the same model.

Phil X's amp is a later model, made in Chicago on license from Estey/Magnatone with the later brown and gold chassis and an extra tone switch. He has talked about it enough that if you look at the array of various Magnatones made his is easy to spot. I'm also guessing his 213 type is also modified. I mean it definately has a different speaker and may even have more drastic mods.

Anyway, they are killer amps and I think Phil X is just letting the secret out rather actually creating the myth. I remember I was looking for a Maggy long before I saw the Fretted Americana videos and I'm a complete guitar newbie. Just glad I got my 213-A type amp. I was beginning to panic because when they showed up here in the UK for sale they were gone instantly and I noticed Ebay prices were getting higher every month.

[tonewoods]

Originally Posted by imsilly

He has talked about it enough that if you look at the array of various Magnatones made his is easy to spot.

If you ever happen to spot the amp we're talking about, I'd love to see a link...

I've got a line on what I think is the amp, and am just kinda curious...
It's missing the "Tonemaster" moniker, so it's kinda hard to ID in a Phil-X kind of way, not that I give a feces...

Originally Posted by imsilly

Anyway, they are killer amps and I think Phil X is just letting the secret out rather actually creating the myth.

Yep.
Here's mine, and I love it dearly...
It just recently blew a speaker, so I'm really looking forward to auditioning new candidates, as I always thought that Oxford could stand to be replaced...

[xjazzy]

But doesn't he use a Bad Monkey in front of the amp?

[tonewoods]

Originally Posted by xjazzy

But doesn't he use a Bad Monkey in front of the amp?

Sure sounds like he's using something....

[SnorkelMonkey]

[SnorkelMonkey]

No one can be that happy all the time. I bet Phil gets laid 3-5 times a day.

[tonewoods]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

Truth is, there are a number of amps out there that will do what those do...

For instance??
Do you mean other Maggies, or ?...

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

My Bogen fer instance...

Is that a Bogen combo, or modded PA head?
What's the model number on that thing if it is indeed the combo??

Thanks!

[Mike Eskimo]

Modded PA head.

Since I can approach/attain that tone w/ a $40 CL Bogen w/ a completely worn-out 1960 Jensen I doubt Phil's amp is modified.

He tends to say when he's using the Bad Monkey.

Contender for ugliest amp of all time ? Indeed. Then play a Tele thru it - pure skronk. (all the stuff written on it is some kid's writing - not original)

[dalandan]

Originally Posted by SnorkelMonkey

No one can be that happy all the time. I bet Phil gets laid 3-5 times a day.

try 30-50.

[tonewoods]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

...pure skronk....

Wonderfully descriptive...thanks.

Anyone happen to know what the Bogen combo model numbers are?

Thanks in advance.

Skronk.

[Wardpike]

I like Phil X when he doesn't talk: just let the guitar playing speak for you, Phil!

[imsilly]

I think a lot of the great tones on those videos is a combination of a great player, with quality guitars and a down right dirty pedal and amp combo.

That classic honky overdive happens without the help of a Bad Monkey with those old Maggies, but I definately think it helps if you do use pedals. I use a cheapo Dano Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive v1 in much the same way with my Maggy. I also run a jumper between both the amp's channels and that fattens the sound up even more.

If I remember correctly Phil X mentions using the Bad Monkey and a Boss CS-3. Though he also mentions he get requests to play straight into the amp, so I guess some videos are like that too. I'm also pretty sure the amp has been modified with a different speaker to the usual Oxfords. It definately doesn't look like the shiny, silver speakers you get in all the Maggies I've seen.

[e-merlin]

Never heard of Phil X before. At least, from that video, he's not the "million notes a minute" type player.

[InstituteOfNoise]

The speaker in Phil's Tonemaster is I believe an old worn early 60s Jensen. The amp is not modded either. I've played it and the new Tonemonster in development. It's spot on tone wise without a pedal. Phil uses a Bad Monkey as well as Tonebox Skull Crusher pedal for more dirt/gain.

As I've said in other Phil bashing threads here... I know pile of big name guys and he's gotta be one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. There's a reason why everyone in town uses him for their records. He's just an excitable boy and one mofo player. Still amazed how easy it is to knock on someone you don't know online, but I guess that's just how it goes...

[micpoc]

Originally Posted by SnorkelMonkey

No one can be that happy all the time. I bet Phil gets laid 3-5 times a day.

Originally Posted by dalandan

try 30-50.

Yeah, he's quick in more ways than one. . .

Originally Posted by InstituteOfNoise

Still amazed how easy it is to knock on someone you don't know online, but I guess that's just how it goes...

Sorry, but I find this guy to be one of the most annoying presences on YouTube. The persona he presents online - which I'm sure is only small part of who he is in real life, if it isn't a total put-on - is what's being judged.