Page's gear in 1992-1993

Phish Live Shows
#1

I was thinking about this lately because I’ve been listening to my spring '92 shows. Page’s toy-sounding piano is what I want to talk about. I’ve said before that I like it in some songs (especially Harry Hood)…but its the Rift songs that I really feel are hurt by Page only playing that piano. Granted, I think Rift was released before spring 93 tour, so the Rift songs played during spring 92 tour were in their very early stages. Page does use the organ on the Rift album on Mound and Maze.

But, I heard a version of Maze (4.5.92) with no organ!! It was weird, to say the least. Also, I think many of the other songs could use the sound of an actual piano, like in Silent in the Morning, Rift, etc.

What do you guys think about the toy piano?

Does anyone know when Page significantly upgraded and expanded his gear for the first time? I would guess it was sometime in late '92, but if anyone remembers hearing anything else, I’d love to hear it.

#2

I don’t think Phish for me sounded like The Phish I know and love until 93. For me, it really started to sound proffesional and amazing when page got/used the baby grand and the organ regularly.

(Not to say there isn’t tons of good stuff before 93 though)

#3

Hmm I think the toy piano works pretty nicely on SOAM. It just ruins the more majestic songs as you said like Divided Sky and Rift.

#4

I never liked Page’s piano sound pre grand piano. It doesn’t sound organic. Tons of bands who play electric piano or synth piano sound more authentic then the sound Page was getting. Once the grand piano was introduced live, their entire sound got extremely better.

#5

I would have to agree wholeheartedly. Even though I was avidly listeing to Phish before my first shows in 93, there is a marked difference in Page’s sound between 92 and 94. I saw them first in the hallowed month of August 93, and Page had a grand piano onstage (Yamaha, I believe…). So quite possibly in 93, he upgraded to better keyboards.

#6

93 was the first year they introduced that Yamaha Grand Piano. The Feb 03 shows have the grand piano.

#7

Ok… taken directly from the Phish Companion 1st edition: 2/3/93, Portland Expo, Portland, ME was the debut of Loving Cup and the baby grand.

#8

Well…of course the 2003 shows did!!

#9

I love the toy piano. Baby Grand definitely sounds better, but I love the toy piano.

#10

^amen! I love that old Phish sound too. If you notice, it’s usually accompanied by a much different drum sound too … which I’d guess is different due to lower quality mics. Not sure about that.

But I’d never argue that the ‘toy’ sound is better.

Just like I’d never defend KISS … I just like 'em; everyone else really should hate KISS. I should hate KISS. Why do I like KISS? How come I keep typing it in bold, as if it’s gonna make the “S” more lightning-like?

#11

I’ve been listening to quite a bit of earlier Phish in preparation for the Colorado '88 release, and while I much much much prefer Page’s 93 and after sound, I don’t think his toy piano sound ruins anything. That said, I do tend to agree with Trey, who said that Page contributed more and more to the band everytime he upgraded his gear, such as in 93 with the piano and 96/97 with keyboards and synths.
Come to think of it, I don’t actually know when he added stuff like synthesizers and the Rhodes to his arsenal…

#12

The toy piano sound definately holds nostalgic as well as fond memories for a LOT of fans. It was the van era as well.
Hell, Marley was still under the piano at the first show I saw! I was shocked that a dog was on stage…

#13

i love pages old sound.

LOVE.

#14

i love lamp

#15

now do you really love the lamp or are you just saying you do?

of course i like the baby grand more because… its a baby grand

not a toy piano (not literally a toy but you know)

#16 
Brick Tamland: I love... carpet. [pause] I love... desk.
Ron Burgundy: Brick, are you just looking at things in the office and saying that you love them?
Brick Tamland: I love lamp.
Ron Burgundy: Do you really love the lamp, or are you just saying it because you saw it?
Brick Tamland: I love lamp! I love lamp.
#17

The “toy Piano” you guys are referring to is a Yamaha CP70. It’s less than 88 keys but has authentic hammer action and strings like a real piano (and also needs to be tuned after every time it is moved.) These were widely used in the 80’s by guys like Elton John and Billy Joel on their tours. The whole thing breaks down into 2 seperate pieces which makes it a LOT easier to move.

Anyways, yes, '93 was the first year for the 7 foot Yamaha grand that Page bought. While this was an obvious upgrade for the band’s sound on tour, I don’t mind listening to older shows with the electric Yamaha. Page still plays beautifally and every now and again it is really well in tune…lol!

#18

I believe Page actually had a CP-80 in the early 90’s (88 Keys). Good synth pianos didn’t really exist at that point, so without the kind of major tour support to move a baby grand, the CP-80 is the best sound they could get. Also, from a player’s standpoint a CP-80 still feels a million times better to play than any digital piano. I love the sound of those old shows.
I believe the rhodes and hohner D6 entered the rig early in '94, but i’m not 100% on that.

#19

the rhodes and hohner are two awsome instruemtns that really added to the phish sound.

i personally really like they toy sound. i feel it adds a kind of authenticity to that era of phish.

#20

I was under the piano at the first show you saw? I don’t remember that at all. I must have had a great gooball…

j/k…