This is another post from the archives that is made possible by a Phish.net flashback post by UCPete and the photographs contained therein, by R. David Guidry, a New Orleans photographer and Phan who was at Tipitina’s for Phish’s 3/3/93 performance at the legendary club.

These photos show us a rig evolving from a simple Guitar –> Amp setup into something that would rely a bit more on pedals to craft the guitar tone.  Of course, it’s a very small rig compared the vast electronic apparatus that powers Trey’s tone today.  And the following year, this collection of pedals and rackmount units would become a professional touring system with a full build-out by CAE and Bob Bradshaw.

The key elements here are tone drivers, rather than delays, reverbs and modulation (although there is a single Microverb perched above the Boogie).  The two Tube Screamers sculpt that mid-range-y lead tone that would come to dominate Trey’s sound in the mid-90s and beyond.  There are two channel switching pedals, as well, allowing Trey to use the Boogie’s three distinct voices: clean, crunch, and lead.  And of course there’s the Ross Compressor, squashing down those two Tube Screamer pedals, which Trey liked to run hot.

Amplification: Mesa Boogie Mark III Long Head; all three channels appear to be in use as there are two foot switches in use. (note: the EQ on this amp is also foot switchable, but I think it’s unlikely that Trey was using that function).

Cabinets: One 2×12 Languedoc wood cabinet.

Guitars: Old Reliable.

Floor Pedals: Ernie Ball Volume, two TS-10 Tube Screamers, Boogie Lead/Rhythm, Boogie Rhythm 1/Rhythm 2, Ross Compressor.

Amp-top: One Alesis Microverb and one unidentified rackmount unit (see below).

Here’s an annotated look at an early iteration of Trey’s pedalboard.
Here’s the amp with two rack mount units on top of it. Can anyone identify the second, larger unit? (update: It’s a Sabine RT-1600 rack tuner unit.  Thanks Tyler!)
Trey at the helm of his ’93 rig with Old Reliable (Blonde No. 1).