George Mundy, Electronics Pioneer Behind Phil Lesh’s “Mission Control” Bass, Dies at 79
We’re sad to report that legendary electronics designer George Mundy has died of undisclosed causes. He was 79 years old.
Mundy was vital in the creation of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh’s iconic Alembic “Mission Control” bass, which pioneered the boutique bass as we know it. It was Mundy who created the legendary bass’s intricate filter system.
“The original groundbreaking electronics were made by Lesh’s colleague George Mundy, as an early version of the Alembic Super Filter, designed by Ron Wickersham, and have now been upgraded to the current SF-2 version for less noise and weight,” Jason Scheuner of Osiris PHILters wrote for Guitar World. “Each knob still does exactly what it did in 1974. Mundy was tracked down for consultation and gave his blessing on the updates.”
After leaving Alebmic, Mundy created the Pluto Dual Filter with an innovative pedal that controlled parameters by moving up and down as well as side to side. His work has proven influential throughout the years, even if he never became a household name for gear enthusiasts.
Scheuner remembered Mundy in a post on his Osiris PHILters Instagram, calling him a “kind and brilliant man.”
“George was a huge supporter of this project and a helpful consultant along the way. Without George, this product would not exist,” he wrote. “George will be remembered fondly for his incredible work and contributions at the CERN Laboratories, at Alembic, and for Phil Lesh and the Grateful Dead, but we will also remember him fondly as our friend. Miss you already pal.”
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of George Mundy.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
