Flipstick Tremolo Arm by Phil X

[@KfirOchaion]

This is better than any Spinal Tap moment!

[@chuckcarey]

Definitely gos to 11 !!

[@Brutalgruve]

Nailed it

[@grandarchon6969]

Life is more absurd than parody.

[@kperreault420]

Im saying for a couple mins I didn't know if it was fake

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

I like how Fender has a little spring you drop in the hole, before you screw in the whammy bar, that holds it in any position you want. Usually there’s a plastic plug, at the bottom of the hole, that the spring embeds itself into so it won’t fall out when the whammy bar’s not on the guitar.

[@kelleymcbride4633]

I was a stage manager for SXSW for many years and Phil and the Drills played my stage in 2014 and he was an absolute gentleman. Kenny Arnoff (also a total pro in every way!) was sitting in on drums which was a big treat as well. I rented them my drum kit for thier set and in the craziness Phil forgot to pay me the $75 rental fee. In the weeks following the show Phil wrote to tell me that had just landed the Bon Jovi gig and his first show with them was in Austin. He called me when he got in town, I met him and his guitar tech downtown before the show where he paid me and shook my hand. I was so impressed by his honorable action I spent every penny of that money buying us all a few rounds of drinks and he sat in with a local band and played in front of 10 people it was amazing. Phil is a true pro and man of his word and I will never forget it!

[@wizaxed]

That must be the Canadian in him. He seems like an awesome guy...and such a unique player. Would love to catch a Drills show. Arnoff is also a MONSTER.

[@kelleymcbride4633]

@@wizaxedPhil and The Drills with Kenny Arnoff was a killer set they blew the roof off that little patio stage!

[@BeyondTigerMilk]

@@wizaxed cringe

[@BkBk-gy6vr]

Who the hell is Phil

[@freelance_commie]

@@BeyondTigerMilk oh cool! I like to say “cringe” randomly and devoid of any meaning too. I also say things like, “awkward!” And “soooo…that just happened!” Thats cool we are so cool.

[@marcimarcimarci5101]

this was, and still is, the best SNL "guitar problems" skit ever!

[@RyneMurray23]

The song flipping out is amazing 👍🏼🔥

[@wemustbecomemachines2012]

it's the Sham Wow of vib arms

[@zeusdamongoose1062]

I like the Polyphia riffs he's pulling off 30 years before Polyphia.

[@scottycunningham1413]

Lmao but he'd be just another "boomer" to that wanker with the bad haircut

[@mezzafinook]

bro you posted cringe

[@courier11sec]

Yeah at about 1/3 tempo.

[@oopsydaizi3s824]

@@mezzafinook polyphia plays cringe

[@tito.tarantula]

Phil forgot to mention you can cast your guitar into Lake Ontario and catch oversized Big Mouth Bass with the Flipstick attached. I had one made for that exact reason... the red & white of the Frankenstrat attracts bass like crazy. The whammy bar was just too unpredictable.

[@cryptoking7093]

Makes perfect sense... Big Mouth Bass you say? Good to know!

[@bluesoddity2094]

Dude I'm cryin!!!!!!

[@finnmcginn9931]

You'd more likely catch hepatitis and a shopping cart in that lake in the 80s.

[@lucamoqi]

I've probably seen the Flippin' Out video a million times. But man, the full Flipstick video? This is some rare stuff! Thanks man!

[@GregRaven]

Sorry it took me so long to post it. I originally did the digital conversion of the "Flippin' Out" section for Phil after he gave me this tape, but it didn't occur to me until just a few days ago to post the whole thing.

[@odom2142]

The piece at the end is so good! Love the music. Nice, very clean playing too.

[@morgellon7877]

I was just about to comment about that piece at the end, haha. Looked at my phone and saw your comment.

[@christopheroliver148]

Sounds very Dregs-ish. /me = big fan of Steve Morse's work.

[@glengamble526]

I played on the same early/mid 80’s Canadian club circuit as Phil and this was the thing he was known for for years. Apart from, obviously, his insane talent. In fact, a memory about this thing just occurred to me-I remember thinking that the ‘flip stick’ was a permanently installed item due to it being rigid (it looked permanent), and I wondered how he got it into a closed guitar case! 😂 In my defence, I’m a drummer and I was also a teenager at the time 😂

[@bonescheffel7795]

Hi Archie!!!! You know me-sound guy .....

[@glengamble526]

@@bonescheffel7795 hey brother!

[@GOOCHIElicker]

Are you related to frank

[@glengamble526]

@@GOOCHIElicker no but I’ve hear of him.

[@GOOCHIElicker]

@@glengamble526 haha!

[@tradbowseven]

Can’t decide wether this video is insane because of this obtuse device or the fact it had instructions on how to install it.

[@BUNKERJR53]

Obviously the Flipstick didn't go over too big. In my 55 years of being a musician I have never even seen one, installed or not. Must have been a passing phase and it passed quickly.

[@einarabelc5]

It's a joke

[@weisswurstfruhstuck8523]

@@einarabelc5 really? Not so sure about that 😅😂😂

[@michaelshearer3559]

Phil is on another level.

[@Sighdaball]

This is hilarious!! love Phil X! He should do more skits like this!

[@AuntAlnico4]

This isn't a KZbin skit. This is an actual commercial filmed to put in guitar player videos and stuff like that. This is what tv looked like before KZbin.

[@TrevorVogtMusic]

Check out his Fretted Americana reviews!

[@ViciousTuna2012]

@@AuntAlnico4 Lol, no it's not. This was made as a joke.

[@eilliwwasniahc]

The 80s were a crazy time for electric guitar. Every guitar magazine (do the kids today know what magazines were?) Were full of "groundbreaking innovations" and solutions to things that were not really problems. The only thing that survived were Floyd Rose locking vibrato bridges and stratocasters with humbuckers. Maybe flatter radius fretboards...

[@ravenshadowz2343]

There are still magazines, and yes kids know what magazines are. And if not that is on the adults for not taking them to book stores like Barnes & Nobles where they sell them.

[@johnnyghoul8100]

Esp would like a word 🤣

[@nikdrown]

I don’t have it for the shred but recently did a flat radius on my strat because I like the lower tighter action.

[@collinsmith6565]

Is it just me or is that guitar happy to see Phil lol

[@michaelpalermo354]

😂

[@collinsmith6565]

@@michaelpalermo354 😂😂😂

[@chelisteph]

AWESOME and great quality!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@johnfrederick6164]

Omg who is this calm and relaxed dude lol great video Phil is awesome

[@tristangilbert2037]

3:46 now I know where polyphia got there sound from

[@family-accountemail9111]

Ditto he was there years ago ! ( Probably some others as well but errierly similar! )

[@IainFrame]

Seen a few of Phil's videos. He's hilarious and very likable.

[@ykuengl7789]

To solve Phil X's concern, I set up my Floyds (With the original screw-in bar) so that the bar gets caught pointing away from the strings outside the rear end. So I always know where the bar is. I can maneuver it while it's hanging over there or just give it a little push so it flips around back over the strings. You get so familiar with it, you don't even need to look. As soon as I'm done, I just give it a little tug and it goes lock itself up in the resting position. Works amazing for me that way. I'm sure Phil would dig it too... And it looks better than the Flipstix, which is so odd looking. This set-up only works with original FRs, not with the adjustment tightening screw system.

[@fredlight]

Old and great video with the late Randy Coven on bass, RIP

[@EJ_Celis]

After 35 years, he still got the same fire!

[@nigel900]

Brought to 🫵🏻 Cinco! Thanks Cinco! GREAT JOB 👍🏻

[@guitarriffscliffyc8382]

I believe there was luthier in southern ont that helped create this with custom guitars..That may have made guitars for Phil. The guitar store i worked at in Pembroke Ont. had a few. I could be wrong. Either way Phil x is great player. Wish him continued success. And some day to jam with him

[@mr.ormrs.greene9737]

Well that just revolutionized the market, didn't it! Lol I just love Phil!!!

[@danieljones1822]

I remember going to Phil's parents restaurant he used to hold Jam nights there and he would just flip that bar like crazy

[@leadershiphelpdesk510]

Cool!

[@russiangoose7053]

I love the goofy 80's editing in this 😂

[@naga9247]

Ok, wow.. this guy has always been an original! Pretty awesome!

[@westbayk2156]

The 80s had the weirdest, craziest inventions that were supposed to to revolutionize guitar playing. Not too many made it past their first ad in Guitar Player. But the nuttiest thing I ever saw were the drum sets where the shells were molded, stretched, and curved outward. Fn drummers....

[@brandtanderson930]

Not to mention the saweeet knee kicks, fucking killer

[@mesoanarchy]

Phil, as a guitarist and from anyone who talks about him as a person, has never fully gotten his just due. One turn of the A&R rep and he would’ve been a household name like some of the other not-as-talented players of his younger days.

[@lifeworldmusic4855]

This, the hipshot b bender and a regular b bender all on one guitar. Gold

[@larryalex2398]

Boy... that thing really caught on, all the kids are using it.!? First time seeing this. Jeff Beck loved his.🤣 LoL🤣

[@zendragonmindtuner6207]

Wow I’ve never seen this before! Thanks for sharing

[@SurviveTheDay]

That trem bar is a monstrosity. And thus Phil got banned from playing Strat/Superstrat guitars. So this answers the question why Phil now plays Gibson SG style guitars?

[@stratman9449]

yep......the danger of him poking his eye out was just too great....

[@Jammaster1972]

LMAO, oh shit, that's so funny and yet so true.

[@yjersey]

Claro!!! Pues….. OBVIÓ

[@geezerbliz]

"How many times has this happened to you???"

[@ChaseTheHeat]

This is GOLD. This is a SNL skit

[@howardcox2918]

I totally remember Phil X,he reminded me of Ray Gomez meets EVH,hope hes living well and happy

[@petersantospago1966]

I've been playing since 81. I've never once seen or heard of the flip stick... It looks weird because it sticks out but clearly it's the perfect bar. I wonder how it did in sales. Also, Phil is a great salesman...I could see him on a late night sales channel.

[@monmixer]

Right, I was a very active player in the 80's and 90's learning in the the 70's. I was never really into wammy bars though but a lot of other guitarists that I knew were. I have never seen the commercial nor heard of this until now. Then again I may have forgotten. Those were pretty crazy hazy days if you know what i mean.

[@NicholasNorway]

Lol

[@wardkdouglas]

If you've never seen or heard of it.. The sales probably didn't do well lol

[@morgellon7877]

Yeah, I pored over every single 80's and early 90's Guitar World and Guitar Player in my dad's collection and I swear I never saw it advertised. I'm personally not a big whammy player (I usually block it up in the back when my guitar has one), but it does look like the superior choice.

[@Julyo]

Ha ha ha genius !

[@mokeimusic]

I like what he did with the jack plate.

[@cashway0420]

I always thought those bars were just kick-stands for your guitar I didn't know you could play with them

[@godsinbox]

I'd like to see the hard case for that, and the look on customs officers faces as you pass the airport.

[@STRATMAN1969]

🤣

[@patbusnello9658]

I remember seeing Phil X playing at a benefit concert in Toronto, seeing this crazy thing, and wondering: “Did he tear out a piece of plumbing from under his sink to make a whammy bar?! Genius”!! 🚰🎸😆

[@reverendjetstream]

It SCREAMS 80's!!! 😀

[@That70sGuitarist]

I've got two words for you..."Wilkinson Convertible." When you're not using it, the bar is completely out of the way of your knobs and switches, *and* it's locked into stoptail mode. When you want it, just swing it forward and it *instantly* converts to a floater. The second you let it go again, it *automatically* swings back out of the way and locks the bridge into stoptail mode again. Added bonus #1; If you snap a string, the other strings will stay in tune, allowing you to finish the song. Added bonus #2; Virtually no "string dive" (on strings 1-5) when doing big bends, double-stops, etc. You might get a tiny little bit of dive on the 6th string, but that's because it's at the opposite end of the bridge from where the lock bar is.😉 Some people claim that the Wilkinson VS 100-C convertible is "fiddly," or that you have to do a full set-up every 15 minutes, but that has definitely *not* been my experience over the past 25 years. I've played gigs during all the extremes of Canadian weather, and never needed to adjust anything on my Wilky. Just give it enough time to acclimate to the venue, and let 'er rip! Original Wilkinson VS 100-C convertibles are pretty scarce ever since Gibson sued Wilkinson, claiming they violated the Steinberger JamTrem patent (they didn't, actually, but "the judge agreed with Gib$on for $ome unknown rea$on") *but* there's a kit available now that can quickly turn any Gotoh VS 100-G or Jackson VS 100-N to a Wilkinson Convertible. Added bonus #3; Once your intonation is done, the string saddles lock firmly down, thus preventing them from creeping out of true.😉 You'll thank me later.😉

[@cryptoking7093]

Plus, they send you a set of Wilkinson steak knives absolutley free, just pay a separate fee plus shipping, handling and administration fees...

[@That70sGuitarist]

@@cryptoking7093 That's a different company entirely, but hey, nice try!🤣

[@cryptoking7093]

@@That70sGuitarist lol 🤣✌

[@AllofJudea]

@@cryptoking7093 those "handling" fees were always steep

[@cryptoking7093]

@@AllofJudea yep🤣🤘

[@johnmcminn9455]

Randy Coven Sammy says ouch! is an album Phil X was partially responsible for , great moment in 80s guitar

[@osiruskat]

I was about to say that Phil and the flipstick were a standout on that great album.

[@johnmcminn9455]

@@osiruskat Phil wrote it but AL Pitrelli played on it, not sure about the logistics of why? on that one

[@HearGear]

Now we´re talking late 80´s or the early 90´s.. this is cool :D

[@karmaandkerosene_music]

Phil's weight is never fully on his feet for the entire video. So laid back.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

They're kickstands off old Huffy bicycles.

[@CrowaX]

I LOVE THIS

[@petercollin5670]

You'll put your eye out with that thing!

[@davidkay3443]

Wow . How young does Phil look here. What a weird whammy bar. And that 80/90s hair man. Very Mr Big

[@Keith_X]

Not just look. He even sounds younger. Phil is amazing.

[@benswan5583]

If this was the late 80s/ early 90s, he'd only be in his early to mid 20s here. The no beard is throwing me off as well

[@Juaniguitarra86]

Man he is such a killer player, but i cant believe he actually tried to sell this LOL

[@rylieriley]

I like older Phil X better than younger Phil X. 😂 The video, however, is out-freaking-standing! 🤣

[@alessandrogambino420]

I like when people create things. Does it work? For some. Then let's make it. Another person might build up on that idea and so on. Good for you sir, I aprove of your modification. 🤘😎

[@jasonkeaton5140]

was he always a monster? funny now he doesn't use them but still gets the sound of a whammy bar

[@jasonbates2687]

Interesting device but I can see why it never caught on.

[@Eyehook777]

Well, at least we know it was such a great design that he still uses it on all of his guitars! .... Right?

[@jamesnorton7601]

''Yes, folks it also serves as a coat rack''- PhilX

[@michaelpadan6375]

this video must be 30 years old but somehow you can still smell his hair product

[@lgv3051]

Awesome. That's the guitar equivalent of a suicide shifter🤘

[@montyrayza7220]

Great playing at the end however the "flip stick" idea seems so over the top that for a while I thought Phil was pulling off some Babylon Bee type humour ahead of its time. Hilarious yet he sure made use of it !!! That said the same things can be done with a traditional bar. Cheers all

[@airaabbot7933]

He uses knee to work on it, nice. Suppose he can creat a friendly shape. Anyway, this band is awesome.

[@vincenzoerriquenz2356]

A so ingenious solution that causes many more problems than the ones it solves( like the 99.9% of " new Aftermarket Guitar parts")

[@jimtennings5453]

What if I want to hug a bassist while this is attached? You ever think of that Phil? Huh? No you only think of yourself.

[@jeffarcher400]

I just got the idea for a whammy bar that's controlled with a foot pedal. Tiny hydraulic pistons could tension either side of the fulcrum allowing tension to be dropped or raised for any length of time while there's freedom for the picking hand. Drop tunings could be switched instantly and returned to normal pitch accurately. It could be controlled by a wireless signal and look like a wah pedal. Sadly there's nothing so cool as the visuals of the whammy bar and the feel of physically having control hand to string. The audience can relate to reaching down the throat of the beast and yanking it's vocal chords. No music theory required.

[@geraldhartley]

It worked so well, he NEVER uses it anymore. LOL

[@cheesus.crust6954]

does anyone know what brand the white and black guitar with gold hardware is in this video?

[@spudwashington3880]

Or the 802 charvelles that have the push in bar the can be flipped up side down and put back in , it’s basically the same thing . Mines been this way since I was 17 I’m 35 only bar I ever liked. I didn’t know there was a product like this though.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

This will surely be the future rage!

[@guitarrilho502]

I think this might be one of the most ridiculous idea I've ever seen 😂 much respect for Phil tho

[@einarabelc5]

I always got a feeling that Phil is as little nuts. It's the eyes.

[@scottharnish]

I remember Phil had one of these in a Frozen Ghost video.

[@brianwood7237]

Love Phil X But this is pure comedy

[@misterlizard]

slapping your troubles away with a slap-chop

[@burtmantooth8913]

I played in a band with Phil when we were kids. We were called “the rabbits”. We played at a place called “the blue oyster bar”

[@finnmcginn9931]

The one from Police Academy?

[@burtmantooth8913]

@@finnmcginn9931 the one and only

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

You Randy's brother?

[@burtmantooth8913]

@@lorenzodicapo6305 I’m his friend from elementary school. My name is Burt. Nice to meet you.

[@lorenzodicapo6305]

@@burtmantooth8913 nice to meet you. No, there was a guy on tv back in the seventies called Randolph Mantooth. Thought you might be related. Cool about the band though.

[@wildizer]

another great solution is to stick on a left hand trem and play right handed like SRV. then the tremolo arm is always hanging straight down over the saddles within easy reach

[@drake.hansen]

Out of the way until you try to go through a doorway

[@mitchconnerandsometimesjlotoo]

How long has this guy been in his 20s?

[@leoquesto9183]

The upgrade to the flip stick is a CB antenna. Why should the player have all the fun? Now friends and audience alike can yank on that thang! From a distance!

[@jamesha175]

check it out he has an actual Fender Quad-Reverb amp

[@jerrydyer2450]

I remember that. Did Phil ever work for Hafler? I was at a hafler booth at NAMM and the dude had that.

[@alexbostelle287]

He's a straight shooter, first ballot hall o gamer

[@hendrix2478]

This makes hendrix even more bad ass.

[@justinbeech2681]

This is such good news for me , because I was going to have my Appendix removed at my next gig by my guitar players CONVENTIONAL whammy Bar , but this thing is a Game changer , I can’t wait to try it and lose my Appendix too !!!’ 😀👍🎸

[@mattray8767]

I just jam my peener into the strings and make noise, but maybe I can hook it with the Phil X flipstick and jerk it wildly.

[@ryann5247]

he's dead serious about it too

[@jmanxoom]

AKA the kickstand.

[@martist911wasits-not-real4]

Whammy bars are archaic, just like using your hands to hold the toilet paper. This is as useful as the comfort wipe!

[@peteyoung7665]

It looks great to😂

[@andersonpaul1966]

Haha the good ole PhilipStick

[@righty-o3585]

But if you use the little spring that comes with the whammy, like you're supposed to, the bar will stay firm wherever you let go of it.

[@asw7696]

I take it from your comment that you've never used a Floyd Rose. The spring I think you're referring to is the one that goes into the hole in a Fender vintage 'tremolo' block which has the thread for the arm. The spring is compressed against the bottom of the block when the are is screwed in which holds the arm in place. There is no such hole in the block on a a Floyd Rose (in fact the block does not extend directly beneath the arm mounting hole). There are push fit arms and collars available now that will keep the arm in the position it is left in. In any event, that would not solve Phil X's 80s 'problem' as he says the arm is either in the way, or not where he wants it to be. Don't get me wrong, I think the FlipStick is ridiculous, but a little spring is not the solution to his quite specific issues.

[@righty-o3585]

@@asw7696 Ahhh , well . I saw he was playing a Fender and assumed that was the bridge he was using.

[@2FRESH-4U]

I miss how innocent and goofy things used to be

[@mikelilly7285]

First time for 2 things for me....The FlipStick...and a Marshall cab stack sideways. That's enough for the day...

[@SSGSativa]

The cabinet has to be flipped for the Flipstick to function properly😂 In all seriousness, I've done that with my slanted Mesa cabs to the far left and far right of the gig area when using my rig in a specific stereo setup just for slightly better sound direction for the band and the way we all had our gear setup. But it doesn't make too much of a difference really. I'm sure he just did it to stand out more although I do see lots of people that still do that with slanted cabs. Even had quite a few friends have their amp heads on their side but usually it had to do with spacial issues and/or they didn't want to put a different amp head on top of another for the risk of them getting knocked over easier.

[@LeftyPem]

This is a fantastic artifact! Phil should get his original copy transferred with a Domesday capture and vhs-decode software. Would get a bit cleaner picture out of the master.

[@Allguitarinfo]

Phil looks like Mark Slaughter here

[@deanevangelista6359]

A small spring installed in the tremolo arm socket will solve the problem of the arm moving. N