Not the greatest picture, but what is it??

Here's a better pic, but it's not Phils actual bss.

Okay I got it. It's a Ritter...
 
http://www.ritter-basses.com/ritter-basses-baesse/ritter-basses-jupiter.htm

Interestingly, there's another thread on this topic with the same thread name in this same section of the board here.  I guess that suggests that this bass is attracting some attention.

Yep, I reckon so....

Do you like the Ritter bass?
It used to live in Suess' place!
He played it morning, noon, and night,
It gave the neighbors such a fright!
They heard him play it in a box
They saw him play it with a fox
He used to play it in the rain
He even played it on a train
Now Phil is playing it, what do you think of that?
The head Friend's Bass made by the Cat in the Hat!
 
hehehehe
 
Bill, tgo

I'm sure Phil likes it, but I have to say it's not my cuppa joe.  Looks like a piece of bubble gum pulled into weird shapes to me, but each his own.
 
Alan

I've been able to play a few Ritters, and they always felt somewhat unfinished, imho, for lack of a better term.  I'm guessing his is pretty well setup though.
 
John

You shouldn't always judge things by their looks, but that thing looks like the north end of a south bound skunk.  Although Alembics often have unconventional shapes, I've never been a fan of weird shaped instruments.  Alembics look classy and sort-of antique (to my eye anyway).

I had a weird dream about this bass last night...I imagine it was only because phils vibes are so strong...He had it strapped to a motorcycle after a gig...I can only guess what my impression of the ritter would have been if he pulled it out during a show while I was terrapin....er...trippin'
 
lotsa love to ya Phil!  
 
Has he done any recording with this one ?  
 
 It must be comfy to play despite the deep sea creature appearance.

interestingly... the following nights he was back on his modulous from the photos in philzone

Last nite on the Rothbury webcast he was playing the Ritter all nite long, and it sounded great..

I recently acquired a Ritter Classic in a trade with a fellow Alembic Club member. It is a top-notch instrument, and stunning, too boot. It's all birds-eye maple, and as you might guess, very bright sounding. So I put GHS Brite Flats on it to tame it a little. The only gripe I have with it is that it is a VERY wide 5-string neck. So I adjusted the bridge to get the strings closer together. it plays like a dream.

Some good pics....