Why did Geddy stop using his 4001?

westtexasrickenbacker · Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:59 am

I've read scattered postings and I also agree that his best work was using the Rickenbacker.

What is the official reason he stopped using it? Someone said it was because of a preference for the low-end of an old Jazz bass he had.

That may be true, but his tone was so good using the Rickenbacker. I didn't like the sound of his subsequent work. Still great playing, but the bass didn't seem to cut through the mix as well.

Perhaps it was just that I didn't like their music as much and quit paying attention to the bass. Who knows.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 10:38 am

This is a topic that has been discussed ad nauseum on this forum.
Prepare for the following debates:

1. No, he used the jazz/Rick for this/that recording
2. The Wal's are OK but Steinbergers REALLY suck
3. Why was there never a signature Geddy 4001/3?
4. Why does my MIJ Fender Jazz Geddy signature model not sound like Tom Sawyer as soon as I plug it in?
5. He also played a 4002 & 3001 from time to time.
6. No, Red Barchetta was the jazz. No, it's the Rick. No, it's the jazz.

Blah, blah, blah...

Welcome to the forum Alex, but suffice to say we'd all be happier if Geddy picked the Rick back up - but it ain't gonna happen.

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:01 pm

He told me that is was simply that as his use of keyboards expanded, he needed the real estate on stage and the headless Steinberger provided that. How he got together with Fender I can't say but I do know he's continued to use the RIC in recording quite frequently.

westtexasrickenbacker · Thu Jul 27, 2006 1:40 pm

Thanks Chris, I'll shut up 'bout the subject now. It's just that I was a big fan of his Ric sound, and let's face it, the 4001/4003 are the most beautiful bass guitars ever!!

And I'm impressed that a certain John Hall has put his two cents (actually more like 2 bucks) into two of my postings today. That speaks volumes about why the RIC Product is so good!

prog_rockin_metal_man · Thu Jul 27, 2006 2:08 pm

Ric basses are the ONLY basses...well for me they are. No other bass comes close to the look and sound of a Ric...every other bass pales in comparison in my eyes. It's to bad Geddy stopped using them his tone on Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage is awesome...so nasty and in your face. And I also like his warmer more mellow tone ala Fly by Night and Caress of Steel.

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:22 pm

No no no! I wasn't insinuating that you shut up at all. My apologies if that was the impression.

We all know when the best era of Rush was...and it all had a Jetglo shine!

westtexasrickenbacker · Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:20 am

Hey there,

No, I was just joking, Chris, yet I do realize that's a tired subject about Geddy. You didn't come across insinuating anything.

Perhaps Mr. Lee will come to his senses soon and start playing that JG again in concert. If his contract with F allows, which it probably doesn't.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:46 am

There's a reason why the bass sounds so good up to a certain point.... 2 words... TERRY BROWN!!!
'Nuff said...

shinynewtoy · Post by **shinynewtoy** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:50 am

Supposedly the Jazz came into use on Moving Pictures because Ged was lloking for more bottom-end in his sound. If only he knew the evils of the .0047... I have an uncapped '77 4001 and a Geddy Jazz, guess which one has more bottom?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:39 am

"There's a reason why the bass sounds so good up to a certain point.... 2 words... TERRY BROWN!!!
'Nuff said..."

Didja ever hear the record he did with Canadian rockers Moist?

He worked on about half of their debut LP & it sounds great!

Love me some Terry Brown...whatever happened to him?!

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:57 am

Amen, Terry Brown fans! You nailed it right on the head. It's not just Rush, he did production for a lot of other bands, Max Webster included, and made THEIR best sounding records with him at the helm. Coincidence? I think not.

icabod · Post by **icabod** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 12:36 pm

I did some recording with Terry, '73ish. he was really cool. Have not heard about him in a long time tho....R

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:46 pm

Yeah everything from Rush after Signals was cack, soundwise. They have been looking for a decent producer since. Counterparts was OK. Nice defined drums and bass...
Lately the story is rubbish mastering and digital clipping.. Hmmm.
Admit you were wrong lads, and ask Tez if he wants to work his magic. It's a marriage made in heaven.
Don't let Alex near the desk either!!! The 'remastered' ESL DVD is a case in point.
There seems to be a trend in music for 'sub' bass and some of the new ESL suffers from this. Listen to some of the discordant bass pedal work. Aaaaagh!! The human ear can't hear those 'low' sounds, it's a waste of time.
One of the 'producers' I have worked with sneaked in some sub bass on my Rick. He didn't realise that the Rick sounds weak on it's own, but when mixed in with other instruments sounds lovely. He just wouldn't be told. Needless to say it ruined the mix.
We haven't hired him again. I KNOW what sound I want... it's called a Rickenbacker!!
Off my soapbox and back to you guys....

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:36 pm

Terry Brown also produced Dream Theater's first few albums, I believe. He was also the voice of the Psychotherapist on their "Scenes From a Memory" album.

When they were planning to do the "Live Scenes From New York" filming, they asked him if he'd be willing to "act" the part of the psychotherapist onstage for them, and he asked them to pay him for it, which they thought was outrageous and rude. So, they got someone else to do it, and in the credits for the "Live Scenes From New York" DVD, it says "A Special NO THANKS to Terry Brown".

Too bad, too; he's a great producer.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:10 pm

Our guitarist likes Dream Theater, I personally think they are rubbish, very cold, no soul!!!