Geddy Lee's Rickenbackers

[2112]

Reading a recent interview with Ged about 4001's he says, he loved the treble sound, but he just couldn't get a decent bottom end sound out of it, along came the Jazz and it was easy to get that general sound he was looking for. He goes onto mention he's been playing a Jazz longer than a 4001, but he's always associated with the 4001.

He was cutting his cloth with that Rickenbacker. The Jazz Bass made it on record in 1980 and onstage in 1981.

[atomic_punk]

Having seen them on the Time Machine tour, I would say it's time for Ged to re-evaluate his bass sound. If he is going for bottom end, he had none when I saw him, but lots and lots of "Clank".

[rickenbrother]

Having seen them on the Time Machine tour, I would say it's time for Ged to re-evaluate his bass sound. If he is going for bottom end, he had none when I saw him, but lots and lots of "Clank".

That and complete lack of low end on several of the post 4001 albums and concerts are why I don't buy Ged's story in the magazine.
The very best music of Rush was made when Geddy used his 4001 and that's why he'll always he associated most with it.

[johnallg]

Well, he does have this deal to keep him playing his Jazz....

http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0257702306

[nukebass]

When I saw the 30th anniversary tour and he played the Rickenbacker, it sounded the same as the Jazz. At this point, everything they play live sounds the same (I'm including the guitars, too) because the signals are so processed I think you lose the actual bass sound. When I saw the Time Machine tour he had a couple of new Jazz basses.

I think he switched because he likes the Jazz bass. It seems pretty simple to me, at least.

[2112]

When I saw the 30th anniversary tour and he played the Rickenbacker, it sounded the same as the Jazz. At this point, everything they play live sounds the same (I'm including the guitars, too) because the signals are so processed I think you lose the actual bass sound. When I saw the Time Machine tour he had a couple of new Jazz basses.

I think he switched because he likes the Jazz bass. It seems pretty simple to me, at least.

That was the Snakes & Arrows tour 2007-2008.

If the Rick isn't in stereo to get EVERYTHING out of the bass that can be obtained tone-wise, then, yes, it is going to sound not as good.

It does sound good on the S&A live video for A Passage to Bangkok.
You can hear that old tone, in a way.

[sunsetjunk]

Hey guys
This fairly recent video of Geddy playing his Ric is pretty good.

[jps]

It does sound quite good!

[nukebass]

It does sound good on the S&A live video for A Passage to Bangkok.
You can hear that old tone, in a way.

I did see a video of that somewhere and it sounded completely different than I remember it sounding when I saw them live.

[FretlessOnly]

Hey guys
This fairly recent video of Geddy playing his Ric is pretty good.

That's his 4003 (see the split PG); as someone posted earlier, perhaps one of the earliest?

In any case, that tone is just killer. Reminds me of '77 blasting A Farewell to Kings and my mother complaining...

[Ontario_RIC_fan]

Hey guys
This fairly recent video of Geddy playing his Ric is pretty good.

That's his 4003 (see the split PG); as someone posted earlier, perhaps one of the earliest?

In any case, that tone is just killer. Reminds me of '77 blasting A Farewell to Kings and my mother complaining...

I think the bass Geddy is playing in the S&A tour video is his 1978 4001. It has the bad *** bridge with the black surround..

[nukebass]

It has the wider spacing between the pickup and neck, too, so it definitely isn't an early 70s model.

[bassduke49]

Brian, where'd you find that photo? Did you shoot it? I'd like to find the source and seek permission to use it in "my project."

[ricosound]

Hey guys
This fairly recent video of Geddy playing his Ric is pretty good.

Quintesential Rick tone. The reason half the 50-somethings on this forum play bass is Geddy's early stuff like this.

[rickaddict]

Brian, where'd you find that photo? Did you shoot it? I'd like to find the source and seek permission to use it in "my project."

That is a great photo, isn't it?

It very clearly shows the Badass bridge and Grover Titan tuners too.