Geddy Lee's first Jetglo 4001

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 6:53 am

Is this the one you're talking about John?
http://www.rusharchive.com/default.aspx?c=1&s=3&i=332

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:14 am

I knew he had 2 jetglos but I didn't know he had one pre '73. I've never seen a pic of that one.

Cole

BTW, I have a few Steinbergers in my collection and they are built like tanks. IMO they aren't junk. They are great little basses. Mucho growl and deep deep bass,yes a little weird and futuristic and not for everyone. OK, carry on with the Geddy thread. I'm not trying to be offensive in any way.

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 7:27 am

Cole: Don't sweat it. Having an opinion, in and of itself, should not be construed as offensive. A lot of people like Steinbergers. I am sure that Rick basses were weird and futuristic back in '57.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:13 am

I had a 75 4001 with small headstock, it is hard to generalize about old Rics, they often had old stock lying around and used it when they ran out of regular stock.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:17 am

The pre-73 he is pictured with was not his "main touring bass", notice it still has the Ric Bridge on it. Most of the pictures the Ric is in show a Badass and a non-full-width inlay. I believe that picture is from the "Fly by Night" tour of 1974. He might have picked up a "new" one along the way. JMO

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:36 am

Chris, that may be the pic I'm thinking of..I thought the bass had a toaster neck pickup too, it's been a long time since I've seen the album. I could be totally wrong about that early 4001, I apologize. It looks as though the bass could be dated to mid '73 at the earliest, I would say that this was his first Rickenbacker bass in this pic.

I don't mean to be harsh about Steinbergers, they have just always seemed flat to me in terms of sound, and yes it's a subjective analysis. As a bass player, I would reach for something else.

They certainly have played a key part in the evolution of the electric bass; I just found it odd at the time that Geddy made this choice over a Rickenbacker. IMO changing to the Wal was a new sunrise for Geddy, and I think you can hear a change in his approach to playing bass when he switched.

I DO miss the Rickenbacker, though I don't think he'll go back.

Geddy himself has said (to paraphrase)"...I don't see what the fascination is about people wanting me to play the Rickenbacker...."

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 8:49 am

I have to agree with him. He has not played one with Rush for over 20 years. It is time to get over it.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:14 am

but the ric sounds better and looks better ...

beatlefan · Post by **beatlefan** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:16 am

Some things look "right" together......

Geddy Lee and a RIC are just one of them...
It just reminds the viewer of better times, of youth , perhaps.....

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:17 am

The chances of Geddy going back to the Ric are like getting McCartney to play the old Hofner again.

[ducking for cover...]

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 10:29 am

Someone told me that his solo album was recorded with an Alembic.

loverickbass · Post by **loverickbass** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 11:57 am

Geddy without a Ric is like Superman without his cape(sp?) Same with Chris Squire, I just don't like seeing him without his Ric.

Cole

leftybass · Post by **leftybass** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:27 pm

I'm pretty sure Geddy used the Jazz Bass on his solo album.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:31 pm

uhhh ... McCartney IS playing his Hofner these days ... and Geddy pretty only plays Jazz basses these days ...

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:42 pm

I guess it's just nostalgia. Geddy is the main reason I got a Rick. The old Exit Stage Left tour film with the 'way too much' red lighting - that did it for me. The sound, the technique, the visual.
I've never owned a Steinberger & they may be fine basses, but aesthetically speaking, a 4001 looks better than a toaster on a stick.