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Geddy Lee and Rickenbacker, "a show of hands"

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:36 am
by cygnusbwa
Am I alone on this or not? Would anyone else like to see Geddy Lee play a Rickenbacker again? Heck, any Rickenbacker! I read in an interview that he wondered why people care if he plays Rickenbacker. He had one of the most distinctive bass sounds of all time! Listen to Freewill, The Camara Eye or Anything on Exit Stage Left! His Jazz sounds good but it doesn't come close to a Rick. I've been playing one for 20 years! I didn't get too old to play one. The sound isn't too uncomprimising for me. Geddy sounds great with any bass, but with a Rick, his sound stands out.

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:42 am
by jwr2
Freewill and the trees ... on the original albums he played a ric for those ... then listen to the version on different stages ... something is missing ... the rickenbacker growl ...

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A RICKENBACKER BASS!!!

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:56 am
by cygnusbwa
That's exactly what I'm talking about! Even on Rush in Rio, The Jazz sounds great, but it doesn't come close to his Rick on Exit Stage Left. I think his sound has improved since the Steinberger and Wal years, (sorry to those who like those basses, but this is a Rickenbacker Forum) but it still lacks from the Rick sound.

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:21 am
by wormdiet
As DNDish as the Exit stage Left era was, it appeals to me more than the more recent stuff.

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 12:43 pm
by loendmaestro
I couldn't agree more....

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:25 pm
by r_andrew
I'm not a bass player but I wore out the grooves on that Exit Stage Left LP of mine. The bass Getty played was monsterously awesome. I wasn't aware he stopped playing his Ric...that is a shame.

Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2005 7:38 pm
by jwr2
I believe exit Stage left sound was 100% Rickenbacker and Ampeg ...

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 3:37 am
by cygnusbwa
It was his Rick with Ashley preamps and BGW power amps. That was a GREAT bass sound. IMO, I have never heard a better bass sound.

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:49 am
by iamthebassman
I never could get into Rush, and I grew up in Corpus Christi(hot-bed of fans of AOR **** like Styx, Journey, REO...and Rush)!!
I even bought a couple of their albums over the years but just hated them. Always have.

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 7:59 am
by cygnusbwa
Actually, I'm used to hearing that. You either love them or hate them.

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:07 am
by jwr2
Geddy rocks ... I can listen to him all day ... there are very few musicians who don't like Rush ...

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:11 am
by jwr2
the stuff that bores me is old 60's flatwound Beatles music ...

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:13 am
by iamthebassman
Image ...

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:27 am
by thx1955
I'll admit to both, don't hate Rush, I'd put them in the same "OK" flatwound pile as the Beatles.

Posted: Fri Jan 28, 2005 8:36 am
by cygnusbwa
Jeff, I agree, flatwounds on a Rick defeats the purpose. At least to me. Also, the beatles are boring. I could listen to Geddy all day long. As a bass player, I'm always amazed by his talent.