Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

If I'm looking for the old 70's geddy sound what year is my cut off for pickups?

Thanks Brett Bottomley

the pickups were changed from the 60' to 70's and then from the 70's to 80's and then again about 1990 ... the older the pickup the weaker and less windings you have ... if you want the same bass that Geddy played get a 70's 4001 ... the 4003 will be a little louder and have more low end but it will sound pretty much the same ... you can make up for the difference by setting your EQ ...

plus a lot is in the rig geddy used.

Geddy's sound is largely in his technique. The way he strikes the strings and digs in with his fingernails is the core his tone. A 4003 will do the job nicely. You will get the basic tone you want plus the volume and low-end balls that the 70's basses lacked.

Sean and Ted speak the truth, the only notable change on Geddy's basses were Badass bridges, the p/ups wre always factory. The rig he was using at that period in time was VERY important to his sound, Ashly SC-40 preamps and/or API 550 equalizers, the BGW amps and his cabs, the main ampeg cabs were loaded with JBL's..

As a side note, I saw Ted Nugent last nite. He's still the MAN. Anyway,

His bass player is using a Geddy Lee Sig. Jazz Bass...this was the first time I had heard one of these thru a big full-range arena sound system, and I thought it sounded a great deal like Geddy's original Jazz..

The Nuge.. he is a great guitar player.