Geddy - I prefer the Rickenbacker to the Jazz

[ronlitz]

IMO, Geddy's tone reached a peak when he was using his Rickenbacker on Hemispheres and Permanent Waves. Just curious to see if anyone else feels this way. The Jazz on Moving Pictures isn't terrible - but I think the Ric is better. The Ric has more mid-range and less bottom, which I think gives it more "growl", and makes it sit better in the mix. The Jazz has a big muddy bottom, no mids, and a very brittle high end with lots of fret clicks. Yuck.
An example of his awesome Ric tone is the break in "The Trees" - in this clip, at 2:55 - 3:12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWHEc...eature=related

Sure wish he'd either go back to the Ric, or use the Jazz and try to dial in something more like the Ric tone and dump the nasty buzz-saw on top of mud tone he's been using for awhile now.

[I<34080]

What an original idea.

[crucislancer]

As far as I’m concerned, he sounds great no matter what he uses.

[12bass]

Meeeeeeeee twoooooooooooooooooo!

[Rick Robins]

I like what was used on Red Barchetta & Lime Light. I found the sound of his WAL basses to be the most unique though.

[phillipkregg]

Everyone knows he should really be using an SX.

[Chrisk-K]

When I think of Geddy, I think of his black Ric.

[Disco Batman]

I've always prefered the beefier Jazz tone, and having just seen them on this tour he has never sounded better.

[deutschmarc]

how about he tries using a six or eight string bass just to shake things up a bit, that would be interesting.

[trayner1]

I think the peak of his sound, where it was just balls-to-the-wall awesome (with flanger, too!) was in Hemispheres' "La Villa Strangiato". I saw them live a few weeks ago and it just wasn't the same with the J.

[trayner1]

^^Correction: he's using a Wal in LVS

[crucislancer]

Originally Posted by trayner1

^^Correction: he's using a Wal in LVS

No, Rickenbacker.

[Darkstrike]

Whatever he used on Driven from Test For Echo, jazz, right?

[Tommygunn]

Ummm.... I like the "working man" tone he had on the pbass the most.

IMHO

[I<34080]

Originally Posted by trayner1

^^Correction: he's using a Wal in LVS

He didn't get a Wal until Power Windows.

[pringlw]

Originally Posted by trayner1

^^Correction: he's using a Wal in LVS

?? Maybe he did when he performed it live in 1987 or something, but the studio recording is pure Ricky.

[waynobass]

I'm sure Mr. Lee will read this post and switch back to the Rick for you.

[jgroh]

I dont think they even made Wals when they wrote LVS??? lol If they did it was real close.

Yeah, it was mostly Ric up until Permanent Waves then the Jazz came in. Then the Wal on Power Windows to Roll the Bones, and the Jazz ever since. I like the old Jazz tone. Alot of it is that he doesnt use alot of real amps and cabs anymore especially live (although he is supposedly using the Orange stuff now but Im sure he mixes in the DI/Sansamp stuff as well...which I hate)

[pringlw]

I must confess I agree with the OP. There's a little part of my brain that always imagines Geddy with his Rick. I watched them live in Columbus this weekend and I was hoping he'd break it out at least once. Nope.

To me the quintessential Geddy Ricky sound is on Freewill - particularly the bass solo at 3:04 in this performance;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpCASVFyQoE

I'd give Geddy my 4003 today if he would use it and discard the J-basses. I'm guessing he won't take me up on the offer tho.

[EriktheRed]

Can someone indulge this rookie and tell me what a Wal is?