The Time Machine and the Rickenbacker

OPBASSMAN1994 · #1 09-06-2010, 02:01 PM

Okay, I'm going to see Rush for the Time Machine Tour on the 29th. I wanted to know, since they're playing the Camera Eye, Red Barchetta, Working Man, and La Villa Strangiato (all, except maybe Working Man, ones he used the Ric on in studio and out) is Geddy going to break out his old Ric? Anybody know?

jgroh · #2 09-06-2010, 02:03 PM

No he isnt

Bassman316 · #3 09-06-2010, 02:06 PM

I think it was here that I read recently that during rehearsals for the Time Machine tour he played his Rickenbacker but wasn't really getting a sound he liked. It would be cool to see him playing the Ric on the songs from Moving Pictures he recorded it on.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #4 09-06-2010, 02:14 PM

I seriously think Geddy's on something. Not on TO something. He sounds better with that Ric than any tone he gets from the Jazz. But, I guess that's personal opinon. I like a more focused, clear bottom end that is like a punch to the gut, not a thunderstorm. I like crunchy, almost clangy mids that kick through the wall of guitar like Eminem with that brick wall in his "Not Afraid" video. I want crisp, almost clean and very punchy highs. And all coated in a little bit of that sweet overdrive growl that makes the whole thing sound like a beast. Only a Ric can do that. Sorry Geddy, but that Ric sounds better and looks better than the jazz ever will. WHY WON'T YOU PLAY IT!!!!!?????

crucislancer · #5 09-06-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

I seriously think Geddy's on something. Not on TO something. He sounds better with that Ric than any tone he gets from the Jazz. But, I guess that's personal opinon. I like a more focused, clear bottom end that is like a punch to the gut, not a thunderstorm. I like crunchy, almost clangy mids that kick through the wall of guitar like Eminem with that brick wall in his "Not Afraid" video. I want crisp, almost clean and very punchy highs. And all coated in a little bit of that sweet overdrive growl that makes the whole thing sound like a beast. Only a Ric can do that. Sorry Geddy, but that Ric sounds better and looks better than the jazz ever will. WHY WON'T YOU PLAY IT!!!!!?????

Oh, good grief. If he doesn't like the way it sounds, then he won't play it anymore. Period. He's not going to break out that bass for you or anyone else.

And, I don't blame him. If he likes the Jazz more then the Ric, good for him, more power to him. He sounds good no matter what he plays.

It was the past, time to move on. He's trying to.

lijazz · #6 09-06-2010, 03:46 PM

While I will admit that I was not a fan of his Jazz tone in this first decade, he seems to have changed whatever it was that made me not like it (less OD, or no more going direct perhaps?) That being said, his current live tone surpasses all others, and I have seen him play all 4 basses since 1982. Just my $.02, of course. His current tone reminds me of the early-mid 90s sound he used to get from having a backline.

Commreman · #7 09-06-2010, 04:02 PM

I just saw the Time Machine tour at the PNC Arts Center in NJ. No, Geddy did not play the Ric. His tone was fantastic, and the show was great. Rush is in top form for this tour.

Unless having him play the Ric is an absolute requirement for you, you will not be disappointed. From my perspective, the show was magnificent.

Ric5 · #8 09-06-2010, 04:04 PM

He should play the Wal once in a while also.

RTL · #9 09-06-2010, 04:34 PM

I wonder if Geddy is aware of the fact that there are so many people opening (nearly) daily threads about what he should and shouldn't be playing...

Obviously, he's going to play what looks/feels/sounds the best to him, and that will likely never change.

However...

I can't help but imagine what it would be like if I were in that position..

"Yeah, man... Any word on what Ryan's gonna be playing at ____? Last time I saw him, he was playing a Roscoe with a fancy looking top on it. It sounds good, but IMO he sounded better with the Joe Osborn".

"No! You're an idiot! He recorded almost all of those tracks with a Warwick! IMHO, he never should have stopped playing Warwicks. His tone sucks now because he's not using them. If he wanted to be true to the music and the fans, he'd bring the Warwicks back out."

"I can get his tone with my MIJ Squier P."

"Yeah, he should just play a Fender. He'd be a better musician if he played a Fender. Jaco didn't need 5."

"I heard he's Canadian like Geddy Lee, so he should play a Ric! LOLZZ ROTFLMAO OMG BBQH2OCFCNPRBMWLBJNRA
*** mate!"

Seriously, someone should inform Geddy of this. Maybe he could open up a contest: First one to mail me their right eye gets to choose which bass I play for the next tour.

It'll be a hit, I promise!

poorbassist15 · #10 09-06-2010, 08:07 PM

If he won't use it, I wonder where he keeps it. Along with all the basses he never uses. Oh, the ideas.

XigXag · #11 09-06-2010, 08:09 PM

Not at the Columbus show he didn't. A couple of Fenders were played. I couldn't care less. Awesome show.

Tim C. · #12 09-06-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

I seriously think Geddy's on something. Not on TO something. He sounds better with that Ric than any tone he gets from the Jazz. But, I guess that's personal opinon. I like a more focused, clear bottom end that is like a punch to the gut, not a thunderstorm. I like crunchy, almost clangy mids that kick through the wall of guitar like Eminem with that brick wall in his "Not Afraid" video. I want crisp, almost clean and very punchy highs. And all coated in a little bit of that sweet overdrive growl that makes the whole thing sound like a beast. Only a Ric can do that. Sorry Geddy, but that Ric sounds better and looks better than the jazz ever will. WHY WON'T YOU PLAY IT!!!!!?????

Oh my God, do you whack off to Rickenbackers?

**pringlw** · #13 09-06-2010, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim C.

Oh my God, do you whack off to Rickenbackers?

Oh my god that is a funny line.

How do I put a quote like this into my sig? I've seen people do it but haven't figured out how.

Ray man · #14 09-06-2010, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lijazz

While I will admit that I was not a fan of his Jazz tone in this first decade, he seems to have changed whatever it was that made me not like it (less OD, or no more going direct perhaps?) That being said, his current live tone surpasses all others, and I have seen him play all 4 basses since 1982. Just my $.02, of course. His current tone reminds me of the early-mid 90s sound he used to get from having a backline.

Yup, the last ten years his jazz sounded like a meat grinder.
He definatley fixed something this tour, his tone is very close to the sound from the t4e tour.

I guess the chicken roaster is no substitute for an amp.

It's been said that Geddy sounds the same no matter what he plays through, but after hearing him this tour, it's just not true.
Both his ric and his jazz sounded like sh!t on S&A live, why? Because of that unnecessarily complicated set up.
I happen to love the sound of both his basses, but I think his amp gear has far more influence on his tone.
I know Russ Ryan said Geddy's sound is all in his hands, but how much of that sound depends on an amp or DI of some kind? I think alot. If it didn't matter, why not use Fisher Price amplification?

My point is Different stages was all balls, and Rio was all hair. Yet it was the same jazz bass.

Please! No offence to anyone.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #15 09-07-2010, 08:11 AM

1. No I don't get off to rickenbackers

2. It's my opinion. I can have it.

3. I do agree that he sounds great with the jazz. Especially now and on "Different Stages". I love that tone almost as much as the Ric. almost. And I agree that it doesn't matter what bass he plays, he's still the most kick #%$ bass player that ever lived and is one of my absolute bass idols and any show that Rush is playing will be freaking awesome.

4. I really don't care too much about him playing the Ric. i just think he should. I think that it would make a lot of fans happy, and I still think he sounds better with it.

5. I reserve the right to keep posting about the Ric until I see Geddy play it.

Thank you very much.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #16 09-07-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

If he won't use it, I wonder where he keeps it. Along with all the basses he never uses. Oh, the ideas.

Probably at some snow covered estate in Canada, in some temperature controlled room near the studio hanging proudly on the wall.

Or he may hide it in the chicken amps.

I don't really know which.

What the heck does Geddy do with the chicken?

john_martin_sai · #17 09-07-2010, 08:18 AM

Maybe the 'Geddy Lee LE 4001 Rickenbacker' negotiations broke down......(sarcasm - but I'd bet talks were had in the 90's when Ric was doing all kinds of signature models).

OPBASSMAN1994 · #18 09-07-2010, 08:20 AM

Were there seriously negotiations for a sig Ric for Geddy? Or are you being sarcastic/joking? I'm tired so I really would not be in a state of mind to know which.

jgroh · #19 09-07-2010, 08:34 AM

When I saw them on the S&A tour, I thought the Ric (albeit for only one song) sounded better than the Jazz. Ive hated the live Jazz tone for a while now and its because he hasnt been using real amps and cabinets and going DI. His tone was all Sansampy buzz saw with no warmth and very little bottom end, which makes his statement about liking the Jazz over the Ric because of the beastly bottom end curious. Now he is using Orange stuff so that probably accounts for his upgraded tone, though Im sure he is mixing in a healthy dose of that DI setup (yuck). I wish he would dump the Sansamp, go into the Orange amps/cabinets and rely on those for his tone, and get his overdrive from the tubes and not an emulation.

Then again, I wish he would use all his basses on tour (Ric, Jazz, Stein, Wal)

OPBASSMAN1994 · #20 09-07-2010, 09:47 AM

I'm with you there Jgroh. A J never sounds as good through a straight DI setup. I have experienced that firsthand with my church youth band. It sounds okay, but it never seems to feel or sound right to me. I never feel satisfied in it's punch. It just loses the luster I love about it, and I also can't implement my fantastic amp/pedal tone that I love and worked hard to achieve. But then again, it's a youth worship band. They want simple stuff tone-wise. No real surprise there. What are you going to do.

And I didn't know Geddy was using Orange stuff! I'll have to check that out.