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how to that "Geddy" sound
- Thread starter bitter1
- Start date
1 Fender Jazz Bass circa 1972
4 Fender Jazz Basses circa 1996 (Custom Shop)
2 Avalon U5 Tube Direct Boxes
2 SansAmp R.B.I. Bass preamps by Tech 21
2 Palmer PDI 05 Speaker Simulators
Trace Elliot Quatra-VR power amps
Here is Geddy's Rig! as can be found at http://www.rush.com
4 Fender Jazz Basses circa 1996 (Custom Shop)
2 Avalon U5 Tube Direct Boxes
2 SansAmp R.B.I. Bass preamps by Tech 21
2 Palmer PDI 05 Speaker Simulators
Trace Elliot Quatra-VR power amps
Here is Geddy's Rig! as can be found at http://www.rush.com
His 'sound' (although slightly influenced by the hardware) comes from his fingers. He doesn't fingerpick the traditional way (traditional: allowing the string to vibrate cleanly with no string and fret interference noise)
He uses a more aggressive motion, pushing strings toward the body with his right hand fingers which causes the string to purposely rattle against the fretboard. This rattling effect, when done cleanly and with proper eq, give the Geddy growl. His fingers are in very good shape and to play with this technique for any length of time, they have to be. I guarantee a Rick, a Jazz, or a Steinberger won't give you the "Geddy" sound as much as the above technique will.
Good luck.
He uses a more aggressive motion, pushing strings toward the body with his right hand fingers which causes the string to purposely rattle against the fretboard. This rattling effect, when done cleanly and with proper eq, give the Geddy growl. His fingers are in very good shape and to play with this technique for any length of time, they have to be. I guarantee a Rick, a Jazz, or a Steinberger won't give you the "Geddy" sound as much as the above technique will.
Good luck.
Agreed. Geddy's sound is 90% in his hands. He has used a variety of rigs, basses, and recording equipment over the years yet still has that instantly recognizable sound.bimplizkit said:His 'sound' (although slightly influenced by the hardware) comes from his fingers. He doesn't fingerpick the traditional way (traditional: allowing the string to vibrate cleanly with no string and fret interference noise)
He uses a more aggressive motion, pushing strings toward the body with his right hand fingers which causes the string to purposely rattle against the fretboard. This rattling effect, when done cleanly and with proper eq, give the Geddy growl. His fingers are in very good shape and to play with this technique for any length of time, they have to be. I guarantee a Rick, a Jazz, or a Steinberger won't give you the "Geddy" sound as much as the above technique will.
Good luck.
aaand of course the fact he can sing in sounds no normal human being should be able to. it's almost unfair lol
No doubt a lot of Geddy's sound comes from his aggressive right hand tehnique. But in my days of Rush fandom I also found that the Geddy Lee sound came from dialing in some midrange and blending in favor of the bridge pickup. That with a hard right hand gave that twangy snappy midrangey sound that is so much Geddy's.
He also uses a sort of "flamenco" type fingerstyle in his playing. Im trying to get that down now. Hard stuff.
I've managed to get a Geddy tone at will, I can also get some Wooten or Jaco or whatever in many situations 
. The fingers themselves don't matter much, it's how one controls and forces them. Uh huh.
. The fingers themselves don't matter much, it's how one controls and forces them. Uh huh.
