50-something tour

[Greenman72]

So....last weekend, I got to watch Rush in Fort Worth. I haven't been to many concerts, but this was easily the best.

I tried to keep track of all the instruments Geddy Lee played. He started with a double-neck guitar/bass, then switched to "just" basses.

I counted at least seven different ones:
1. A blue-green Ric
2. A black jazz bass with "silver tort" pickguard.
3. A silver jazz bass
4. A green jazz bass
5. An orangey one that I couldn't make out. I think it was something Gibson-ey.
6. A reverse Thunderbird.
7. A "regular" Thunderbird.

Which brings me to a question--why so many basses?

I can understand that the Ric and Jazz and Thunderbird all sound different from each other. (Whether anybody can really notice the sonic difference is another question.) But why do you need multiple of (what seems to be) the exact same instrument?

(Not being a smartass. This is a genuine question from a non-performer.)

And yes--Lifeson also changed instruments frequently. Seemed to be mostly Les Pauls, but I did see a Telecaster once. I'm not nearly as well-versed on guitars.

 

[WayneP]

Let’s see:
Different strings (i.e. rounds vs. flats)
Non-traditional tunings (i.e. D, G, C, F)
Combinations of the above

Seven does seem like a lot though. But if it’s only for sonics, like you I have my doubts how much of it would come through in a big auditorium.

Maybe someone familiar with their music can give some insight – not a fan myself.

Or maybe he's just showing off some of his collection.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Ecclesia: Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide
Administrator, Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
My Basses

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'm guessing he figures this is probably his last tour, why not play everything he likes.

 

[5StringBlues]

Rock star\gear whore

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I'd do the same thing.

 

[longfinger]

So....last weekend, I got to watch Rush in Fort Worth. I haven't been to many concerts, but this was easily the best.

I tried to keep track of all the instruments Geddy Lee played. He started with a double-neck guitar/bass, then switched to "just" basses.

I counted at least seven different ones:
1. A blue-green Ric
2. A black jazz bass with "silver tort" pickguard.
3. A silver jazz bass
4. A green jazz bass
5. An orangey one that I couldn't make out. I think it was something Gibson-ey.
6. A reverse Thunderbird.
7. A "regular" Thunderbird.

Which brings me to a question--why so many basses?

I can understand that the Ric and Jazz and Thunderbird all sound different from each other. (Whether anybody can really notice the sonic difference is another question.) But why do you need multiple of (what seems to be) the exact same instrument?

(Not being a smartass. This is a genuine question from a non-performer.)

And yes--Lifeson also changed instruments frequently. Seemed to be mostly Les Pauls, but I did see a Telecaster once. I'm not nearly as well-versed on guitars.

Geddy Lee owns a lot of instruments. Like a lot.
See "Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass"

He's on a big money tour, maybe his last.. he has techs and roadies to handle all the logistics of so many instruments, and he has the money to pay them.

Yeah, just for the fun of it, is good enough a reason.

 

[Heiwa]

Different tunings and different strings.

I find extremely boring when a band plays an 1 or 2+ hour show and I have to watch the same clothes or guitars for the whole show.

 

[MovingPitchers]

That "silver tort" pickguard is more easily known to us nerds as "white pearloid." That black Jazz Bass is his Number 1, a 1972 Fender Jazz that had the neck replaced with a CS neck as his original one was worn out too much.

Nowadays that seafoam green 1962 Jazz seems to be his favourite though!

 

[scuzzy]

i have a drop in the bucket compared to Geddy's collection, but when I do play long sets, and they fit the bill, I will play several just to play them. I like all my basses, and I like to use them.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Let’s see:
Different strings (i.e. rounds vs. flats)
Non-traditional tunings (i.e. D, G, C, F)
Combinations of the above

Seven does seem like a lot though. But if it’s only for sonics, like you I have my doubts how much of it would come through in a big auditorium.

Maybe someone familiar with their music can give some insight – not a fan myself.

Or maybe he's just showing off some of his collection.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Ecclesia: Unique Arrangements of Hymns, P&W Standards, and Original Tunes
Make Your Own Cables: A How-To Guide
Administrator, Official Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Official Heartfield Club #36
Administrator, Official Tobias Club #133
Administrator, Official Pre-Gibson Tobias Owners Club
Fretless Club #943
Big Cabs Club #23
My Rig: Stage and FOH Friendly
My Basses

7 is cute; he brought out like 25 different basses on their R40 tour in 2015...felt like he had a different bass per song...

 

[DrBnz]

WHY??? Cause he can. I don't think I'd play just one if I have a stable full. Got let em all out to run and breathe.

 

[pbass2]

I'm guessing he figures this is probably his last tour, why not play everything he likes.

I agree. He's having fun. He certainly doesn't "need" those instrument changes. It's part of the show too obviously, makes for another visual component. And lots of Rush fans are musicians, so I'd wager he's also doing it for his fellow gear geeks to some degree.

 

[SC Bassboy]

Geddy Lee owns a lot of instruments. Like a lot.
See "Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass"

He's on a big money tour, maybe his last.. he has techs and roadies to handle all the logistics of so many instruments, and he has the money to pay them.

Yeah, just for the fun of it, is good enough a reason.

Exactly. He started taking more basses on tour for R40, which was around the time when he got serious about collecting and writing the "BBBB". I would bet that almost every bass he used on stage the other night is in that book. It's an incredible detailing of the history of the electric bass guitar. Plus, the book is heavier than a Peavey T-40, so it doesn't move around much. Always where I left it.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Exactly. He started taking more basses on tour for R40, which was around the time when he got serious about collecting and writing the "BBBB". I would bet that almost every bass he used on stage the other night is in that book. It's an incredible detailing of the history of the electric bass guitar. Plus, the book is heavier than a Peavey T-40, so it doesn't move around much. Always where I left it.

I know what I'm using to defend myself in a zombie apocalypse haha!

 

[Fuzzbass]

i have a drop in the bucket compared to Geddy's collection, but when I do play long sets, and they fit the bill, I will play several just to play them. I like all my basses, and I like to use them.

Totally get what you're saying, I try to rotate my collection, but I'm too lazy to swap within the same gig. OTOH if I had Geddy's stage crew to fetch them for me and take care of logistical issues such as output differences, I'd swap as often as he does!

 

[Lammchop93]

Because Geddy is a bass collector his band is big enough to afford bringing them all on the road and sharing them with his audience.

I love it!

 

[DrBnz]

And doesn't that enhance their value a bit. I mean it's not enough to own a bass that was previously owned by Geddy. But he played "that one" on tour.

 

[RGerhart]

Well, because...why not? He's Geddy Lee.

 

[Substrate]

I also saw Rush in Fort Worth. Geddy seemed to get about two songs per bass (unless you count all of the 2112 suite as seven songs.) Part of it is no doubt "because he can." But, given how he was wailing on those things, they probably needed to be retuned every couple of songs anyway.

 

[winston]

Well, it signals that he's making big money in the limelight and the camera eye, gotta hit the subdivisions within those mystic rhythms before the countdown to losing it begins. Time doesn't stand still, you know?! He's not beholden to your middletown dreams!