Geddy's bass tone

[john_g]

I know that Geddy fans and bass players in general get all hot and bothered over Wal Basses. Personally it’s my least favorite of Geddy’s tones. What is the appeal of Wal Basses? Is it just that Geddy played one? I understand they’re rare and very high quality, but so are a lot of boutique basses.

To each his own. His Wal tone, circa Power Windows, was the "ideal" bass tone I had in my head at the time. I had just started playing around that time and when I heard it, i was blown away. There it is! Thats the tone I want! Took me 30 years, but I finally got my Wal. Funny, when I play it in my band, I dont really use "his" tone...I generally need a fuller sound for cover songs. So it can cover alot of ground sonically. And there are other famous people that have played them too that appeals to others, like Mick Karn, Justin Chancellor, Flea, Macca, etc.

 

[john_g]

Yeah I think he did use the Ric to record Tom Sawyer from what I read correctly.

He used the Jazz on TS, Ric on Red Barchetta

 

[80jazz]

I know that Geddy fans and bass players in general get all hot and bothered over Wal Basses. Personally it’s my least favorite of Geddy’s tones. What is the appeal of Wal Basses? Is it just that Geddy played one? I understand they’re rare and very high quality, but so are a lot of boutique basses.

I think that Geddy got a better tone out of the MKI rather than the MKII, but it also sounded like he had his tone rolled all the way out on that tour. If RtB recordings capture the MKII with the tone wide open, then I certainly don't understand the appeal of those basses.

I don't think I will ever have one, but I think the MKI would make a FANTASTIC fretless.

 

[john_g]

I think that Geddy got a better tone out of the MKI rather than the MKII, but it also sounded like he had his tone rolled all the way out on that tour. If RtB recordings capture the MKII with the tone wide open, then I certainly don't understand the appeal of those basses.

I don't think I will ever have one, but I think the MKI would make a FANTASTIC fretless.

It had a deeper sound, his MKII, but they all have the same electronics. Could have had the filters set differently, I dont know, I liked the tone but thats MO.

 

[ModuMan]

I know that Geddy fans and bass players in general get all hot and bothered over Wal Basses. Personally it’s my least favorite of Geddy’s tones. What is the appeal of Wal Basses? Is it just that Geddy played one? I understand they’re rare and very high quality, but so are a lot of boutique basses.

Hmm, not really sure where to start with this.

First, I would say that Ged's Wal tone isn't really all that representative of what the bass can do. For sure, a lot of people (myself included) probably got interested in the bass because of Geddy. But that's just one player. What pushed me over was hearing Seal's bassist use one (a 5'er) and I thought it was amazing. But that's just me.

So yeah, it ultimately comes down to what resonates with *you*. I hope you get to try one sometime and hear for yourself. It is quite versatile. Ged found his thing on it, I found mine and they are nothing alike!

 

[DigitalMan]

Hmm, not really sure where to start with this.

First, I would say that Ged's Wal tone isn't really all that representative of what the bass can do. For sure, a lot of people (myself included) probably got interested in the bass because of Geddy. But that's just one player. What pushed me over was hearing Seal's bassist use one (a 5'er) and I thought it was amazing. But that's just me.

So yeah, it ultimately comes down to what resonates with *you*. I hope you get to try one sometime and hear for yourself. It is quite versatile. Ged found his thing on it, I found mine and they are nothing alike!

Ged’s Wal tone is a lot about the Wal, but the super bright, snappy, and thin Funkmaster strings play a significant role as well. (Just played Time Stand Still, The Big Money, and The Pass about an hour ago on a Wal with Funkmasters, so my opinion is relatively fresh, and yet still just an opinion)

 

[ModuMan]

Ged’s Wal tone is a lot about the Wal, but the super bright, snappy, and thin Funkmaster strings play a significant role as well. (Just played Time Stand Still, The Big Money, and The Pass about an hour ago on a Wal with Funkmasters, so my opinion is relatively fresh, and yet still just an opinion)

Yeah, the strings definitely played a big part in the tone. To be honest, I think when people say they dislike the tone he had (not me, I liked it!) I think they really mean the strings.

Also, The Big Money is super fun to play!

Last Friday I was playing with some people and the drummer is also a big Rush fan. I have a detuner on my Fender USA Geddy Jazz so in a moment to ourselves I dropped that sucker and we played a bit of Driven together. That's the legacy, right? All of us who have Rush in our musical DNA will find each other and get to have those moments.

 

[Andy Skuse]

Hey guys,
I realize the last post of this thread was over a year ago, but I thought I'd post an update. After absorbing all of Russ's amazing insights into Geddy's bass gear I looked up Russ to see what he might be doing now, and unfortunately he passed away this past September. I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about this from the Rush camp or on social media but I found an obit link and Geddy Lee even left his condolences if you scroll down. Thank-you Russ for all of your unique insights and wisdom! RIP. Russell RYAN Obituary (2021) - Toronto, ON - Toronto Star (legacy.com)

 

[ModuMan]

Weird to "like" that but thanks very much for posting it!

 

[dmccombe7]

Hey guys,
I realize the last post of this thread was over a year ago, but I thought I'd post an update. After absorbing all of Russ's amazing insights into Geddy's bass gear I looked up Russ to see what he might be doing now, and unfortunately he passed away this past September. I don't recall seeing or hearing anything about this from the Rush camp or on social media but I found an obit link and Geddy Lee even left his condolences if you scroll down. Thank-you Russ for all of your unique insights and wisdom! RIP. Russell RYAN Obituary (2021) - Toronto, ON - Toronto Star (legacy.com)

I just came across this thread thru a google search on Geddy's string height and found myself around page 29 and after 3-4 pages i went back to the start when i realised it was Geddy's bass tech on here. Its been so interesting reading so far and will return to page 6 tomorrow.
So sorry to hear the sad news about Russ. Sounds like he was an amazing source of info if you are a Rush and Geddy fan.
RIP Russ.
Dave

 

[Rick_Bass]

I have loved Rush my entire life. when I was in grade 5 I had a rollerskating party at some roller rink in the area here near Detroit. Any way... the lil girls asked what I wanted and I said Rush albums. I got 2112 and ATWAS . and i never ever listened to them I just liked the covers i saw in the store. So after what seems to be ages and giving up the bass for so long... than picking it back up. I got my old Jazz bass back and I got a sweet ass new jazz bass. I think the entire Geddy Tone is Just digging into that Mother F'er --- seriously --- try it.

 

[dmccombe7]

Finally finished reading this full thread and what an amazing work of art its been. It was wonderful having an insight in Geddy and Rush from Russ himself. It doesn't get much better than Geddy's bass tech giving advice to Rush fans. Such a sad loss to us all. RIP Russ.
Learned so much about Geddy and basses.
Been a Rush fan since 76 when i bought 2112. My own influences were initially Jack Bruce, Geddy, Neil Murray and Glenn Hughes and moving onto Richard Sinclair (Camel) Jeff Berlin and a brief spell listening to Percy Jones (that's when i first came across WAL basses and bought a fretless one) I always go back to my Jazz basses tho.
There been a lot of talk thru the thread about Geddy's bass set up but the one question that no-one asked was Geddy's string height. It was the main reason for reading thru the full thread.
If anyone knows i would be very interested to hear. Russ mentioned Geddy liked his strings as low as possible with minimal fret buzz and i appreciate each bass will be different but still made me curious enough to ask.
Dave

 

[sloppy_phil]

Finally finished reading this full thread and what an amazing work of art its been. It was wonderful having an insight in Geddy and Rush from Russ himself. It doesn't get much better than Geddy's bass tech giving advice to Rush fans. Such a sad loss to us all. RIP Russ.
Learned so much about Geddy and basses.
Been a Rush fan since 76 when i bought 2112. My own influences were initially Jack Bruce, Geddy, Neil Murray and Glenn Hughes and moving onto Richard Sinclair (Camel) Jeff Berlin and a brief spell listening to Percy Jones (that's when i first came across WAL basses and bought a fretless one) I always go back to my Jazz basses tho.
There been a lot of talk thru the thread about Geddy's bass set up but the one question that no-one asked was Geddy's string height. It was the main reason for reading thru the full thread.
If anyone knows i would be very interested to hear. Russ mentioned Geddy liked his strings as low as possible with minimal fret buzz and i appreciate each bass will be different but still made me curious enough to ask.
Dave

Scully, one of Ged's longtime techs, is good friends with the guy I take my basses to for serious work. He said Scully sets all Geddy's basses for 4/64" at the 17th fret. It's obviously word of mouth, but I have no reason to doubt this guy. Plus, it seems to be that perfect height to allow for some string clank when digging in, but not a problem when laying back a bit

 

[dmccombe7]

Scully, one of Ged's longtime techs, is good friends with the guy I take my basses to for serious work. He said Scully sets all Geddy's basses for 4/64" at the 17th fret. It's obviously word of mouth, but I have no reason to doubt this guy. Plus, it seems to be that perfect height to allow for some string clank when digging in, but not a problem when laying back a bit

Thaks for that, very much appreciated. Now i'm curious what mine are LOL
I normally set height at 12th fret but i'm guessing it wont be far away from 4/64" at 17th.
Not that it makes a difference as i wont change what i have.
Many thanks for filling in the gap for me.
Dave

 

[john_g]

I went back and reread alot of the early thread and it was a blast from the past. 14 years! I remember trying to ask Russ a bunch of questions so he would keep coming back lol I was only on TB for 3 or 4 months by the time this thread started and having Geddys tech here was amazing. Shame to hear Russ passed....now there is no more Rush either. RIPNEP.