Geddy's bass tone

[john_g]

I was just thinking the other day how much I wish I had this access to this kind of info when I was a kid learning guitar and about gear.
Hey, I'm just glad to pass on any info I have. I can't say it's always correct but to my experience, it works for me!

Yes it is awesome and shows how small the world has become with the internet and cell phones etc.

I just wondered on the Jaco set up but guessed he didnt do anything drastic. Like I said before, I could barely tell he was on a fretless on the album so I doubted if he wanted you to dial in special settings for that. I always wanted Geddy to play fretless and hope he does it more in the future, I think his playing lend sitself well to the expressive nature of the fretless. I just got one and I am learning how to play in tune, but it really opens up new possibilities. Listen, if you want me to explain all of this to Geddy, give me his email address or phone number...

 

[glwanabe]

There is absolutely NO change of settings in Ged's rig for any bass. The settings are basically set-up during the beginning of a tour rehearsal using his main 72 bass and stays that way for every other bass he may use. There will be slight differences from each bass and the wireless transmitters used.
Yes, even though you may use the same model of wireless transmitters, they can and usually sound slightly different from one to another. These slight changes are dealt with with the sound engineers. They are mostly concerned with signal levels They want to maintain consistent volume levels. It much easier for them to do this as with today's digital technology.

If a bass sounds different from his main 72, well, it sounds different. It is not eq'ed to sound like his main one, etc. They understand this. It's no different if a guy uses a Les Paul for most of the set but switches to a Strat for one song. He uses the Strat for obvious reasons.

I am probably rambling more than you want to know. I just want to give a little background on how we deal with this. I don't know how much this info helps.

I was just thinking the other day how much I wish I had this access to this kind of info when I was a kid learning guitar and about gear.
Hey, I'm just glad to pass on any info I have. I can't say it's always correct but to my experience, it works for me!

NOPE! It's all good.

 

[Russ Ryan]

That Jaco fretless, to me, is a great sounding bass! We had Fender send us another one but with frets. That one sounds great as well.

When we first got the fretless, Ged just noodle around with it when he wasn't recording. He really liked it and was just into playing a fretless. The producer, Nick, loved it as well and convinced Ged to use it on the album. They decided one after all was said and done in the studio, that Ged was going to record with it the next day.
Ok, this is where my job comes in. Setting up intonation on a fretless guitar for somebody else is a whole new ball game. My experience has shown me that playing a fretless really varies on finger position.
That night, I MADE Ged play the fretless for awhile so I can closely watch where he actually fingers on a whole, where he places his fingers on the fretboard. This took time from his laptop and his Baseball Fantasy Leagues. He understood but man did I get some good looks!
Ged was pretty consistent on hitting the painted fretted lines. That made it easier.

Yes it is awesome and shows how small the world has become with the internet and cell phones etc.

I just wondered on the Jaco set up but guessed he didnt do anything drastic. Like I said before, I could barely tell he was on a fretless on the album so I doubted if he wanted you to dial in special settings for that. I always wanted Geddy to play fretless and hope he does it more in the future, I think his playing lend sitself well to the expressive nature of the fretless. I just got one and I am learning how to play in tune, but it really opens up new possibilities. Listen, if you want me to explain all of this to Geddy, give me his email address or phone number...

 

[Russ Ryan]

Hey All!

I will not be posting for awhile. Busy with new work until Rush starts up. I will have this Sunday and Monday off. It's the Super Bowl! Last time I looked, the spread was 12 to 12 and a half. Gotta think the Giants will cover.

Oh, I guess this has nothing to do with basses and Ged.

Enjoy!

 

[THB_bassman]

Hey Russ...Great to read your thoughts and experiences, and I look forward to more. It's been said many times, but again, Geddy is the reason I first wanted to play bass.

I'll bet most of us would love to have your job! I'm jealous - and glad you're here.

 

[superfunk47]

i know its been said before, but i just have to say it again...

welcome to talkbass, russ. i think i speak for a lot of TBers when i say its really exciting to have you posting here

back on topic...

does ged ever play his other basses? his wals, steinbergers, or rics? like, i know he doesnt record or tour with them anymore (other than the ric for bangkok...i have a question about that too ), but does he ever just noodle on them? or do they just sit on his wal? (haha...bass humor...wall, wal...he...he...)

also, if they play bangkok again for this leg of their tour (please, PLEASE...maybe put in a good word of encouragement, as a TB brother?) is ged going to use the ric again?

sorry for the long post, i get excited

 

[walman01]

I can't always speak for Ged but the chances of him breaking out the Wal are REALLY slim to none.

Hi Russ!! Great to see you here. My name is Steve Chesney. I used to run the Wal Basses web site before Pete got sick and had to close the company. Obviously, I am a little biased to Ged's Wal sound. Has he ever considered putting 45-110's on this Wals. The sound would literally BOOM! It is hard to get a really great bottom with those thin strings. All of my Wals have 40-100's and the bottoms are rich and warm, but with great definition. I was just wondering if Geddy had ever considered having his Wals fitted for thicker strings to move away from the twangy British sound.

Thanks,
Steve Chesney

 

[john_g]

Hi Russ!! Great to see you here. My name is Steve Chesney. I used to run the Wal Basses web site before Pete got sick and had to close the company. Obviously, I am a little biased to Ged's Wal sound. Has he ever considered putting 45-110's on this Wals. The sound would literally BOOM! It is hard to get a really great bottom with those thin strings. All of my Wals have 40-100's and the bottoms are rich and warm, but with great definition. I was just wondering if Geddy had ever considered having his Wals fitted for thicker strings to move away from the twangy British sound.

Thanks,
Steve Chesney

Hi Steve,

Looks like Russ is off to work but I think he answered me some posts ago...the chances of Geddy using the Wal again are slim to none (in his words) Its a shame because the Wal tone is my, and alot of other people's around here, favorite tone of Geddys. I wish I had one!

 

[Russ Ryan]

I have today to post as the work I was supposed to do today got canceled. We are getting blasted in Toronto with a major snow storm!
Steve, Ged has never used the Wal since I've been with him and I never worked with one with anybody else. I say he'll probably never use one on tour but who knows. I will certainly take your tips if he ever breaks it out again and if I tour with another artist that uses a Wal. Thanks for that.
I appreciate this stuff because I learn something new.

Hi Russ!! Great to see you here. My name is Steve Chesney. I used to run the Wal Basses web site before Pete got sick and had to close the company. Obviously, I am a little biased to Ged's Wal sound. Has he ever considered putting 45-110's on this Wals. The sound would literally BOOM! It is hard to get a really great bottom with those thin strings. All of my Wals have 40-100's and the bottoms are rich and warm, but with great definition. I was just wondering if Geddy had ever considered having his Wals fitted for thicker strings to move away from the twangy British sound.

Thanks,
Steve Chesney

 

[Russ Ryan]

I have no idea if Ged picks up other basses. I don't know if they are going to play Bangkok again and if they do, I don't know if the Ric will be used. I won't know this until we start rehearsals and YOU ALL won't know this until the tour starts!!!

i know its been said before, but i just have to say it again...

welcome to talkbass, russ. i think i speak for a lot of TBers when i say its really exciting to have you posting here

back on topic...

does ged ever play his other basses? his wals, steinbergers, or rics? like, i know he doesnt record or tour with them anymore (other than the ric for bangkok...i have a question about that too ), but does he ever just noodle on them? or do they just sit on his wal? (haha...bass humor...wall, wal...he...he...)

also, if they play bangkok again for this leg of their tour (please, PLEASE...maybe put in a good word of encouragement, as a TB brother?) is ged going to use the ric again?

sorry for the long post, i get excited

 

[glwanabe]

Russ,

I have a question that you may not be able to answer.

On the Rio DVD, during the song Driven, Geddy is playing a black CS jazz with a red tort guard. It appears this bass has a vintage style bridge on it as well.

Can you tell me what you know about this bass, if anything at all?

 

[sturmvogel]

Hi Guy's,

I just realized after reading some of the posts I have done, my spelling and grammar is atrocious. I'm really new to this so please bare with me!

Thanks

You SURE you're not from San Francisco? (I believe it is "bear")

I have really enjoyed what you have shared with us. I look forward to more...Thanks!

 

[Russ Ryan]

Jesus! You're killing me here! Yes you are right and I think I was on my second Scotch.
Please "BEAR" with me. Thanks for that. Too funny!

You SURE you're not from San Francisco? (I believe it is "bear")

I have really enjoyed what you have shared with us. I look forward to more...Thanks!

 

[walman01]

I have today to post as the work I was supposed to do today got canceled. We are getting blasted in Toronto with a major snow storm!
Steve, Ged has never used the Wal since I've been with him and I never worked with one with anybody else. I say he'll probably never use one on tour but who knows. I will certainly take your tips if he ever breaks it out again and if I tour with another artist that uses a Wal. Thanks for that.
I appreciate this stuff because I learn something new.

Hi Russ,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Geddy's Wal tone was just pristine. I will admit that the thin strings did not help the bottom end. Flea used a Wal on Blood Sugar Sex Magic and that tone was just sublime!! I think the Fender serves Geddy's style better at this point in his evolution as a bass player. However, when they played The Pass during Vapor Trails Tour, the song just screamed for a Wal. I must say that I the tone of Geddy's Fender on Snakes & Arrows was much improved! I saw them in Tampa last June with my 8 year old daughter (she LOVES Rush), and the overall sound was simply incredible, the best I have ever heard. Did they do something different regarding sound for the Snakes & Arrows?

Thanks again for answering all these questions for us Rush fanatics!!

Steve Chesney

 

[Russ Ryan]

Yep, you are right. I forgot about this bass. I actually had to throw in the DVD to remind me.
That bass was sent to Ged at the start of the second leg of the Test For Echo tour in 97. I was new to Rush and Geddy. After production rehearsals, he wanted to try the bass and get the FOH engineer's opinion on how it sounded. They both thought it sounded good and had great sustain. You must know that this was my second day meeting and working with Ged. He didn't know me and I didn't offer any opinions at the time. He just gave me the bass after that and said don't change anything and wants to use it on Driven.
I'm the new guy and want to make a good impression and said 'Yes sir'. I was still learning about what Ged likes. The Badass was never mentioned even to this day. It's just a CS.

Russ,

I have a question that you may not be able to answer.

On the Rio DVD, during the song Driven, Geddy is playing a black CS jazz with a red tort guard. It appears this bass has a vintage style bridge on it as well.

Can you tell me what you know about this bass, if anything at all?

 

[glwanabe]

Yep, you are right. I forgot about this bass. I actually had to throw in the DVD to remind me.
That bass was sent to Ged at the start of the second leg of the Test For Echo tour in 97. I was new to Rush and Geddy. After production rehearsals, he wanted to try the bass and get the FOH engineer's opinion on how it sounded. They both thought it sounded good and had great sustain. You must know that this was my second day meeting and working with Ged. He didn't know me and I didn't offer any opinions at the time. He just gave me the bass after that and said don't change anything and wants to use it on Driven.
I'm the new guy and want to make a good impression and said 'Yes sir'. I was still learning about what Ged likes. The Badass was never mentioned even to this day. It's just a CS.

Thank you,

Love the tone of that bass!!

 

[Russ Ryan]

Steve, before I reply, are you talking about the sound of the album, live show or both? I just want to make sure.

Hi Russ,

Thanks for the prompt reply. Geddy's Wal tone was just pristine. I will admit that the thin strings did not help the bottom end. Flea used a Wal on Blood Sugar Sex Magic and that tone was just sublime!! I think the Fender serves Geddy's style better at this point in his evolution as a bass player. However, when they played The Pass during Vapor Trails Tour, the song just screamed for a Wal. I must say that I the tone of Geddy's Fender on Snakes & Arrows was much improved! I saw them in Tampa last June with my 8 year old daughter (she LOVES Rush), and the overall sound was simply incredible, the best I have ever heard. Did they do something different regarding sound for the Snakes & Arrows?

Thanks again for answering all these questions for us Rush fanatics!!

Steve Chesney

 

[walman01]

Steve, before I reply, are you talking about the sound of the album, live show or both? I just want to make sure.

I was talking about the live show. Simply incredible. It really sounded like a CD in Tampa. But now that you mention it, the album had a cleaner quality than Vapor Trails.

Thanks Ryan!

Steve Chesney

 

[Russ Ryan]

I'm sure our FOH engineer will appreciate your kind words Steve. The only change in Ged's rig from Vapor Trails and the R30 tour is Ged swapped out the Sansamp RBI preamp for the newer Sansamp RPM preamp. Ged thought it sounded a little better overall. He also rolled back the Drive (distortion) level on the Sansamp quite a bit for the tour and I think the album as well.

I was talking about the live show. Simply incredible. It really sounded like a CD in Tampa. But now that you mention it, the album had a cleaner quality than Vapor Trails.

Thanks Ryan!

Steve Chesney

 

[Russ Ryan]

Hey Guys!

For whatever it's worth, some of you have posted that I have the "dream' job. Yes I do, and I am so lucky in my biz to have it. Once again, I must stress in my biz.
Guy's, you don't know what I have had to deal with other artists I have worked for over the years. You know I won't mention names. You guys have gone through crap in your respective employment. I say this as It is a job. You may think I have the great life but it's no different than any body else.
I'm almost 47 years old and there is nothing pleasant about some 20 year old, green haired guitar player screaming at you for a reason you have know idea about!
I've had cups, bottle, SHOES (that's always my fave), drumsticks ( I'm not even the drumtech), spit, etc, thrown at me or I have seen it with other techs. Guy's, I mess up once in awhile. I think we all do it at our job. We are all human. I go on about RUSH as THEY would never do that.

Do you still want my job? Okay, the money's good but sometimes....