Aw, Russ. I know it ain't all peaches, but it's gotta beat a lot of things. I know you appreciate it, as would I...and you MUST be pretty good at it. I'm sure Geddy could have anyone.
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Geddy's bass tone
- Thread starter rickenbaker
- Start date
Hi Russ,
I have learned that there is no such thing as a dream job, even if all of us envy what you do. I am sure you have to take the bad (prima donna 20 year old bass players with no talent) with the good (Geddy Lee). But I am sure even Geddy has bad days. I must say I was happy to hear that you were his bass tech and he got rid of Jimmy Rhodes, whom I have met before. BTW, is Skip Gildersleeve still involved with the band's live production? He used to be the bass tech before Jimmy if I remember correctly.
Steve Chesney
Russ, I have to ask, were you a big Rush fan before you got that gig? If yes, how long does being "star struck" last, or did you ever have that? ( I know I would be all goofy about it!)
I think the main reason I think I'd love your job is not because it's easy (I'm sure it's not all that easy) but just for the chance to hang with a guy who is IMO the greatest ever!
And once again, I am glad you're here sharing with all of us.
Thanks!
I think the main reason I think I'd love your job is not because it's easy (I'm sure it's not all that easy) but just for the chance to hang with a guy who is IMO the greatest ever!
And once again, I am glad you're here sharing with all of us.
Thanks!
Steve,
Way out of line with your comment about Jimmy Rhodes. Ged NEVER got 'rid' of Jim Rhodes. Jim is a good friend of mine and he left Rush to pursue other endeavors. He wanted off the road and is doing well.
RR
Way out of line with your comment about Jimmy Rhodes. Ged NEVER got 'rid' of Jim Rhodes. Jim is a good friend of mine and he left Rush to pursue other endeavors. He wanted off the road and is doing well.
RR
Nope, I was never a big Rush fan. All my friends in High School in the mid to late 70's, were BIG Rush fans and would always ask me to go when they played MLG in Toronto. I appreciated their musicianship, but never went. At that time I was big on learning guitar. I had a great teacher who got me into be-bop jazz. I was listening to Miles Davis, Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, etc. He always taught me to listen to Sax players instead of guitar players.
This is probably boring, but I was lucky enough to go to concerts at that time seeing, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich, Barney Kessel, Jim Hall, Ella, and my fave, Joe Pass!
I also loved early YES albums because I just really loved Steve Howe's playing.
Sorry, boring post!
This is probably boring, but I was lucky enough to go to concerts at that time seeing, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Rich, Barney Kessel, Jim Hall, Ella, and my fave, Joe Pass!
I also loved early YES albums because I just really loved Steve Howe's playing.
Sorry, boring post!
Not at all!
Kind of interesting, actually...funny how life puts things in our paths.
Thanks again for your time.
Hi Russ,
I was curious about one of Geddy's processors, the Palmer Speaker Simulator... Does he still use it? How much would you say that it colors or affects the overall tone? I mean, it's no Maytag dryer but if I recall he's used it for a while. Thanks, I've really enjoyed reading all your insights and it's much appreciated!
I was curious about one of Geddy's processors, the Palmer Speaker Simulator... Does he still use it? How much would you say that it colors or affects the overall tone? I mean, it's no Maytag dryer but if I recall he's used it for a while. Thanks, I've really enjoyed reading all your insights and it's much appreciated!
Sorry, I didn't answer your question about being "star struck". I know this may sound jaded but I don't get star struck these day. I have met so many people in this biz, it just happens. If I get star struck, is when through my good friends who work in the Film Industry in Toronto introduces me to certain actors/ actresses. I was a complete mumbling idiot when I got a hug and a kiss from a famous lovely actress. I can't say who, but It was heaven!
Nothing to do with basses...
Nothing to do with basses...
Ahh, the Dryers. That was such a part of Ged's tone. We chose the Maytags because of their reliability. We had tried others, like SEARS, etc, but the Maytags sounded good and Gordon Jump was there for us, plus they were cheaper to run. The Maytags would give us an hour for 25 cents. All other brands wanted at least 50 cents. Also, for certain songs, we had one of the dryers rotate the opposite way because Ged
wanted a "Leslie" affect. I can't remember what song.
Are you guys truly buying this?
Yes, Ged still uses the original Palmers, PDI-05. Alex uses the original PDI-03's. About coloring the sound? Any processor colors the original sound. The original Palmers are the best at reproducing a speaker electronically, mine and most sound guys opinion. The original Palmers are hard to find. The new ones don't match up.
My two cents!
wanted a "Leslie" affect. I can't remember what song.
Are you guys truly buying this?
Yes, Ged still uses the original Palmers, PDI-05. Alex uses the original PDI-03's. About coloring the sound? Any processor colors the original sound. The original Palmers are the best at reproducing a speaker electronically, mine and most sound guys opinion. The original Palmers are hard to find. The new ones don't match up.
My two cents!
Hey Russ, you wouldn't happen to be able to recommend a tech in the SF Bay Area who's very familiar with the nuances of Ric adjustments, would you? I want to take it to a guy whose eyes *don't* pop out when he sees it, a guy who *doesn't* say something along the lines of, "Whoa, these have two truss rods?"
I'm glad I hadn't just taken a sip of my coffee when I read that, or I'd be cleaning it off my screen right now.
I didn't mean to insult Jimmy. I met him in 1992 during the Roll the Bones tour and did not get along with him at all. Maybe it was the fact that on that day the crew was about 4 hours behind schedule for a Jacksonville Fl show. I had read somewhere that Geddy didn't get along with him. You can't always believe what you read. I apologize for being out of line.
Steve Chesney
Steve Chesney
My biggest gripe with the GL is the need to take the neck off for a truss rod adjustment. Russ, how many times a month do you have to take "the real one" apart? I can't imagine you haven't addressed this on Geddy's basses as I'd guess they reauire a lot of tweaks on the road. I think I'm gonna route out my body a little for some tool room.
Sorry, I can't help you out there. I don't know any good techs in SF Bay area. My suggestion would be to contact Rickenbacker themselves. They use to be located in Santa Ana, and still may be. Go to their website and maybe they can recommend somebody in your region. Or, maybe you guys out there posting might be able to help this person out. Good luck!
Russ,
I would like to add about my post regarding Jimmy Rhodes. When I became involved with Wal Basses, Geddy's tech was, I believe, Skip Gildersleeve. Pete at Wal Basses would constantly gush about how easy he was to deal with. Pete did not have that opinion of Jimmy, which seemed to be consistent on that particular day I met him. Again, I certainly didn't mean to insult you or him.
Is Skip Gildersleeve still a part of the Rush live show?
Thanks,
Steve Chesney
I would like to add about my post regarding Jimmy Rhodes. When I became involved with Wal Basses, Geddy's tech was, I believe, Skip Gildersleeve. Pete at Wal Basses would constantly gush about how easy he was to deal with. Pete did not have that opinion of Jimmy, which seemed to be consistent on that particular day I met him. Again, I certainly didn't mean to insult you or him.
Is Skip Gildersleeve still a part of the Rush live show?
Thanks,
Steve Chesney
Russ,
I think if you ever got the chance to work with Wals, you will find their necks are particularly prone to shifting in different climatic environments. It is my one complaint about them. I live in Florida, so I have set them for a warm, humid climate. However, if I were to play in Toronto, the neck would have to be adjusted every day until it settled. I am not sure why that is. I found Rics to be extremely stable where the neck is concerned.
Steve Chesney
Steve, no need to apologize. I'm sorry you had not got along with Jimmy. I have not heard about Jimmy and Ged having differences but that is not my business. I'm not saying you are wrong or right.
Guy's do me a favor, and I'm going to sound harsh here but I don't want to hear about any bad dealings with past and present Rush personal, you might have had. It is of no concern to me. Ask me all you want about Ged, the band and their gear, but no personal stuff.
Thanks,
Guy's do me a favor, and I'm going to sound harsh here but I don't want to hear about any bad dealings with past and present Rush personal, you might have had. It is of no concern to me. Ask me all you want about Ged, the band and their gear, but no personal stuff.
Thanks,
