• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How do you get the geddy lee rickenbacker sound?

#4
I don't have all of the cool tech details but,,,,,He uses a stereo setup where each pickup is ran through a different amp and stack. That famous honk is the bridge pickup with some effects, while the warmth comes from the neck pickup. I sure that more knowledge will follow this post.
 
#5
Geddy's sounds comes from Geddy playing it. I don't think that there is one special piece of equipment to buy or any special tone settings you can mimic. You're always going to play Presto2112 tones when you play. Geddy can't copy them.
 
#6
he used two of the same amp, which at the time were BGW 750B power amps and Ashly pre amps. His neck signal ran into two V4b (215) cabinets and his bridge signal ran into two Thiele design 215s. He used Jbl K140s.

Better off just finding something that is your sound than trying to be just like Geddy Lee.
 
#8
Just dropped in to see how soon it would be before someone contributed the usual "helpful" response to this type of question – it's all technique, only Geddy sounds like Geddy because he's Geddy, Give up, get you own sound, etc, etc.

Looks like most of the responses are like this, so far.

Well, I can't be of much help either. I just want to rant a bit.

Granted, nobody is going to sound exactly like Geddy but maybe the OP has a valid reason for trying.

I love Geddy but there is no need to deify him. And no, Geddy is not going to sound like Geddy on anything. Give him a wash tub & broomstick, he is not going to sound like Geddy. He's just as much into technology as we mere mortals are. He twiddles knobs and tries different types of gear. His entire sound does not magically emanate from his finger tips.

We are confusing tone with, for lack of a better word, style or musical taste.

There's no harm in asking how to get Geddy's tone, it doesn't mean the OP wants to be Geddy Lee.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo, Skeetersbiscuit, Danny E and 6 others
#9
Ric 4003 (2006-present manufacture date) with vintage tone selector engaged, bridge pickup maxed out, neck pickup hardly there. Crank the treble on your amp, mids a little bit there, bass very low. Contour/compress. A little overdrive never hurts. And last: play with a hard attack (not neccasarily popping the muscles in your fingers, but use your whole hand, and really go after the string. You won't sound exactly like him. That requires you to be Geddy himself. But you'll be pretty darn close.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Squittolo
#11
I'll try helping here.

Obviously Geddy does Geddy pretty darn well.

Back eons ago I used a 4003 Rick ran Stereo with the Neck pickup going into an Ampeg V4 into an Ampeg 8x10. This yielded that slightly overdriven warm tone.

The Bridge pickup into a Fender Dual Showman Head into a Fender 2x15 cab with JBL's. This yielded that tight mid heavy bright Karang.

For Strings it was Rotosound.

Technique wise it is about being able to play really articulate with fingers. A very hard attack and some speed going. Being able to play a good number of notes fast and articulate.

Perhaps this will help.
 
#12
M.R. Ogle said:
I'm not exactly sure, but it has something to do with chicken roasters....
Click to expand...

LOL nice. I've never seen him with that red J-bass before.

If you watch Geddy play you can see that he tends to pluck the stringd over the neck pickup, which keeps his sound from being too "Jaco-ish" or sharp. Even though he plays aggressively, he's still using fingers and not a pick, so he doesn't get that percussive attack like Chris Squire.

On his Ric albums his tone is clanky but still has good bottom end. On his newer stuff his J-bass is more trebly, but without the Ric clank. If you've seen him live lately he's playing through the PA system and, IMO, he could use some more bottom end live.

Basically, use roundwounds, play over the bridge pickup, and start playing with EQ and tone knobs to see what you can get. What some posters have already said holds true though: he usually sounds like Geddy no matter what he's playing. A lot of people think Moving Pictures was recorded with the Ric, but Geddy himself says most of it was recorded with his Jazz. I can't tell the difference. This tells me that the playing style and processing of the signal after it leaves the bass is at least as important as the bass itself.
 
#14
I saw an interview with him, where he said part of his sound is the style he plays. he plays with the 2 fingers, but instead of plucking the string he kinda slap/strikes it, so it sounds like a combo on slap, finger and pick style. but u also need to run stereo pickups with your bridge pickup run through an overdrive
 
#16
RickenBoogie said:
Yes, make your own tone, copying someone else will end in disapointment.
Click to expand...

The OP's question was not, "Should I adjust my tone to sound like Geddy's or just try to do my own?"

It was precisely this, "How do you get the Geddy Lee Rickenbacker sound?"

You're substituting your philosophical opinion for a satifactory answer. You may be correct, but that is irrelevant.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Skeetersbiscuit and Hoigle
#17
Spectrum said:
The OP's question was not, "Should I adjust my tone to sound like Geddy's or just try to do my own?"

It was precisely this, "How do you get the Geddy Lee Rickenbacker sound?"

You're substituting your philosophical opinion for a satifactory answer. You may be correct, but that is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Well, in that case use good rounds, play closer to the bridge, and "Dig-IN"

:hiding:

PC
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nev375
#18
There are other factors (like having just the right amount and type of distortion), but the thing that he shares with Squire is a controlled, metallic fret rattle. I'm guessing that he has very low action although it could be the combination of playing hard and finger proximity to the fret. It's not the bad fret rattle that comes from having a bass out of adjustment (that only shows up on some notes), this is a calculated part of the sound which introduces a metal element to the overall sound. It's become hugely popular and is poorly copied by many. When done correctly, it's a very cool style.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rabidhamster
#19
A search on this topic will no doubt yield about a million pages exactly like this one. I've tried some of the things people have suggested and gotten pretty close. A 4001 strung with steel rounds, an RBI and any amp will get you close enough for me. If it's not close enough for you I guess you'll have to buy all the gear he used on those albums. I'm sure that information is in one of those million pages I mentioned.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back