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How do you get the geddy lee rickenbacker sound?

#21
Presto2112 said:
Hey guys,
I have a Gallien Krueger Ultralight bass cabinet combo and wondering how I could get the classic rickenbacker sound (i know you have to have a rick obviously which im getting soon) geddy lee's particularly, Permanent waves or hemispheres album sound.

Thanks
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Back then he play a Rick 4001 through an ampeg bass amp. Rotosound strings.

You might also try a sans amp, a chorus pedal or other effects.
 
#23
I hate this "tone is in the fingers" crap.

Geddy's Moving Pictures tone (both Jazz and Ric) are are a blend of dry signal with overdrive. Sure his action is fairly low and he attacks hard over the neck pickup but it not like his fingers are made of magic or something (though some diehards would disagree).

Regardless find an overdrive u like with a blend knob and u will be halfway there.

I achieve geddydom with my ric and vt bass deluxe (overdriven). I can post my exact setting if u want to go that direction. </rant>
 
#25
Here is a you tube vid of a bass player who I think captures that Geddy /Ric sound pretty damn good. Try not to judge the guy too much but he isn't playing the song correctly and improvises a lot, but he plays with attitude and I totally dig it!!!

I been informed this bass playing brother is no longer with us and hopefully is jammin with the long lost greats up in the sky!:bassist:


YouTube - &#x202a;Rush&#39;s "By Tor and the Snow Dog" on bass - LRRG&#x202c;&rlm;
 
#28
I imagine studio magic ws used for Ged's studio tone. Rickenbacker + Ampeg might be the raw ingridients, but who knows what compression, mic placement and re-EQing was used. Maybe even a dry DI signal in there too... Pretty cool tone though!
 
#29
jeff5311 said:
Geddy's Moving Pictures tone (both Jazz and Ric) are are a blend of dry signal with overdrive.
I achieve geddydom with my ric and vt bass deluxe (overdriven). I can post my exact setting if u want to go that direction. </rant>
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+ 1

I get very close to his Moving Pictures era tone by running my Jazz Bass or my 4003 (neck pickup set at 8.5, the 3 other knobs set at 10) through a VT standard pedal, a Boss GE-20 EQ with a slight "smiley curve", a Boss CE-20 chorus (used mainly for it's EQ properties), and amplified through my SWR Headlite driving a single 15" Electrovoice speaker in a Sonic cab. I anchor my right thumb on the neck pickup, dig in a bit, and there it is. For me, every one of these elements is critical for really nailing "The Sound" - remove or change any of the pedals, or especially the SWR amp (I love that thing), and it loses something.
 
#30
Rotosound RS66LD strings, hit hard and the right combo of EQ, especially in the lower mids. No bright treble.
Play over or just to the bridge side of the neck pickup too sometimes.

You can still have your own style while copping Geddy's basic tone.
Nobody is going to tell you, "Hey great original songs, but man, you sound too much like Geddy Lee".
 
#31
Paul M said:
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.
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+1

Amen!

By the logic of the other people who posted, nobody would hear any difference in sound if Geddy Lee switched from the front pickup with tone down to back pickup with treble all the way up, or even if he unplugged his Rickenbacker from whatever amp he normally used and plugged it into an Ampeg SVT or a 50w transitor guitar amp :rollno:!?

When will people understand the fundamental fact that when people ask about 'tone' in the context used by the OP, it's clear what they are talking about and what kind of technical, gear-related answer is required?

I'm not contributing anything (other than moral support ;)) to the OP's question either, but I share Paul's irritation at the (somewhat trollish, IMHO) replies recieved on the first page :scowl:.
 
#35
I've always thought Geddy's best tone came from a Jazz bass. Much of his sound is in his attack. He hits the string HARD at quite a downward angle. Oh, and distortion....lot's of distortion.
 
#37
Spectrum said:
You know, I was listening to Kansas' "Leftoverture" album today and Dave Hope's bass tone on that album is pretty similar to Geddy's, just not as loud in the mix. Listen to Miracles Out of Nowhere and see if I'm not smoking crack on this. The bright and heavy bass really sticks out starting around 2:40 or so: YouTube - &#x202a;Kansas- Miracles Out of Nowhere&#x202c;&rlm;
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Interesting! Dave Hope is one of my favorite underrated bass player along with my favorite underrated band, Kansas!

The part you are referring to in the song is the layered syncopated vamp in 7/8's time signature.
I always loved how Kansas would deviate from the song and go into these little jams with odd time signatures and orchestrated parts.

Dave Hope was known for using Fender basses in the early years and played with a pick. His tone was trebley, reminiscent of Chris Squire I always thought. So being Geddy was influenced by Squire it's fitting that both Bassist's have similar grindy bass tones like Squire has.

Thanks for pointing that out!
 

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