Limelight Geddy Lee tone/growl

[Marty_D]

Hi all, we cover Limelight and I wish I could find a tone somewhat like the one Geddy Lee uses on that track. Doesnt have to be exact and will never be since I don't own his gear or technic, I just wish I could come up with something that sounds better then dry signal espetially for the solo part.

I own a Zoom B2 and been fiddling around but still can't get the tone I'm looking for... Maybe it's impossible without the right gear. I'm just wondering if any of you guys here had luck reproducing his tone with single or mutli-effects. The only other post i could find on here about his tone on limelight dates from 2006.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f36/geddy-lee-overdrive-258204/

Here is a link to his solo bass track on limelight where you can really hear his tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-kQsVk8K4c

Thanks in advance for any help or feedback.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

I am no Rush expert, but I know a Zoom B2 can only get you so far. His rig, being in the studio (more than one signal being recorded) , etc. Pump up the mids, his growl is kind of on the edge of muddy. Maybe use something that emulates tubes on the B2.

 

[Marty_D]

Ok, I will try to boost the mids and add a little bit of chorus while trying different tube emulators. Its one hard tone to emulate thats for sure...

 

[NKUSigEp]

Ok, I will try to boost the mids and add a little bit of chorus while trying different tube emulators. Its one hard tone to emulate thats for sure...

It's not really. I would ditch the chorus, boost some mids and find a light overdrive and on top of that just really dig in with your fingers when you play. He's one of those guys that regardless of what gear he uses, he always sounds like himself.

 

[Gadgetjunky]

Great find. Yea, I think most of that is him. Sounds like he is playing HARD.

 

[J Posega]

Thats Geddy playing hard, tone all the way open, on light gauge strings. A little OD can get you there.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I would ditch the chorus, boost some mids and find a light overdrive and on top of that just really dig in with your fingers when you play.

Agreed. A bit of tubey sizzle, some mids and really dig in and let those strings pop out from under your right hand's fingers. I think he also has very low action and there's some fret noise adding to that growly sound.

 

[Marty_D]

Thanks guys, I will try these suggestions, he definetly plays hard. I dont think his sound is reproduced very often.

 

[Rickett Customs]

High mids and treble boost+ Low action (Very slight fretbuzz).

I can nail that sound with no effects, on my own built bass:

1 seymour duncan NYC phase II (stingray position), Audere 3zb (4 band).

Hi-Z mode, pickup in a series with treble amost dimed, high mids 3/4

 

[Marty_D]

Alright, I just managed to get a tone close enough that I can try it at the gig tonight. One crucial aspect is to only use my bridge pickup, I used a bit of the sansamp emulator and played around a lot with the eq while listing to the track. And yes lots of mids. No chorus or anything else. Its hard to get just the right amount of distortion in the signal but I'm pretty happy with what I have, now to try it in a live situation.... We cover many different bands and I can't have that tone for anything else but Rush lol Thanks everyone!

 

[que pasa????]

Hi, here’s how I did it:
Another Geddy Lee tone thread (with audio)