Rush 2011 Geddy's sunburst bass question

Because he had it. Why else?

 

Kind of like how Robert Trujillo has about a dozen basses that he uses during each Metallica show.

 

GAS?

 

Maybe because there is a black Geddy sig bass and a sunburst Geddy sig? He have to asosiate these basses with what he plays

 

I'm guessing he has enough wealth that he doesn't give a damn what his Fender contract says.

 

Different strings?

 

You can see his sunburst being used in past tours, he usually plays it on Between The Wheels and I'm pretty sure he played it before the introduction of the sunburst version of his signature Fender...

 

I believe on Between the Wheels (Snakes & Arrows tour) he had it tuned in drop D. Of course, on the Time Machine tour, he must have had it in standard tuning if he's using it on Closer to the Heart, so he obviously just wants to switch things up occasionally

 

Probably because it sounded warmer than his black one, which DOES tend to sound pretty dark.

 

Hehe, yeah, I never learned BtW so I had no idea it was on Drop D tuning. I though he used his black Jazz with tort pickguard for the songs with Drop D tuning (the one he auctioned a while ago). Driven on Rush in Rio and Stick it Out on the Time Machine Tour comes to my mind.

Maybe he was jealous of Alex switching guitars on every song

 

Check out this thread:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/geddys-bass-tone-393208/

Look for the posts from Russ Ryan, he was Geddy's Bass Tech. He doesn't cover the 2011 tour, but he gives good insight on why Ged uses different bases on different songs.

BTW, 2012/2013 Clockwork Angel Tour dates were recently released!