I think these are wonderful basses, but am I alone in disliking the bridge on these? Especially the big gawdy philips head screws?
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Thsnk you everyone for the feedback regarding necks. As i am in the UK now i will give them a call tomorrow and see if they are open to answer the question directly.
Two question for the Geddy fans (I know you are here! 
).
1) My belief is that he used the Mk1 on Power Windows and Hold Your Fire and the Mk2 for Presto and Roll the Bones? is that correct?
I think the bass tone on Power Windows and especially Hold Your Fire is slightly better than on the later two records. But this can also be because of the better mix and production.
Hold Your Fire is the last great record for me. After that the song writing went a bit down hill and they kept doing the same thing till the end. With a few song exceptions on each album.
2) What are your exact settings to get the Hold Your Fire/Power Windows tone? also the pick attack trim pot inside settings? The sound of songs like Force Ten, Open Secrets, the middle part of The Mission for example
).1) My belief is that he used the Mk1 on Power Windows and Hold Your Fire and the Mk2 for Presto and Roll the Bones? is that correct?
I think the bass tone on Power Windows and especially Hold Your Fire is slightly better than on the later two records. But this can also be because of the better mix and production.
Hold Your Fire is the last great record for me. After that the song writing went a bit down hill and they kept doing the same thing till the end. With a few song exceptions on each album.
2) What are your exact settings to get the Hold Your Fire/Power Windows tone? also the pick attack trim pot inside settings? The sound of songs like Force Ten, Open Secrets, the middle part of The Mission for example
I really can’t comment on #1 but my go-to setting for those 2 records is:
* no pick attack
* bridge 10
* neck 10
* bridge knob pulled
* no pick attack
* bridge 10
* neck 10
* bridge knob pulled
That's exactly what I think too! Did some recordings this morning with my Mk1 just to try to get as close to the Geddy tone as I can and see how it worked in a recording. With the pick attack engaged it becomes too harsh with artificial highs. Putting everything on 10 with the pickup balance in the middle and no pick attack is the key to the Geddy tone I think. If you don't set everything on 10 you won't have enough treble. Pulling out the bridge knob works too but maybe I find it nicer (and more Geddy) sounding without the bridge knob pulled. But both sounds are in the Geddy territory. And of course hitting the strings hard to get his specific attack.
He borrowed the producers Mk1 for Power Windows album, then ordered his black one and used it on everything though 1990. (so that's two different Mk1's)
AFAIK, the Mk2 wasn't acquired until just before and used on Roll the Bones.
AFAIK, the Mk2 wasn't acquired until just before and used on Roll the Bones.
Two question for the Geddy fans (I know you are here!
1) My belief is that he used the Mk1 on Power Windows and Hold Your Fire and the Mk2 for Presto and Roll the Bones? is that correct?
I think the bass tone on Power Windows and especially Hold Your Fire is slightly better than on the later two records. But this can also be because of the better mix and production.
Hold Your Fire is the last great record for me. After that the song writing went a bit down hill and they kept doing the same thing till the end. With a few song exceptions on each album.
2) What are your exact settings to get the Hold Your Fire/Power Windows tone? also the pick attack trim pot inside settings? The sound of songs like Force Ten, Open Secrets, the middle part of The Mission for example
1 - My thoughts as a complete Rush nerd, with parts confirmed via Ged's Big Beautiful Book of Bass. He borrowed a Wal owned by producer Peter Collins during the recording of Power Windows, then got his own black Mk1 a little later. He also acquired a Mk2 5-string (black, without gold hardware) used on a Hold Your Fire track (Lock and Key) and notes say he didn't like the weight of that. Then the red Mk2 4-string came around Roll the Bones. So by my count four Wals were used in recordings... Collins' Mk1 for PW, Ged's Mk1 and Mk2-5 for HYF and Presto, and Ged's red Mk2-4 for Roll the Bones. Live pics show Ged using the Mk1 on tour for HYF and Presto, moving to the red Mk2 for Roll the Bones. I'm having trouble finding any PW tour pics where he's using the Mk1, I'm only seeing Steinberger pics. The red Wal is W3421, if anyone wants a Rush nerd phone PIN to use.
2 - There is a guy on YouTube, who may be here (not sure), that does Rush bass covers that are just about spot-on perfect in terms of what is played, how it is played, and how it sounds. I have a note I copied from one of his comments on his Wal settings - "I run full up on the bass and favor the bridge pickup just a tad... the push pull pots are not used. I'm using Rotosound RS66LD rounds as well." For me, on my Mk2, I seem to get closest with pick attack on, all tones to 10, freq boost not pulled up. With freq boost pulled I hear excess string strike twang (not sure how else to term it). My pickup pan is a notch in favor of "T".
Correct. On the Presto tour he was still playing the black and gold Mk1. The MK2 went out in the road in 91 or 92.
ok thanks, good info! Which YT guy are you referring too? Pick attack doesn't sound right for me for Geddy tones when recording. The high end becomes too artificial (for me), even when I have the pick attack trim pot only set to 50 or 60%.
So the Presto album was also Mk1 mostly?
Is that sure? Does the book say so? I don't have that book. I don't hear any 5 string in Lock and Key.
he used the 5 string to play Lock and Key live per a 1988 Guitar Player interview. I memorized that interview as a kid.
3421 puts it as circa May/June 1990 build.
I'm not a Geddy nerd, but I seem to remember he bought it off the rack.
I can't help with any of the other info, but perhaps the youtube reference was this guy ?
https://www.youtube.com/c/JoeTritschler
--jack
Ok great! I wonder why he choose the 5 string for that track. I don’t think there is any low B string in it? But maybe I have to listen closely again.
EDIT: I just checked. It’s not very obvious but on the studio album he is playing a low Eb a couple of times. On the start of the pre chorus and the start of the guitar solo. Live he is just playing those notes an octave higher on it’s 4 string Wal. You don’t really miss the low Eb.
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Joe is good, and the YT guy I was referring to is https://www.youtube.com/@66TJP
I believe according to the interview it was so he wouldn't have to fool with the bass pedals during the performance. It could be the studio recording uses the pedals and not the Wal, I'll have to listen back.
As it turns out the article is online and my memory was correct. Enjoy, friends.
Alex Lifeson / Geddy Lee: Together Again in Rush - Guitar World Magazine - April 1988
Shame that 5 string has been sitting unused for almost 37 years. I bet the capacitors have spewed their acidy mess all over the board tracers by now.
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Yes. Wished Geddy had used the 5 string more often in Rush’s music. Would sound cool for some tracks and it would have given their later music a more modern sound.
But according to that article he didn’t like the 5 string Wal. It was difficult to play and it was too heavy and cumbersome for him.
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