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Post subject: "Geddy Lee Sound"
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:20 pm
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Hi, every body! I'm new to the site, but I figured, there is no better place to ask my question than here, on the fender bass forum! I have two basses. One is an American Standard Precision Bass and the other is an American Standard Jazz Bass. LOVE THEM BOTH!!!! I'm trying to get an accurate "Geddy Lee" sound, out of my Jazz Bass, but I'm just not certain what gauge Rotosound Swing Bass strings to get. Also I'm trying to figure out his tuning, is it standard? Any one who may know of these two things, please, share your input. I'd appreciate it very much! Thanks!


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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:15 pm
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There is no one "Geddy Lee sound." The sound I most identify with him is the lovely but brutal Rick sound he got from his '73 4001, modified with a badass bridge and sent through an Ampeg SVT with Sunn Cabinets (a few other details can be found on the Rush site or elsewhere if you do some digging).

The other main contribution to his signature sound is his aggressive right hand pizzicato technique.

See, you can't just buy a bass, slap some Rotosounds on it and sound like anyone. You'll just sound like you. It's up to you whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.

All that said:

1. I believe that he uses standard tuning;
2. String gauge won't make that much difference considering the other factors I mentioned above

If you want to at least emulate Geddy's sound, here is my advice:

1. Throw away your picks and develop monster callouses on your pizzicato hand;
2. If you don't have an SVT, get a Sansamp VT pedal to emulate such; and
3. Work your fingers to the bone.

It's that simple.


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:51 am
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Exactly what Fretless said, great advice.


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 5:08 am
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i believe geddy uses more on the bridge pickups while on overdrive/distortion


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:00 am
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Geddy stopped using SVT's a while ago, and I don't think they're the best way to get his tone. What you want to do is pump the high mids. The american standard's stock pickups lack some high mids. If you really want to get something closer to his sound, you might want to consider buying the 62 reissue pickups, though it's not completely necessary. He gets VERY slight overdrive: not quite the same kind of overdrive you get out of an SVT.

Biggest thing is to pump the mids, especially the high mids.


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:54 pm
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fjbass wrote:
What is your fretboard wood on the Am. Std. J Bass? Maple or rosewood?


Hi, fjbass, the fretboard, on my Jazz bass is maple. With dot inlays, though, and not block style. It's a 2008 3-tone sunburst, with a maple neck, wich I think looks pretty cool. Since Geddy's main "J" has a maple neck, I figued that would be the way to go.


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:08 pm
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eyecandy wrote:
i believe geddy uses more on the bridge pickups while on overdrive/distortion


Hi, eyecandy, yeah, I believe you're right. After doing some trial-and-error, with the pickups, I do find I get a fuller sound, closer to "Geddy Sound" than with just the neck pickup, or both pickups being used, simultaniously. However, it's just the bass plugged straight into my amp. It will probably benefit from some overdrive/distortion. Thanks!


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:37 pm
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anubis16 wrote:
Geddy stopped using SVT's a while ago, and I don't think they're the best way to get his tone. What you want to do is pump the high mids. The american standard's stock pickups lack some high mids. If you really want to get something closer to his sound, you might want to consider buying the 62 reissue pickups, though it's not completely necessary. He gets VERY slight overdrive: not quite the same kind of overdrive you get out of an SVT.

Biggest thing is to pump the mids, especially the high mids.



Hi, anubis16, I was actually looking at the Custom Shop '62 pickups because of the slightly higher mids, I understand they offer, over the stock pickups. I am looking for a new amp setup to replace my fender combo. I was thinking of maybe a Mesa M6 or M9 Carbon, or possibly a Big Block 750, or M-Pulse 600. I might consider a Fender Bassman 300 Pro, but I'm not sure. As far as cabinets go...well, I'm still looking around. Thanks!


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:40 pm
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oxfan wrote:
Exactly what Fretless said, great advice.



Hi, oxfan, no doubt! There are great pointers, to be had, in what FretlessOnly said. Thanks!


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:04 pm
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FretlessOnly wrote:
There is no one "Geddy Lee sound." The sound I most identify with him is the lovely but brutal Rick sound he got from his '73 4001, modified with a badass bridge and sent through an Ampeg SVT with Sunn Cabinets (a few other details can be found on the Rush site or elsewhere if you do some digging).

The other main contribution to his signature sound is his aggressive right hand pizzicato technique.

See, you can't just buy a bass, slap some Rotosounds on it and sound like anyone. You'll just sound like you. It's up to you whether that's a good thing or a bad thing.

All that said:

1. I believe that he uses standard tuning;
2. String gauge won't make that much difference considering the other factors I mentioned above

If you want to at least emulate Geddy's sound, here is my advice:

1. Throw away your picks and develop monster callouses on your pizzicato hand;
2. If you don't have an SVT, get a Sansamp VT pedal to emulate such; and
3. Work your fingers to the bone.

It's that simple.



Hi, FretlessOnly, you are indeed right! There is no definative Geddy sound. However, I feel I identify with the "Moving Pictures" sound. Also I dig the snappy attacks Geddy achieves in albums like "Signals", "Counterparts", and "Test For Echoe". However I should say that Moving Pictures is what got me interested in Rush in the first place. His use of the Rickenbacker Bass in the song, The Witch Hunt was a thrill to my ears. I would like to put a badass bridge on my Jazz Bass, but since mine has the HMVB Bridge (high mass vintage bridge), maybe I won't need to. Picks won't be so much of an issue, since I never use picks, on my Jazz, but I some times do, on my Precision (kinda weird, lol). I definately do not have an SVT in my possesion, however I will be replacing my fender combo amp, in the future. Possibly looking into a Mesa M9 or M6 Carbine, Big Block 750, or M-Pulse600. A 400plus would be great, but they are no longer in production. I'm also looking at a Fender Bassman 300 Pro, I'm not sure yet. However, a Sansamp VT pedal sounds like a worthwhile investment. Now as for a cab, I'm not sure yet. I do need to work on my technique, though, seems like after 20 minutes of practice my fingers want to bleed, but my calluses haven't developed yet. After some time, it should be fine. Thank you, for all your helpful, words!


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:10 pm
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fjbass wrote:
Hi Holland; Agree with you on The Maple Fretboard. Looks and feels great. Sure doesn't hurt having it to go with the sound you're going after.


Definately, fjbass! I felt the maple neck would be benificial for what I was going for! The fact that it looks great is a decent bonus, too. ;) Nothing against my Precision Bass (3-tone sunburst and rosewood neck setup). I love them both. My "J" just seems to stand out a little more!


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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 4:25 pm
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fjbass wrote:
If you have a HMVB Bridge, I wouldn't change it out either. Most replacement bridges are good, but the HMVB Bridge is great if it's already on the bass. A good upgrade they made on the Am. Std.


I agree, both my basses have one and I'm very happy with them. Perhaps Fender decided to give players a "badass bridge" that was all Fender. I love to have the choice of either anchoring the strings through the body, or just through the bridge's tailpiece. The leo quann desing is a very nice upgrade, if you have the standard vintage bridge. If I had an American Vintage Jazz Bass, the first upgrade would be a Badass 2 Bridge. No need to invest in one now. :) I'm very pleased with my HMVB! Thanks, hope your "J" is bringing you joy.


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