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Title: Rush Sound
Description: Discussing how to get the right sound


21Rush12 - April 8, 2012 01:33 AM (GMT)
Rush, being my favorite of all time, is mostly what I play on guitar and bass. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how they get the perfect Rush sound when playing.

tangentmusic - April 9, 2012 03:44 PM (GMT)
Well, this is a good one..
I play bass, so i have a little insight on Geddy's sound.

Alex's tone, on the other hand, has varied so much over the decades and from era to era, it would be hard to pinpoint unless you seek a sound from a particular album.

Back to Geddy's tone. (on studio records)
On most of his "Progressive Era" stuff (Caress through Hemispheres) He used a Rickenbacker bass with Rotosound swing 66 strings. Various amp configurations.
This would be how to acheive that sound from that era. Ric's have a very distinct trebley punchy tone.
He has used an old Fender Jazz (as i'm sure you know) on most of the material since. (He did use Wal and Steinberger basses for a while in the '80's) He uses the same Rotosound strings on his Jazz. He also uses Badass bridges on his basses, which to many (me included) adds a bit more treble and sustain due to the higher metal mass.
One thing to keep in mind is that much of Geddy's sound comes from his playing style. He uses his fingers as opposed to a pick, which adds a special tone to his sound, that would be hard to get exact.

If you have either of these basses you should be able to get close to his tone.
Playing around with the EQ settings on your amp will help too.

Hope this helps.

Dangerous Mission - April 10, 2012 02:51 AM (GMT)
Play very, very loud.

21Rush12 - April 13, 2012 12:51 AM (GMT)
Thanks a lot man. I'm trying to save up to get a nice Rickenbacker because i love the treble sound in the bass. I use my fingers because using a pick with the bass just doesn't seem right. I'm mostly into guitar, but I do love playing Rush on the bass and it's becoming more and more fun as I get better. But I will say one thing, Geddy can go crazy slappin' dat bass.

tangentmusic - April 13, 2012 02:28 PM (GMT)
QUOTE (21Rush12 @ Apr 13 2012, 12:51 AM)
Thanks a lot man. I'm trying to save up to get a nice Rickenbacker because i love the treble sound in the bass. I use my fingers because using a pick with the bass just doesn't seem right.

Rickenbacker makes one of the best basses on the planet. They do take some saving up to be able to afford one (for me anyway).
You know, the pick vs. fingerstyle approach to bass playing has raged for decades.
Many of the greats used a pick. Chris Squire, Paul McCartney and others use picks.
I think you can get a snappier/brighter tone using one.
Personally, i use both methods. Sometimes during the same song.
I have used a thumb pick for years. You can easily switch from fingers to pick and back again without worrying about dropping it on a dark stage or on the studio floor!
It's really just a matter of comfort and approach.
To me there's no wrong way to play bass...

mr2112 - May 20, 2012 04:52 PM (GMT)
Here's my only insight on how to get Ged's bass sound;

SLAPA DAT BASSSS

21Rush12 - May 21, 2012 12:34 AM (GMT)
Ha good one.




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