Author Topic: Geddy Lee's "Backline" (Read 534 times)

blazer · « **on:** March 15, 2007, 05:11:27 PM »

Let's talk about Geddy Lee's Backline

I don't know how many of you noticed but for the last couple of years Geddy has ditched his amps for using a POD plugged into the mixing console. But because Alex is using a Skyline of amplifiers, Geddy's part of the stage looks a little empty and so he solved it by putting two big washing machines and a vending machine behind him where the amps would normally be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzQeTjYWfNU

I think that shows that Geddy has a terrific sense of humor. (Or should I say Humour?)

hb3 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2007, 05:45:39 PM »

I didn't know that. But there you go. Ampless gigging. I'm thinking more and more about this....like, say you were able to do a gig where all you did was feed the soundguy a single coaxial cable or something like that....think about it!

Also! Has anyone heard the ten seconds of the new Rush song on the website? I have, and I like it. I have high hopes. It sounds like Hemispheres-era material....

hb3 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2007, 05:47:20 PM »

Correction! The whole song is up, on their newly revamped website....

hb3 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2007, 05:52:37 PM »

Jesus, that's their single? Blagh....

smokin_dave · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2007, 09:08:27 PM »

I have a dvd called R30.
It's Rush's 30th anniversary world tour and
I get a kick out of seeing this washer/dryer/vending
machine setup.
If you like Rush,it's a great dvd.
Jerry Stiller kicks the whole thing off too.
What a riot.

keith_h · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2007, 06:57:38 AM »

In one of the DVD's you even see the crew come out dressed as Rush to remove clothes and put in more coins. Definitely has a sense of humor.

Keith

jacko · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2007, 07:07:27 AM »

I saw them in Glasgow 2 years ago. The crew did indeed feed the dryers from time to time. Late in the show, Geddy opened one up and threw tour T'shirts into the crowd. Needless to say I was 100yards away at the time ;-(

Graeme

paulman · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2007, 07:41:09 AM »

That's hilarious. I have the Rush in Rio DVD, and did noticed the washer/dryer, but never thought about there being no bass amps up there. I'll ahve to watch for that again, and go to their website! Thanks for that lead.

My only compaint is this DVD does a cut away just about every 3-4 seconds, so there is never any time to focus on one thing for very long. I really want to see Alex do a whole solo, or watch Geddy as he rocks out The Trees jam.

811952 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:37:35 AM »

Actually, Geddy uses 3 separate SansAmp units. One is clean and bright, one is clean and bassy and the third is distortion. The three signals are mixed at the board as appropriate.

I love his backline. That is funny as heck!

John

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:42:04 AM »

He had an old Frigidaire refrigerator for the Test for Echo Tour

811952 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2007, 10:50:08 AM »

I read somewhere that he occasionally pulls a shirt out of one of the dryers and tosses it to the audience. He is one of my heroes!

dtrice · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2007, 10:58:48 AM »

I believe that in the live settings, Geddy is using a Sansamp RBI, an Avalon U5, and a Palmer simulator. His tone comes from different blendings of the three signals. I've also read that in the studio he has used the Sansamp RPM and the Sansamp BDDI. Now that he is a Sansamp endorser I would guess that they will part of his backline for a while. But as for those Jazzes he uses, I'll quote Neil: Leave that thing alone.

811952 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:29:15 PM »

Leave that thing alone

It's all in the fingers...

dtrice · « **Reply #13 on:** April 14, 2007, 08:39:36 AM »

True, but to my ears his fingers are better suited for Rickenbackers and Wals. Don't get me wrong I bought a Maple-neck Jazz because of seeing him and it is much more comfortable to play than my Rick.

beelee · « **Reply #14 on:** April 15, 2007, 02:36:41 PM »

on Quite alot of Rush's studio albums over the years Geddy actually used a Jazz bass, not a Rick, Wal, Guild or Steinberger, live is another story.................

B.