White Cloud

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1375646639' post='2163889'] I know Paul from back when Electric Wood were at Wycombe and he is a top bloke and an excellent craftsman , too . It's really not his style to be offhand in his responses to anybody , and I am sure any delays or oversights on his part are entirely due to the fact that he is essentially a one -man operation nowadays , probably with just about as much work as he can possibly handle , judging by his waiting times . Wals are indeed uniquel and wonderful basses,, and are still worth the money that they cost new nowadays when you compare them to other similaly-priced high-end bassses , most of which sound two-dimensional in comparison to a Wal [/quote] Nothing sounds like a Wal. I only ever mourn one bass that that I have sold/traded & it was my Wal. I was all set for a Sycamore faced MK1 just after Paul took over until fate intervened & I was left broke. Ah well, one day!

[quote name='Mokl' timestamp='1375632320' post='2163663'] Paul did an amazing job in refinishing my Mach 25 string a couple of years ago. He always responded quickly to my emails and answered his phone - and this was when he had just taken over and things at Electric Wood must have been chaos. It was bloody expensive though, but the results were stunning. From this: [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mokl/media/IMG_3114.jpg.html"][/url] To this: [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/mokl/media/IMG_3435.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] WOW. Awesome job!

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1375624143' post='2163546'] If I managed to get hold of a bb424 would a willpower fit in it without modifying the body? [/quote] Dude...you can pick up used BS714's for £300. No routing, no further pup purchasing etc etc. Brilliant, aggressive P bass.

[quote name='Prunesquallor' timestamp='1375627280' post='2163579'] For me, Signals was their last truly great album, and the beginning of the end. There were a few songs I liked on GUP, and the last tour has made me reassess some stuff from Hold Your Fire. Since then, meh. Counterparts was good, though. A real peak amid a lot of dross. [/quote] For me Rush hit their peak at Moving Pictures, Signals was great, GUP really good....then it was a slow & steady decline. Agree that Counterparts was a return to form and really dug what they tried to achieve with Power Windows...a very brave release! The new stuff is not for me at all. Their sound (to me) is akin to (current) Iron Maiden & a myriad of copy cat versions of several contemporary rock bands that they obviously admire. Each to their own though.

Congratulations! Parenthood is awesome in it's awesomeness. This is a great occaision to be marked by the purchase of the bass that you really want.........

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1375621612' post='2163512'] GUP is a great record. The balance of bass, guitar and keys is spot-on. It also captures the vibe of the era perfectly. [/quote] Totally agree. Classic Rush era!

[quote name='D-L-B' timestamp='1375620444' post='2163490'] How so? I simply put an honest reply, not a heated rant. I've heard far more interesting tones from Geddy than this one, that's all. Your questions might be easier to ignore if you were to title the topic appropriately. [/quote] Hey, thanks for the top tip. You have taught me a valuable lesson today and are the winner. Hope you feel better now my friend!

[quote name='andydye' timestamp='1375609495' post='2163309'] ...here we go again? So my band are considering adding some sheehan related tunes to our repertoire and I'm thinking that I 'obviously' need to go bass shopping...the whole style is a sonic departure for me but am looking forward to the challenge... No way can I afford a sheehan sig but I'm looking for somethingg that will allow a similarly low action for the insane tapping and will also have a similarly aggressive sound, passive too I'm hoping...ideas? Pickup combinations? I'll be having a pedal board shuffle too to accomodate a different drive pedal, considering a sheehan ebs but happy to hear other options for this too...wet/dry mix essential, good tone shaping options etc... Am not going to sound 'exactly' like him but a close enough approximation for the average punter will do me fine Not really sure of budget yet so options will help to give me something to aim at [/quote] The Yamaha BS714 will exactly what you need. It ticks every single box. I acquired one a couple of months ago and I absolutely love it.....the neck pup is insanely hot, deep and dirty. I used to use an upgraded Tokai hardpuncher with a Kent Armstron pup added at the neck...it was decent but the BS 714 is better!

[quote name='D-L-B' timestamp='1375608739' post='2163297'] Totally agree. The amount of "tone chasing" on this forum is ridiculous. It just shows a lack of musical understanding, IMO. Even the original artist doesn't actually sound like what you're listening to. The tone on a recording is a concocted sound moulded out of what was captured on the day, often quite distinct from the raw sound actually captured. Listen to a band live and the tone can vary considerably from gig to gig depending on conditions. The music of Rush leaves me cold. They're like a joke band, I can't take them any more seriously than I would Spinal Tap. However that doesn't stop me admitting that I have occasionally admired Geddy's tone. This however is not one of those occasions. It sounds pretty bog standard and a bit thin to me, like a programmed bass sample. I believe I could approximate it, as well as anyone including even Geddy, on most of my basses with a pick and the tone rolled back. [/quote] Oh dear....here we go again, someone is having a bad day. Apologies for asking the question that seems to have upset you.....but you have the choice to simply ignore it.

[quote name='rogerstodge' timestamp='1375613745' post='2163384'] Can someone tell me what song it is ? The link won't work for me [/quote] Distant early warning from grace under pressure. Sorry the link doesn't work my friend!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1375607054' post='2163265'] IME chasing someone else's tone is a fruitless exercise. And doubly so when you're listening to something on a studio recording where the sound is so much more than just the player instrument and the amp. Plus the thing that makes any instrument sound great is not the instrument on it's own but how it fits in with all the other sounds in the arrangement. Change any one of those other instruments and the chances are that you'll also have to change the tone of the instrument that you are so admiring in order to make it sound great in the mix again. [/quote] Not sure what exactly you mean by chasing that tone? If you mean "chasing his tone" by trying to understand how he did it then I disagree with you as I find it interesting, and it would make me happy to understand how he did it. if you mean "chasing his tone" in the context of trying to copy it then I totally agree with you. I sound like me...and it is, and always will be wholly disimilar to the tone in question

[quote name='D-L-B' timestamp='1375603851' post='2163230'] I really can't hear anything special in the bass tone here. [/quote] This is a good example of the different individual perceptions that we all have. For me there is a very special, hard to define aspect to this tone.

Really nice player!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1375555664' post='2162905'] I read recently that Geddy has got a Spector bass recently ( I don't know what kind , presumably / hopefully an NS -style one ) , and he is really enjoying playing it at home . It would be great for him to make a radical departure and play something like that on the next Rush album . [/quote] Agreed...time for something new imo.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1375553819' post='2162880'] Geddy was in such great form in those days . He inspired a whole generation of bass players all over the World during that era . His sound and overall approach to playing the bass from Signals onwards were a really interesting attempt to incorporate some of the more modern sounds and styles for the bass guitar that were becoming so prominent in popular music in the 1980's . To be honest , his more recent sound with his Jazz Bass and the Sansamp is much less appealing to me . I like his sound and approach on Counterparts , but since then his sound has been less exciting to me . He used to have a markedly different tone on each new album , but for a long time now he seems to have settled on a kind of modern rock bass by numbers sort of sound i.e a Fender bass with a distorted top end , and I think it's time for a change . [/quote] You have just nailed my exact same sentiments!!!!!!!! Could not agree more - his Fender/Sansamp combination over the last few years leaves me cold.

[quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1375552784' post='2162868'] This is just my personal experience, I am not slagging the guy down or what ever. As i Honestly don't care. Yes it seems companies who are totally established think it's ok to leave customers "out drying" when they exist thanks to us musicians (pro or not) , the people playing their instruments. The list of people I never got answer from , is huge and I have lost count... It is nice to see companies like Fodera after all the thing they've been through, answered me in 37 minutes some months ago... [/quote] I understand what you mean, very frustrating. I think the fact that Paul has enough pre-orders to keep him busy for the next 3-4 years is a contributory reason for the lack of response...but it's no excuse really. To play devils advocate I contacted Paul to inquire about placing an order about 12 months ago and he replied within 24 hours. Perhaps you have been unlucky?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1375552900' post='2162870'] I love the tone on that track , too . It was indeed , as far as I know , the Steinberger . I have read Geddy saying in interviews that ,in retrospect , he was less than completly happy with his sound on that album and that he feels the Steinberger lacked a certain bottom -end warmth , but it sounds great to me . The pick-like attack is entirely due to Geddy's uniquely aggressive fingerstyle approach . To properly replicate that sound , though, you to roll up the sleeves of your jacket and a World -class mullet hairstyle . [/quote] Yup...love this tone too. My second favourite recorded Geddy tone to the Wal on "Power Windows".

[quote name='Jack Cahalane' timestamp='1375552701' post='2162866'] Sounds like a plectrum to me [/quote] It does a bit....never known Geddy to use a pick though. Interesting. It has that Wal "wah" type tone but I'm sure I read somewhere in the dim and distant past that he used the XL2 on this recording and tour.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1375529078' post='2162532'] im not knocking Wal basses but when i played one a few years ago, the tone was a very uninspiring thud. it was beautifully made but apart from that i really couldnt see the appeal from the tone. but the feel of the bass was amazing [/quote] Wow...never ever heard anyone say this before! Wow. Ah well...horses for courses.

This has annoyed me since this LP was released way back in the day.....how does Geddy get this tone? I love it...almost a touch of wah or phase..or something!?!? I'm sure he used the Steinberger on this recording as it was pre-Wal era - but I may be wrong. What else is he using??? http://youtu.be/9kJWkmtjoX4

I love Thunderbirds - but the floating bridge on Gibson basses is a hateful abomination imo. The single worst piece of hardware I have ever encountered on any bass guitar.

[quote name='tubbybloke68' timestamp='1375473621' post='2162060'] To be honest I prefer the simplicity of the controls on the passive.im no tech head and I love my wal 5 but in my opinion every setting, whatever you choose is very useable on the passive,whereas not so on the active.I find the same with my alembic actually. The output and 'girth' of sound from the single pup never ceases to amaze me! And nothing else has ever come close to offering that fat ,creamy smooth and definition of note sound . [/quote] How does your Wal 5 compare to your Alembic tone wise? I found that my Wal could do everything my Alembic could do...easier and at half the price!

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1375458163' post='2161734'] Standard though, isn't it? The medical profession has such a strong focus around pain relief - so, that's what I got. Have found a good osteopath locally, recommended from an old work colleague - so I'll be having a trial session next week! He was right in his admonition, however. I could be a bit lighter, and I have a history - not only from when I slipped my disc, but I did crawl out of a car crash and have had a whole swathe of earlier sporting injuries (both of which did for my back!), so... bugger, might have to take that one on the chin and get back on the bike. [/quote] Hope things improve. Back pain/sciatica is horrible.

It doesn't really matter how you decide to develop and advance, there will always be others who disagree with your chosen methods....because they aren't you.