SignatureAurora75

I second everything you've just said. My ASOH cd has been listened to sooo many times, meanwhile my Different Stages hasn't really seen that much play. To me, that sound he went back to just seemed like a step backward. The 80's tone of his, especially the clean and wiry tones just seemed so original. Nobody else was really into doing that stuff it seemed. Nice video of that 250RL. That thing sounded great, huh?I would have to say that is the sound there of that good old GK stuff. Similar to the 2000CPL indeed, but with the CPL you've got your compression, chorus, and reverb to add on. Once I kick that chorus switch on it's like instantaneous ASOH. OK now to answer your questions about the Signatures. I have two Signatures - 1 Aurora (SSS single coil active fernandes) and 1 Oracle (HSH Evans with splitable humbuckers). Now, for this bozo wondering why I'm here asking questions, this is why: It totally does and doesn't make sense about some of those clean tones he was getting. OK bear with me here, as you might have to read this 2 or 3 times to make sense... First, the Evans pickups are totally clean and quiet. They really have a clean tone to them, and I'm talking straight through (like bypassed all the effects and stuff). Now, I wouldn't say they sound overly "wiry", just clean. That's on the Oracle with the coil tapped to single coil mode. Now, The Aurora on the other hand is very "wiry", and I think I told you that I believe the Fernandes actives on it to be the same exact pickup as an EMG S. You had mentioned EMG S and how "wiry" they sounded, so this is why the Aurora is wiry. When I plug my Aurora into the GK2000 CPL, It does sound like ASOH. However, when I plug in my Oracle (Evans, tapped single coil mode, of course), It REALLY sounds like ASOH. BIG TIME It shouldn't make sense, right? But that's the way it is. It's like Evans pickups were just made to work with GK Now, these "wirey" tones we were talking about, (remember this upcoming part I'm talking about so we don't get album songs confused. I'm strictly talking about ASOH only). Listen to the end of "Manhattan Project" on that album, and a solo from La Villa Strangiato. Those are REALLY REALLY REALLY clean tones, wonderful I might add... However, those I believe are run by something else besides the GK. Something that Jimmy Johnson probably mentioned in your letter. To answer your questions about the toggle switches on the Signatures: Those are exactly what you thought they were. Pickup on, pickup off - for all 3 pickups. Which is a beautiful thing because it gives you options for all kinds of tones. You're not limited in a way as you are on say a 5 way switch. Why don't some other guitar companies do that? Another wonderful thing about Signatures: They have a little holder mounted on the back of the headstocks for the hex keys for the locking nuts. This way the hex keys are always with the guitar. Why in the hell don't any other guitar companies do that? The Oracle has push-pull pots for coil tapping. I'm hesitant to take those Fernandes out of my Aurora and put Evans in. I like that wireyness a lot of the time. However, if I had the specs to Alex's pre-amp he had on his Aurora then I probably would change it. Just so it can be like a copy because I always thought that guitar was so damn cool. I even have a Boy Scout panther patch on my Aurora just like he had on his. I hope you enjoy your new 2000CPL. Most of the time I have that 10.khz knob on my 2000 all the way up on mine so I can get that "wireyness". Signatures are not necessarily really "wirey" even when that knob is down. I turn that knob down though if I start to get a headache from those high frequencies. Thanks for that letter too.

QUOTE (mrbarlint @ Sep 18 2009, 05:55 PM) Signature guitars for the win! I love my Odyssey modded with an original floyd rose trem. + GK 250ML + Marshall 4x12 = FUN!!! Would like a copy of that email Digitalman85. I've seen your guitar before and I LIKE IT!!!!!!

QUOTE (Terrapin @ Sep 18 2009, 07:16 PM) I'm very curious as to what you're actually getting at. If you were really interested in Signature Guitars you would be spending your time on ebay/Signature tribute site / etc... Why are you asking Rush fans about a specific guitar from the 1980's that Alex Lifeson no longer uses? Are you a guitar player in a long list of Rush tribute bands searching for the Show of Hands "sound"? Or a bedroom guitarist searching for same. I ask because generally, the 80's Lifeson sound has always been considered a bit "Naff " as Alex has clearly stated in many interviews that by all accounts, you are not aware of. It is quite well known that Alex ditched the GK's for Marshalls back in the early 90's So, what are you after exactly and for what reason? Again, it means nothing to me but your obsession (angry posts with barf inducing apologies) is quite interesting. Whats up? Normally, I wouldn't be that bothered, but your obsession with this issue is quite intriguing. I'm very curious as to what you're actually getting at. If you were really interested in Signature Guitars you would be spending your time on ebay/Signature tribute site / etc... Umm, don't you think I've been all over that Signature tribute site? Don't you think I've been all over Ebay as well? Normally, I wouldn't be that bothered, but your obsession with this issue is quite intriguing. You being bothered by my posts it quite intriguing. Oh, interesting, and meszerizing as well. Why are you asking Rush fans about a specific guitar from the 1980's that Alex Lifeson no longer uses? Isn't this the place where Rush fans come and talk about Rush? Alex, Geddy, or Neil maybe? Is it wrong to talk about their equipment? OH GOD I BETTER NOT MENTION MINI MOOG! Are you a guitar player in a long list of Rush tribute bands searching for the Show of Hands "sound"? Or a bedroom guitarist searching for same. I'm actually an "Office" guitarist. I ask because generally, the 80's Lifeson sound has always been considered a bit "Naff " as Alex has clearly stated in many interviews that by all accounts, you are not aware of. It is quite well known that Alex ditched the GK's for Marshalls back in the early 90's Wrong. I am aware how he feels about his sound now about his sound then. Why do you assume I'm not aware? What do you think he would say about his sound if you had asked him back then? I am totally aware he ditched his GK's. Not only did he use Marshall's, but he used other amps too! Are you AWARE of that? So, what are you after exactly and for what reason? I wouldn't say I'm after anything. I've got my Signature guitars, I've got my Gallien Kruegers. Life is good. Is it wrong to talk with others about same interests I share? As I've said, it's clear that a lot of people and maybe even Alex now aren't into that guitar sound. However, I've met many different people and continue to meet people that like playing guitar and like that sound. Again, it means nothing to me but your obsession (angry posts with barf inducing apologies) is quite interesting. Well, since you vomited all over yourself, here - I'll vomit all over you too. Wow, bleech. Your interest in me makes me sick! Whats up? Your nose.

QUOTE (DigitalMan85 @ Sep 17 2009, 11:48 PM) (I emailed Jimmy Johnson, Alex's tech from that era, and he told me EVERYTHING about that setup - let me know if you want a copy). Please, god yes send me a copy. The keys to the kingdom!

Hey DigitalMan that was an excellent outstanding beautiful post. You just made my day. Very very informative stuff, I just eat that up, for me it seems like good people that share my same interest are hard to come by. Thank you for the info about Craigslist reader, that will definitely be a valuable tool. Strangely enough, I never checked into the 2100SEL. If I would have known about that being pretty much the same thing then I would have just recommended it to him in the first place. Plus, perhaps I would have been looking for one. I don't have any clips of my sounds, but I'm working toward that. Here's how I have my setup, and by the way you may laugh and some may find this unusual: My 2000 CPL is sitting on its side right next to my computer monitor right now as I type, resting on an old copy VHS tape of Rush live from the Counterparts tour. I had to put that tape there to level it because I'm sure you know about the rack mounts that protrude. All I've got plugged into the back is the power cable. Now, I mostly play in front of my computer anyhow since I jam along with Rush via WMP or practice using Guitar Pro 5. The 2000cpl has a headphones output right next to the power button. I have a cord from there going into the input jack for my computer speakers (Bose, hey they sound great!) Once I get my 250ML back I plan on taking out the 2000cpl and hooking it up along with the 250ML, then I have a couple of Marshall cabs and I will be able to play LOUD. I tried to hook my 2000CPL right up to my Marshall amp and what a waste of time that was. It seemed that the marshall took away a lot of that magical sound of the GK2000cpl. Now, your choice and mention of pickups was right on. Those EMG S series (Although I havent heard the H) should get that "acoustic", Tai Shan, Territories clean sound). After my big rant yesterday, someone had mentioned "I feel your pain, but it really does all start with the pickups." So, I came home and played each of my 5 different guitars in 10 minutes through my 2000CPL. While they all did have a similar tone, it was clearly quite evident that that some pickups REALLY sounded like Alex's tone, particularly the Evans and the stock pickups on the the Signature Aurora. The pickups on the Aurora are actives that were made by Fernandes. I would bet they are the same thing as the EMG S. Alex's Aurora actually had passive Evans pickups connected to an on-board pre-amp, which I've been working on cloning with no luck. That's great you got an email from Jimmy Johnson! I actually emailed him once a few months back but never got a response. I wanted to ask him questions about gear too and particularly the moment when Great White was dropped and the neck broke. Please do record some of your work and post it up as soon as you can.

And by the way WC thanks for that great info in the other room about the recording mixers!

It's sort of like my whole post of my rant. I used a lot of swears and probably came off hostile, but the whole thing was actually fun for me to write. There was no intent to hurt anyones feelings. Some people get their feelings hurt quite eisily and others just have thick skin. The same goes true for people you deal with in person. It's just best to address everyone in a respectful tone and manner because you really have no idea how far their sense of humor goes and where it exactly ends for them. The same thing happened to me in another post just today where someone accused me of being defensive. I thought that was rather odd because I hadn't even used any swears. I believe people fight on the internet more, way more than they actually do in person. What's going on here is a perfect example why. When you can't actually see a person you can't read their body language and get a full understanding of what they actually mean. For me, when that bozo (.... ahem excuse me - kind Rush Forum patron) said that Signature Guitars were crap, I actually believed he typed it from feeling and didn't think about what he actually said. I really believe he meant it in a joking manner. However, if it was said with an intent to actually convey his message in a hostile manner, I still would regard it with a joke. Either way to me it's not a serious statement. OK, back to the topic at hand now

WC you are correct, I was out of line. That really was innapropriate. I really need to think more before I type because I can see how that can be uncalled for. I will work on conveying my thoughts in a more appropriate manner. Sometimes I just write as I am concentrating on my feelings rather than actually thinking about what it is exactly as I'm saying. I can assure you my feelings were not hostile and those words were spoken in a less sincere, more joking manner. It's sort of like what I do in person with a smile on my face while having a friendly argument with someone. I really do recognize people have different opinions and the best way to get along with another person and a group as a whole is to respect others' opinions. I apologize

QUOTE (bigmoney2112 @ Sep 17 2009, 03:24 PM) those guitars are crap MF please! Idiot, if you make a statement like that you need to back it up. Tell us why you think they're crap. You ever played one?

Indeed they are hard to find. Signatures, like the GK2000cpl come up only once in a blue moon. There was just one sold last week on Ebay. In fact, it was a Visionary model and it went for about 2 grand. Other Signatures have been sold on there say within the last year have sold for around $1500.00

I apologize, honestly it was meant to be a joke. I probably should have added a a smiley face or something, like this:

Don't bother. You're not going to change my feelings no matter what you come up with. There's really nothing that can be said to get me to bow down to you.

You are correct about him describing the position of the trem and his attitude toward locking nuts. That I agree with. The guitar that he's referring to about having difficulty staying in tune is his Gibson ES-355. He wasn't necessarily bashing his Signature here, never once does he say anything really negative about it. He wouldn't either, it's not his character to degrade something. The metal feel and appearance were just a quirk. It's the same as the quirk about his ES-355 staying in tune. We all know that his ES-355 is his favorite guitar ever and probably considers it another member of his family. The Great White Signature Aurora was another beloved instrument of his. He loved that guitar for its own personal characteristics (wood, vibration, feel, sound, etc). Thanks for posting that article. I hadn't seen that interview before and it was a treat. I eat up anything to do in regards to these Signatures.

QUOTE (RushFanForever @ Sep 17 2009, 07:44 AM) Alex mentioned in an interview that he really struggled with the Signature guitars. They had problems staying in tune and were at times not comfortable to play. I can't imagine where in the hell you read that? He was the one that designed those guitars. From everything I've read I've heard the opposisite. He tested fretboard radiuses, and plotted locations for switches and knobs. I can't imagine it being "uncomfortable" at all - the guitars are not heavy at all. Plus - how can you go wrong with a Floyd Rose tremolo? Those things always stay in tune!

Good Luck!

Trust me, you NEED to get that pre-amp. There is nothing else in this world that will get you remotely near that sound from ASOH than the 2000cpl. I tried for years tweaking amps, chorus effects, eq's, delays, everything to get that sound. I got in the ballpark with those, but I still wasn't happy. Once I got that 2000cpl my quest had been accomplished, and I remember how much I regretted wasting my time with all the other shit. Even with your hollowbody now, even plug that in and you'll be surprised at how similar the tone is. Remember, his sound from that time was more electronically driven, especially live. Pickups do make a difference, but that pre-amp is the biggest factor in that whole sound. I'd say 75% of the tone comes from the preamp and the other 25% from his Aurora. So get that thing before it's too late. Cheers

Even if you don't have a Signature, you may be able to run across some Evans and slap them into something to further get that tone. However, you will be close no matter what guitar you have IMHO with that GK2000cpl. I was so excited the day I got mine, I still feel lucky to have found it and remember when I first plugged it in. I played that famous Alex chord and that sound was it. I thought "What a beautiful thing, now I can be Alex Lifeson." They also make a footswitch for that thing that I think is just as hard an item to come by. I finally got my footswitch a few months back and now life is good. If only the amp repairman would fix my Alex Lifeson GK250ML tiny amp. For christ's sake he's had it for about 2 months now and needs to hurry up because I want to play LOUD. Cheers

That guitar is a Signature Aurora. You can read much more about it here: http://www.geocities.com/signatureguitar If you need any more info, feel free to ask. I could probably help if you are serious about getting that sound. That guitar sound on ASOH is truly unique and I have a thing for it. The main driving force behind that sound originates from the Gallien Krueger 2000cpl pre-amp and the Evans single coils he used. If you are serious I'd suggest getting one of those 2000cpl's now. There is actually one on Ebay now, which if I were you I'd grab because those are a very rare find and show up only once in a blue moon. Cheers