SignatureAurora75

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

Those were some really great posts. Thank you for your input. Wow, I'm kind of liking that Fostex, pretty interesting stuff.

QUOTE (bigmoney2112 @ Sep 17 2009, 03:24 PM)

those guitars are crap

My son and I are guitar players. I am also a drummer, and can also play a little bass. We thought it might be interesting to make our own Rush songs and record them at home.

 

Is there any such piece or pieces of equipment that might allow us to do such a thing? I don't know of anything or how to start making a home recording. All we have are the amps, guitars, drums, and a microphone.

 

I just thought we'd do it for fun if it's possible.

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.

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

On a similar topic,

 

How about the same question I just asked in relationship to the Tone knob?

 

Like the neck pickup, my tone pot is always on, meaning all the way up! Maybe it's just me, but anything less than the fullest sound isn't worth playing. I may have much to learn.

 

I am probably just a treble freak, maybe that's why I love his old Signature guitars.

 

But, say I'm jamming through my amp and there are times when too much treble feels like it's stabbing my eardrums. In that case I would just turn the highs down right at the amp.

Thank you guys for your insight.

OK this may be a dumb question for some of you.

 

Which pickups does Alex use most of the time? I'm assuming the bridge, but when would he ever use his neck pickups?

 

I've watched the live videos and I have never seen Alex do any pickup switching. It seems like he uses the neck pickups.

 

I play the guitar, and I rarely (hardly ever) use anything but my bridge pickups. The bridge is always louder and higher and just seems more clear to me. I can't imagine anyone using a neck pickup unless they're a backup or rhythm guitarist.

 

QUOTE (PhilsFriendMatt @ Jun 19 2009, 08:29 PM)

If I remember correctly someone went to NAMM and actually saw these there. There was a thread on it under this category maybe a few months back. Anyway if I'm still remembering right the kit did have a price tag on it at the show and it was sold. Also it was a one of a kind item and was just a showpiece to draw people to the Ludwig booth, meaning sadly Ludwig has no plans on producing them for the mass market. I don't have time to find the thread right now but I think it may have been Cygnus who went to the show and posted pictures of it.

http://www.ludwig-drums.com/features/roshambo/index.php

 

This is really awesome! I want them. It sounds like they are selling it, maybe not? Are they making more to sell? I wonder how much? I guess I should ask them. In the meantime does anyone know?

if you want to skip the intro fast forward it to about 1:10

 

 

I love it! I know what kind of guitar he is using, but how's that sound coming through? It doesn't sound like a GK2000CPL (I own one).

 

I know there's going to probably be a lot of people that say they don't like that sound, but I absolutely love it! It sounds so ELECTRONIC! Yeah go ahead flame on!!

 

Awesome. I hope to god Alex will use this guitar on stage again.

To be honest I was quite sceptical at first like you. True that they don't really have an original design, except for the routed tops which I think make it look like an original. But the actually WERE designed by Alex Lifeson himself, which kicks ass!

 

A friend of mine has the fifth serial Signature which I have played. I have never felt an electric guitar vibrate and sound so brilliant unplugged in my life. On top of that, it's a bolt on. You can really feel these vibrate through the necks. The bolt on Signatures actually sound better than the neck thru's. They sound better than my neck thru PRS custom 24.

 

Alex probably loved his Great White more than any other Signature because it had its own flavor and originality. I wouldn't doubt he will bring that back out again sometime.

 

Everyone has different tastes. I get so sick and tired of hearing the standard Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster tones.

 

That Odyssey is beautiful! Truly stunning, great pictures. I want a VISIONARY!! That to me is like hitting the lottery. Love my Gallien Krueger 2000CPL, I have been searching hard for the RFG5 foot switch for it with no luck.

The word on the street is that Alex's Great White is serial# 925, which is actually the first production model. Yes, his is the first generation flat top like you have shown, while mine pictured is a curved top second generation. Also, his has passive evans pickups that were wired to a pre-amp. Mine came with active Fernandes pickups that sound great. But, you gotta love those Evans pickups which help give the Signatures their wonderful sound. Like the other guy I normally like to play with the push-pull pot out on the Oracle which deactivates one pickup on the Evans bridge humbucker, which leaves you with a single coil and a bright, cheerful, glowing, fabulous tone.

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww289/shepwhite2112/NewImage.jpg

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/ww289/shepwhite2112/alex901.jpg