PlayTheRoot Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Does anyone absolutely love Alex's shimmering chord tones on the 80's synth albums? (Aside from them being the best albums that Rush has to offer ) I mean, in songs like Digital Man, DEW, Mystic Rhythms (that one is even more special, because I believe it is on an electro-acoustic), Chemistry, Countdown, The Big Money, and others. I've never heard another guitarist other than Lerxst nail such a clear, crisp, three-dimensional rhythm tone, while also retaining a sharp aggression, and clearly doesn't sound limp or clean, other than some of the tones on HYF (my least favorite offering) which do sound rather wimpy, and yet still miles better than any other cheap 80's arena act this side of GTR. Come bask in his glorious TOANZ with me. Some of my faves: DEW: Marathon: Digital Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFcWdco1nw&feature=relmfu Kid Gloves: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirteen Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) Alex sound and technique at this time (especially his use of arpeggios) is why Alex became my favourite guitarist. Edited October 22, 2012 by thirteen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowItIs Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 QUOTE (PlayTheRoot @ Oct 21 2012, 07:35 PM) Does anyone absolutely love Alex's shimmering chord tones on the 80's synth albums? (Aside from them being the best albums that Rush has to offer ) I mean, in songs like Digital Man, DEW, Mystic Rhythms (that one is even more special, because I believe it is on an electro-acoustic), Chemistry, Countdown, The Big Money, and others. I've never heard another guitarist other than Lerxst nail such a clear, crisp, three-dimensional rhythm tone, while also retaining a sharp aggression, and clearly doesn't sound limp or clean, other than some of the tones on HYF (my least favorite offering) which do sound rather wimpy, and yet still miles better than any other cheap 80's arena act this side of GTR. Come bask in his glorious TOANZ with me. Some of my faves: DEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kJWkmtjoX4 Marathon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kiz5jyG5j4&feature=related Digital Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFcWdco1nw&feature=relmfu Kid Gloves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukz_T9HFLJU&feature=related Yes, I do! I have maintained that Alex's work in this period is so out-of-the-box (I hate that term but it fits here) and innovative! Having to make his guitar fit in differently really pushed his creativity, IMO. I just love these albums! Kid Gloves is a favorite of mine, too. Great solo in that as well as the lick and chords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CygnusGal Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 QUOTE (PlayTheRoot @ Oct 21 2012, 10:35 PM)Does anyone absolutely love Alex's shimmering chord tones on the 80's synth albums? (Aside from them being the best albums that Rush has to offer ) I mean, in songs like Digital Man, DEW, Mystic Rhythms (that one is even more special, because I believe it is on an electro-acoustic), Chemistry, Countdown, The Big Money, and others. I've never heard another guitarist other than Lerxst nail such a clear, crisp, three-dimensional rhythm tone, while also retaining a sharp aggression, and clearly doesn't sound limp or clean, other than some of the tones on HYF (my least favorite offering) which do sound rather wimpy, and yet still miles better than any other cheap 80's arena act this side of GTR. Come bask in his glorious TOANZ with me. Some of my faves: DEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kJWkmtjoX4 Marathon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kiz5jyG5j4&feature=related Digital Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFcWdco1nw&feature=relmfu Kid Gloves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukz_T9HFLJU&feature=related Yes, Alex's 80s tone is stellar. Good examples and you summarize his tone quite well. And welcome to TRF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangster of Goats Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Yes, his 80s tone and style are still probably my favorite from him, followed closely by his 70s tone. In the 90s, his tone had a tendency to sound a little too muffled and murky for my tastes, but in more recent years he seems to be getting back to a good balance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYM86 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 Yes...he does not play with that kind of fineness anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dakota2112 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) I used to agree with the OP about the guitar tone on HYF... and I held it against that album for a LONG TIME... however for some reason, in recent years, I've listened to that album from a new perspective, and I have totally changed my opinion. The guitar tone on that album is absolutely PERFECT for those songs. Maybe it's because I've seen them playing various HYF songs during live performance in (relatively) recent years... the thick and heavy tone he favors these days just does not fit very well with those songs, and I guess it's made me appreciate how much his sparkly and shimmering tone actually is a defining characteristic of the HYF album. (same goes for the Wal bass... the Fender kind of muddies the waters... but that's another topic ) edit: Sorry... back on topic... yes, the 80s Alex tone is pure bliss! And welcome by the way Edited October 22, 2012 by dakota2112 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micgtr71 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 I too have an affinity for the 80s guitar tone. That is the first thing that hit me when Presto came out. I missed that chorus pedal. The stratocaster was a good fit for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shredder2 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 QUOTE (thirteen @ Oct 22 2012, 01:38 AM) Alex sound and technique at this time (especially his use of arpeggios) is why Alex became my favourite guitarist. This is the exact same reason for Alex topping my guitarists list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirteen Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 For sure mate. IMO it is his finest work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av450 Posted October 22, 2012 Share Posted October 22, 2012 The 80's and hemispheres are his best tones. The stuff he did on PoW and HYF is so different than his 70's guitar work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlayTheRoot Posted October 22, 2012 Author Share Posted October 22, 2012 If I may add, I also feel that the super-strats he used at this time, along with the other strat-shaped guitars (like the one used in the Big Money vid) fit Alex the best. I actually prefer them to his current selection of Gibsons and PRS's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Ways Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 A lot of comments about his "80s tone." He had a lot of different tones throughout the era. While some of the trebly work on albums like GuP fit the music I prefer his tones on Limelight. Great distorted tone on riffs, cool cleaner sound on arpeggiated sections and what a great tone in the solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drbirdsong Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 QUOTE (HowItIs @ Oct 22 2012, 03:41 AM) QUOTE (PlayTheRoot @ Oct 21 2012, 07:35 PM) Does anyone absolutely love Alex's shimmering chord tones on the 80's synth albums? (Aside from them being the best albums that Rush has to offer ) I mean, in songs like Digital Man, DEW, Mystic Rhythms (that one is even more special, because I believe it is on an electro-acoustic), Chemistry, Countdown, The Big Money, and others. I've never heard another guitarist other than Lerxst nail such a clear, crisp, three-dimensional rhythm tone, while also retaining a sharp aggression, and clearly doesn't sound limp or clean, other than some of the tones on HYF (my least favorite offering) which do sound rather wimpy, and yet still miles better than any other cheap 80's arena act this side of GTR. Come bask in his glorious TOANZ with me. Some of my faves: DEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kJWkmtjoX4 Marathon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kiz5jyG5j4&feature=related Digital Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCFcWdco1nw&feature=relmfu Kid Gloves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukz_T9HFLJU&feature=related Yes, I do! I have maintained that Alex's work in this period is so out-of-the-box (I hate that term but it fits here) and innovative! Having to make his guitar fit in differently really pushed his creativity, IMO. I just love these albums! Kid Gloves is a favorite of mine, too. Great solo in that as well as the lick and chords. +1 KID GLOVES is the most underrated guitar solo in the entire Rush cannon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ucsteve667 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 not a big strat fan, I am definitely more partial to his Gibsons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Czarcasm Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Thanks for song links. Being The Rush Forum, no one knows what these Rush songs sound like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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