Want to know how to rock like Reeves?
Well, here's Keanu's bass rig config. It's a start.....
Up top, with the red glowy thing, is a rack mounted tuner. After a lucky google image search, I figured out that it's a KORG DTR1.
Beneath that is the heart of the rig, the amp.
Keanu plays through a Gallien-Krueger 800RB head.
"Designed twenty years ago, the 800RB has become a standard of the industry. In an era where most bass amps came in bulky wooden cases, had three knob passive EQ, and weighed a ton, the 800RB stood alone. A 400W Bi-Amp head in a rack mountable metal case, with four bands of active EQ, three voicing filters, and weighing only 23lbs. It was an instant hit! Today it is still the choice of countless players, touring bands, and back line companies, and is the foundation upon which all GK bass amplifiers are built." - Gallien-Krueger.com
If you'll look closely at Keanu's GK 800RB, you'll see that there's a piece of tape below the controls. I'm pretty sure it has his settings written on it.
The Musician's Friend website says: "You can't go wrong with the 800RB, as long as you have some speakers. "
So what speakers does Keanu use?
SWR Workingman's Series 4x10T speakers.
These puppies weigh 97 pounds each and Keanu uses two of them.
They get good reviews at Music123.com and Harmony Central, reliable with great sound and affordable. Even his rumble is humble. You've got to love him.
The GK 800RB has footswitchable boost and that requires....a footswitch!
Reeves uses a Boss FS-5U non-latching footswitch. It's a "momentary"-type switch that only engages the effect when those pigeon-toes are actually standing on it. I'm really going to pay attention at the next show I go to as to when he hits the boost.
If the amp is the heart of the setup, then the bass is its soul.
Keanu's played quite a few basses over the years, including a Fender Precision. These days, his basses are custom made by Dan Ransom of Ransom Guitars in San Fransisco.
He seems to favor this one recently. I can't blame him. It's gorgeous and has great sound as well. I'd love to hold it almost as much as I'd like to hold him. I've actually dreamt about this bass. Someday, hopefully I'll have my own Ransom.
Now, I'm not ready to go out and invest in this kind of rig for myself yet, but when I do you can be sure I'll be trying some of these components out, especially the GK 800RB. I don't know about those 97 pound speakers, though. I'll need someone strong to carry those for me.
becky | from inside the mind of krix at April 22, 2004 02:50 PM .. . . . WOW! *as in so impressively cool, it blows you away*...
:)
I wanna be a "groupie" LOL!
Posted by: shelz on April 22, 2004 03:30 PMSounds like he has all the right stuff!
Posted by: sta-cie on April 22, 2004 03:32 PMwow...I know this sounds silly, but...this so full of love of the bass and the player..thanks for sharing the love, krix.
OK, yeah that was silly. Does anybody know what I mean?
Posted by: bakednudel on April 22, 2004 04:17 PMGood work krix. Thanks for the information.
And ya never know, you might just get that tall, strapping young man to carry your gear for you.
Coolness...
Posted by: Keanuette on April 22, 2004 04:18 PMTape?! Bwahahah! Is it the same as Shoe Tape?
Although I don't understand all this, it's very cool stuff to know - you know, if it ever comes up in conversation with the man, I could say more than "muwahhwhhhwhwhaa"
Plus I like to say "Korg."
Posted by: Chianti on April 22, 2004 04:42 PMHAHA the many uses for tape......:) Keanu seems to know a lot of them :D
Posted by: Mrs. Cool Breeze on April 22, 2004 05:25 PMkrix, your research skills are extraordinary. I understand not much of this, but I am most impressed nonetheless. It all *sounds* very cool.
On a different note, I am right now watching the Global Warming special hosted by our favourite guy and some musician chick with a weird name ;D. Who knew the words "Carbon Dioxide" could be so swoon worthy. Same goes for "eco-systems", "bio-diversity", "Elements table", "Environment Canada", "weather predicting"...
Posted by: Zen on April 22, 2004 05:43 PMWow, impressive homework, krix,I gave you an A!
Just... you didnīt mentioned a type of plectrum ;-))
LOL Zen.
"bio-diversity" - sounds almost dirty.
I hope us lower continentals get to see the Global Warming special too.
Posted by: Chianti on April 22, 2004 08:08 PMImpressive, Krix! Thanks a lot...
Thanks to SWR for helping provide our man with those nice muscles in his upper torso!
And the Ransom is indeed handsome.
swooooon...
You made a poetry link!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Oh, I hope people come read "Freaky Man," It's my new favorite and it comes with that gorgeously awful picture of him in that dazzling, hideous blue suit! I stare at the picture and am crushed, and I love it!
Posted by: Smit too on April 23, 2004 03:38 AMOK, on taking a second look...it's been soooooo long since I've looked upclose at a band setup....what's up with the thick red cords connecting the bass to the amp? When did they stop being thin black cords? (probably 30 years ago LOL) or wireless?
Posted by: bakednudel on April 23, 2004 04:15 AMCouldn't find the poetry link Smit..????...and now won't have time to look as I will be traveling/working all day today. See you all later!
Posted by: shelz on April 23, 2004 07:02 AMKrix, your research and all your information gathering skills are soooo impressive!! I was thinking yesterday that James Lipton needs to come to your site or e-mail you for help in compiling many of his 800 little blue interview cards for May 10th. Thanks for sharing with us, as always.
...and you know we are always interested in the details of Mr. Reeves' equipment.... It's all about the bass, Baby! And you totally ROCK!
Posted by: Tawny on April 23, 2004 09:20 AMOne last question regarding the recent gigs--was there any sign of a video crew working on a possible DVD release for becky? I would buy that almost before I'd buy a CD (*slaps self*bad fan*) just to have the chance to see them playing!
Posted by: bakednudel on April 23, 2004 09:34 AMK and Rach...there is a problem with the tix. I've sent you an urgent email. Help! LOL!
Posted by: shelz on April 23, 2004 09:38 AMThe poetry link is right under the nudelings link in the Most Triumphant section.
Posted by: Smit too on April 23, 2004 11:47 AMWith the exception of the bass, we sell every single bit of that setup at my work. We should sell the basses too if they weren't so dang 'spensive. The guy lives right up the street.
Posted by: hoopty on April 26, 2004 09:24 AMHold onto one of those rack tuners, they don't make that model anymore.
I'm going to have to come visit you.
Posted by: krix on April 26, 2004 10:43 AMRemember, this is a fan site.
Keanu Reeves is in no way connnected to this website.
Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.