Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass

Geddy Lee is both the frontman of the band Rush and a significant collector of vintage electric bass guitars. From his collection and years of study, comes the excellent book Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass. Co-written with Daniel Richler and John “Skully” McIntosh and photographed by Richard Sibbald, Bass may now be the best book on the subject. Covering more than two-hundred fifty bass guitars from the 1950s to the 1980s, they are everything from rare brands, to well loved and used by other musicians.

Included in the book are interviews with classic musicians like Bob Wyman, Les Claypool, John Paul Jones, and others, but the real meat of the book is Geddy’s own stories of the guitars. He discusses the stories behind the guitars, where they have been used (or not) and the history of each.

As advertised on the cover, this is a big, beautiful book of bass guitars. But it’s more than just a photo journal (and yes, the photography is incredible). It’s also a history of the guitar, their makers and their owners. It’s Geddy’s love letter to his instrument, with side letters from fellow devotees. Any fan of classic rock, guitars, or Rush will find plenty to love in this book.