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American Jazz or Geddy Lee?

F

FeNdER MaN33

Mar 16, 2008
13
1
New Richmond, Ohio
#1
Im planning on purchasing a new bass sometime in the near future and am looking to buy a jazz bass. I would like to know, based on user expierience, whether or not i should go with the American Jazz, or the Japanese, Geddy Lee. Knowing that the MIA jazz is more expensive, im curious as to know if the cheaper Geddy delivers just as much, or if not better.

Please post your opinions and comments based on use of the basses. Thanks.

P.S- If anyone knows if the 08' Geddy's have the Hipshot tuners on them let me know. I know the new MIA's have them.
 
#2
I have an '05 Geddy, and it is everything I ever wanted a Jazz bass to be.

The neck is the #1 difference. The Geddy has a smaller neck, and it's not for everyone. Be sure you try them both, and don't discount the Highway One model. MIA and same price as the Geddy.
 
#3
Hi there I tried many jazz basses and had mia mim and the best jazz bass out ther is the marcus miller with active electronics. Its a made in Japan and comes with a deluxe fender gigbag. By the way I sold all of my jazz basses and kept the Marcus Miller. The best way to choose would be to try them. I think that Mia is way too expensive for what you really get Japan is a great $/value ratio. Keep on rocking.
 
#5
I tried the MIA Jazz Standard ($1100+) and the Highway One ($850) and ultimately chose the Highway One. IMO, it sounded better, and the neck felt more comfortable in my smaller hands. Maybe it was just that one Standard, but...

I would definately do a side by side between these two (or all three) before you decide. I'm also very happy with my MIJ '87 Jazz Bass Special.
 
#8
FeNdER MaN33 said:
I hav'nt ever considered a Highway One, im more conserned with how the Geddy stands up to an American Standard.. keep comments and replies coming folks.
Click to expand...

The Geddy is probably the nicest Jazz I have played. I hate most jazz basses, but happen to love that one. The neck is like a toothpick, but it's comfortable, balances well and of course has the bubbly, nasaly tone or that nasty picked sound many know and love.

I know, I know. I just said get a P-bass.
 
#10
You'll certainly get a range of opinions on this here, and these may or may not be useful if you're not in position to go and try these basses for yourself. But the ONLY way to answer this one for sure is to go and try a few MIA Jazz basses and compare them to a Geddy Lee model and then decide which you prefer. If it's the Geddy, then fine. If it's the MIA, then you have to decide if it's worth the extra $$$ for you.

It's worth mentioning that apparently identical basses can vary quite a bit, so do take care. Trying one in a store and then ordering one that should be exactly the same online to save a bit of cash can be a real gamble.
 
#13
I have to say that time and time again I go into guitar center and say, "Today, I am going to like an MIA Jazz" and every time I'm wrong. For me the Geddy is the best Jazz out there *I like it even better than the customs, but that's just me* the neck is slimmer, which is nice for me, and it feels like the neck is faster, though that's probably just psychosomatic. Really it has a great tone (thank you badass bridge) and can get a wide range of colors in it's tone. not to mention, black block inlays? yes.
 
#14
I have a Geddy Lee Jazz and an 00 MIA Jazz; to be honest I love them both for different reasons. If I had to choose, it would be the MIA, and if I had the option to buy a new 08 MIA jazz or Geddy now I'd get the MIA jazz. It is a better instrument hands down.
 
#17
My vote is for the Geddy or if you can for the Marcus. Had a American 75 reissue, it was a good bass, but the Japanese basses put it to shame for the price.
I still can't fathom why people buy MIA Fenders. So overpriced...if your going to lay out money like that for a new one, save up a little more and buy a used Sadowsky Metro...

BTW I own a CIJ 75 Reissue that is abslutely top notch, much better thatn the MIA I used to own. Just my opinion I guess...
 

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