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CIJ Geddy Lee experts- Does this seem legit?

#41
@Gluvhand @Maxdusty @dkelley @erratick
So....Bass arrived today. Attached are some photos. Badass II bridge, truss at the heel(I thought it was at the top of the headstock) and signature on back. So I think the opinion is correct that someone tried to remove the "made in Japan/mexico", which I dont know why you would, and had a neckplate made. I didnt take the neck off but who knows if its MIJ or MIM without the identifier..I have to say that I am utterly disgusted and nauseated the way some people treat their instruments. Frets, tuners, body, neck and bridge were either tarnished or disgusting. If the previous owner stuck his bare hand in a peanut butter jar, licked his fingers and then played this bass it wouldnt surprise me..thats how nasty it WAS...and forget the strings.. So I took off the pickguard and strings and blasted this thing with Dunlop cleansers and lets just say that the cloths are in the washing machine. Strung it up with brand new Fender 9050s and WOW is this thing is a BEAST. I have never owned a 70s spaced jazz and maybe thats not the whole surprise but I am VERY happy with this and can now understand what all the hype is behind these. Not sure what the magic potion is but I thought I would miss my 60s RW jazz but this thing just kills. Anyway, just wanted you all to know that I appreciate all of your responses and suggestions. Its a keeper and GC isnt getting this one back this time:hyper:
...And believe it or not I am not a Geddy fan even though the 4th pic may display that:-)
geddy 2.jpg

Before cleaning^^
geddy3.jpg

geddy3.jpg

After cleaning^^
geddy.jpg

geddy4.jpg
 
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#42
FishDub said:
@Gluvhand @Maxdusty @dkelley @erratick
So....Bass arrived today. Attached are some photos. Badass II bridge, truss at the heel(I thought it was at the top of the headstock) and signature on back. So I think the opinion is correct that someone tried to remove the "made in Japan/mexico", which I dont know why you would, and had a neckplate made. I didnt take the neck off but who knows if its MIJ or MIM without the identifier..I have to say that I am utterly disgusted and nauseated the way some people treat their instruments. Frets, tuners, body, neck and bridge were either tarnished or disgusting. If the previous owner stuck his bare hand in a peanut butter jar, licked his fingers and then played this bass it wouldnt surprise me..thats how nasty it WAS...and forget the strings.. So I took off the pickguard and strings and blasted this thing with Dunlop cleansers and lets just say that the cloths are in the washing machine. Strung it up with brand new Fender 9050s and WOW is this thing is a BEAST. I have never owned a 70s spaced jazz and maybe thats not the whole surprise but I am VERY happy with this and can now understand what all the hype is behind these. Not sure what the magic potion is but I thought I would miss my 60s RW jazz but this thing just kills. Anyway, just wanted you all to know that I appreciate all of your responses and suggestions. Its a keeper and GC isnt getting this one back this time:hyper:
...And believe it or not I am not a Geddy fan even though the 4th pic may display that:)
View attachment 4267037
Before cleaning^^
View attachment 4267042
View attachment 4267042
After cleaning^^
View attachment 4267046
View attachment 4267047
Click to expand...
Very nice!!! I think the Geddy Lee is the best Jazz Bass Fender makes. The US and Japanese models are primo .
I hope you enjoy it for years to come .
 
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#45
FishDub said:
@Gluvhand @Maxdusty @dkelley @erratick
So....Bass arrived today. Attached are some photos. Badass II bridge, truss at the heel(I thought it was at the top of the headstock) and signature on back. So I think the opinion is correct that someone tried to remove the "made in Japan/mexico", which I dont know why you would, and had a neckplate made. I didnt take the neck off but who knows if its MIJ or MIM without the identifier..I have to say that I am utterly disgusted and nauseated the way some people treat their instruments. Frets, tuners, body, neck and bridge were either tarnished or disgusting. If the previous owner stuck his bare hand in a peanut butter jar, licked his fingers and then played this bass it wouldnt surprise me..thats how nasty it WAS...and forget the strings.. So I took off the pickguard and strings and blasted this thing with Dunlop cleansers and lets just say that the cloths are in the washing machine. Strung it up with brand new Fender 9050s and WOW is this thing is a BEAST. I have never owned a 70s spaced jazz and maybe thats not the whole surprise but I am VERY happy with this and can now understand what all the hype is behind these. Not sure what the magic potion is but I thought I would miss my 60s RW jazz but this thing just kills. Anyway, just wanted you all to know that I appreciate all of your responses and suggestions. Its a keeper and GC isnt getting this one back this time:hyper:
...And believe it or not I am not a Geddy fan even though the 4th pic may display that:)
View attachment 4267037
Before cleaning^^
View attachment 4267042
View attachment 4267042
After cleaning^^
View attachment 4267046
View attachment 4267047
Click to expand...
I was wondering what was on the body in the store photos before you got the bass. Looked like it was smeared in something. Great job in getting that cleaned up.
Nothing like getting a bass, dismantling it and cleaning it - it's therapeutic much like tending to a bonsai tree.
It did look like someone scraped off the MIJ and serial number, who knows why, maybe wanted it to be indistinguishable from the US version?
That is a MIJ if you go by the serial number, MIM didn't start production of the bass till July of 2012. Also the neck binding on the MIM is thicker than the MIJ.
Congratulations and sounds like a keeper for sure.
 
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#47
dkelley said:
That's fantastic news, although gross sounding. Glad you got it all cleaned up! And, I admire your choice in instruments, the Steinberger is an oustanding bass also.

How does the neck thickness feel? Thinner than your 60s? I think it's supposed to be, isn't it?
Click to expand...
It’s weird.. it feels similar but because this neck is glossy and the 60s is unfinished. I’d say the 60s is faster but this neck feels more solid?
 
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#48
dkelley said:
That's fantastic news, although gross sounding. Glad you got it all cleaned up! And, I admire your choice in instruments, the Steinberger is an oustanding bass also.

How does the neck thickness feel? Thinner than your 60s? I think it's supposed to be, isn't it?
Click to expand...
Thanks..The xl2 is one of the basses that fits like a glove. The neck on it is so tiny I can understand why some don’t like it and the spacing.. I love it
 
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#50
FishDub said:
Thanks..The xl2 is one of the basses that fits like a glove. The neck on it is so tiny I can understand why some don’t like it and the spacing.. I love it
Click to expand...

Yup. Back of the headshot looks right. That neck looks right, hardware correct. I think for whatever reason the neck maker mark/serial is gone and the plate is there. I'm wondering what you'll find if you take the neck off, but you may never know the real story. Replacement neck is my best guess.

They are great basses. Not planning on letting mine go anytime soon. Glad it plays well and went to a good home. Funny- the tuning keys on mine tend to tarnish compared to other basses I have, takes a little TLC.
 
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