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Fender Geddy Lee or Fender American Series?
- Thread starter Stampy
- Start date
i have a geddy and an anerican...i love my geddy, teh neck is just right, the tone is Right, teh weight is a little heavier than my american.
BUT...you better get a geddy used (not $1000) if youi HAVE to have new buy the american for $50 more
BUT...you better get a geddy used (not $1000) if youi HAVE to have new buy the american for $50 more
My next purchase is going to be between the two and I am so undecided. I love Rush and to me the Geddy Lee sig is the mecca of basses, but I love the American Series too.
I have tried the American Series and I love it but the Sam Ash and Guitar Center that are within a driving distances from me don't carry the Geddy. They will only order if I will buy.
Both basses sound good, I prefer the American's tone a little more...it's ballsier, IMO. I don't care for the tiny neck on the Geddy. Both basses are good, it is a matter of which one fits your personal needs the best
Owned both, gigged with both. The Geddy is a good bass. Finish on the neck is a bit thick and if you buy one used for $500-600 they're an OK deal. That being said I'd rather play an American series and since they both cost pretty close to the same now (I guess Fender wants to stop selling the Geddy Lees?) I go for the American.
Not slammin the Geddy Lee. It's simply not worth $1000.
Not slammin the Geddy Lee. It's simply not worth $1000.
American all the way.
The GL is a fine bass, but it's just not fair comparing the two, nor is it fair to be charging almost the same for the two.
As has been said before, the GL is simply not worth the same as an American Standard. Whether it's worth any given dollar amount is kind of subjective, but relative to the American, there's simply no contest.
It should also be noted that this year's American Standards are fantastic basses, more so than most previous years IME.
The GL is a fine bass, but it's just not fair comparing the two, nor is it fair to be charging almost the same for the two.
As has been said before, the GL is simply not worth the same as an American Standard. Whether it's worth any given dollar amount is kind of subjective, but relative to the American, there's simply no contest.
It should also be noted that this year's American Standards are fantastic basses, more so than most previous years IME.
I used to own a Geddy Lee before it was called a Geddy Lee. Alas, it was stolen . Best bass I ever played. I payed $400 for it! On the other hand, I would not pay $1000 for a new one.
The neck on the Geddy would definitely make me recommend try before you buy. It's a lot different than a standard Jazz neck.
I think best bang for the buck and tone is Geddy Lee... unless you go for the American Deluxe which has more versatility and of course for about $600 more
Would the neck be similiar to the ones on the Ibanez SR Series? I own an SR300 and I love the thin neck on it.
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Consider this:
- New Fenders American Std have a thicker neck profile that previous years. Of all the MIA Fender Jazz I`ve played, it has the roundest neck. It`s not as thick as a Precision, but I`d say someway similar to a Stingray. The Geddy Lee Sig on the other side, has probably the slimmer neck profile of all Fender Jazzes.
- One thing you might also consider is that newer American Stad have better hardware (tuners, bridge) but the finish is thinner. I`ve found it`s quite easy to scratch/ding them.
That quality provides a more open sound but protects the bass less.
Have you considered the Marcus Miller Jazz? I bought one when they were fairly new about 5 years ago for $750 from Sam Ash and I still love it. I've owned an Elrick, Pedulla and built a Warmoth around the MM Jazz and still use the MM Fender workhorse the most. Though now they cost $1150 online new, I think it's worth the extra $150 for an active preamp for tone control. Passive basses just don't work for me.
But good luck shopping, and if you can, always try before you buy.
But good luck shopping, and if you can, always try before you buy.
I have an answer GET BOTH!.. thats what I did.
I bought the GL back when it was 600 or so.. I just got the 08 standard for my Bday in June..The 08 is lighter and has better fret work and the pickups seem to have more output,but FWIW my girl and her girlfriends state the GL looks cooler.
I bought the GL back when it was 600 or so.. I just got the 08 standard for my Bday in June..The 08 is lighter and has better fret work and the pickups seem to have more output,but FWIW my girl and her girlfriends state the GL looks cooler.
