Fender MIJ Geddy Lee VS JB-75

[80jazz]

If it were me , I would buy a Geddy Lee and have it refinished if just couldn't live with the black finish.

Here is another vote for this.

You get the bass you want in the color you desire.

 

[Zak TMD]

Geddy Lee US Crimson Limited Feeler Thread w/Poll

Huh... it is quite nice, but it's a bit steep, I think - at least for me. Seeing as how there's a few real 70's jazz basses floating around on Reverb for just a couple hundred more, that'd probably be the route I went, if I wanted to spend that much atm.

 

[songwriter21]

Huh... it is quite nice, but it's a bit steep, I think - at least for me. Seeing as how there's a few real 70's jazz basses floating around on Reverb for just a couple hundred more, that'd probably be the route I went, if I wanted to spend that much atm.

He didn't make an actual sale ad, so maybe negotiate some figures in a PM, never know....

 

[Zak TMD]

If he DOES decide to sell, I'm sure that bass would make someone really really happy! But personally, I dunno if I'm feeling the red.

 

[ELG60]

I've never played nor held a Geddy Lee bass of any place of national origin. With that being said, I do own 2 JB75-94US basses. I liked the first one which I acquired, so much that I pulled the trigger on another when a good deal presented itself. (Pic below)

The darker of the two is a CIJ 2005 with the stock U.S. made pups in the original but incorrect 60's position, and the other is a MIJ 2010 with the corrected 70's spacing.

Pros:
▪︎Powerful pickups with plenty of output
▪︎Very responsive controls
▪︎The neck profiles are identical to my '69 which feels the most natural to me
▪︎They hold tune very well

Cons:
▪︎ The 2nd one I bought (the darker one) had the infamous fretboard crack however it appears stable and my technician, using superglue and rosewood dust made a repair which looks perfect. You'd have to know where to look and that it wasn't the actual woodgrain pattern to discern it.
▪︎ He couldn't find an allan wrench to fit which indicates either some oddball Japanese size or a stripped bullet truss rod, but the microtilt adjustment worked perfectly and as intended.

 

[Edgetone]

I thought I would throw my two cents into this conversation. Hopefully it's relevant and helpful.

I owned a 2003 CIJ Geddy Lee for about 15 years. It was my second bass.

At the time I had nothing else to compare it to, but I loved the neck and became a Jazz fan because of it. Around 2015 I put Dimarzio pickups in it because I wanted a little more beef. Soon after that, I bought a second bass. That started me on a four year spree of trying different basses.

I sold the CIJ in 2017 and bought a USA Geddy Lee. That bass was incredible. It had a meatier neck than the CIJ, and the pickups were my favourite jazz pickups to date. But I couldn't get passed the missing black block inlays and neck binding. I tried to find one of the crimson red ones so I could swap the neck. That didn't happen, so I changed the pickup covers and pickguard to make it more my own.

However I was in a bit of a bass buy and sell frenzy, and last year I sold the USA Geddy, thinking I didn't need a jazz anymore since I had found the L-2500. After a while, I started to settle down my mania and decided to narrow down my selection to four basses. One of them had to be a Jazz.

I decided that even though I am a total Rush nerd, I didn't have to have a Geddy Jazz, but I wanted a 70's Jazz. After looking at the prices of used 70's Jazz basses, and realizing I didn't want to take a chance on one via online sales, I decided on a MIJ '75 reissue.

I knew before I bought it that I would put the tort pickguard on it. But after playing it, I was longing for the beef of the USA Geddy and decided to try Norstrand pickups in it. I did a before and after recording and found that the Norstrands were only slightly tighter in the bass (besides being hum cancelling) than the stock USA pickups.

The '75 is a wonderful instrument. The neck is thinner than the USA, but feels slightly thicker than the CIJ. Either way, it's a wonderful neck. The build quality is better than the regular USA Fenders I've tried. And the pickups are really nice (I only thought they were lacking because of my memories of the USA GL).

Having said all that, if I was starting again and was choosing any jazz bass, I would buy a USA Geddy Lee again. Hands down, it's the best feeling and sounding Jazz I've ever tried. However, I do not feel that I am wanting for anything with the MIJ '75 reissue. And I love the Lake Placid Blue with rosewood, blocks and binding.

Sometimes I watch the local used instrument ads to see if my old CIJ Geddy bass is back on the market, but I wouldn't buy it if it showed up. I might go try to track down that seller of the Crimson USA though. ;-)

 

[BK Bass]

I sold the CIJ in 2017 and bought a USA Geddy Lee. That bass was incredible. It had a meatier neck than the CIJ, and the pickups were my favourite jazz pickups to date. But I couldn't get passed the missing black block inlays and neck binding. I tried to find one of the crimson red ones so I could swap the neck. That didn't happen, so I changed the pickup covers and pickguard to make it more my own.

I don't know why they did this. I just don't get a maple neck with non-black blocks. Yuck.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I don't know why they did this. I just don't get a maple neck with non-black blocks. Yuck.

I like the black blocks. However I find the pearl blocks more pleasing to my eye .
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder .

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I thought I would throw my two cents into this conversation. Hopefully it's relevant and helpful.

I owned a 2003 CIJ Geddy Lee for about 15 years. It was my second bass.
View attachment 4094643
At the time I had nothing else to compare it to, but I loved the neck and became a Jazz fan because of it. Around 2015 I put Dimarzio pickups in it because I wanted a little more beef. Soon after that, I bought a second bass. That started me on a four year spree of trying different basses.

I sold the CIJ in 2017 and bought a USA Geddy Lee. That bass was incredible. It had a meatier neck than the CIJ, and the pickups were my favourite jazz pickups to date. But I couldn't get passed the missing black block inlays and neck binding. I tried to find one of the crimson red ones so I could swap the neck. That didn't happen, so I changed the pickup covers and pickguard to make it more my own.

View attachment 4094648

However I was in a bit of a bass buy and sell frenzy, and last year I sold the USA Geddy, thinking I didn't need a jazz anymore since I had found the L-2500. After a while, I started to settle down my mania and decided to narrow down my selection to four basses. One of them had to be a Jazz.

I decided that even though I am a total Rush nerd, I didn't have to have a Geddy Jazz, but I wanted a 70's Jazz. After looking at the prices of used 70's Jazz basses, and realizing I didn't want to take a chance on one via online sales, I decided on a MIJ '75 reissue.
View attachment 4094650
I knew before I bought it that I would put the tort pickguard on it. But after playing it, I was longing for the beef of the USA Geddy and decided to try Norstrand pickups in it. I did a before and after recording and found that the Norstrands were only slightly tighter in the bass (besides being hum cancelling) than the stock USA pickups.

The '75 is a wonderful instrument. The neck is thinner than the USA, but feels slightly thicker than the CIJ. Either way, it's a wonderful neck. The build quality is better than the regular USA Fenders I've tried. And the pickups are really nice (I only thought they were lacking because of my memories of the USA GL).

Having said all that, if I was starting again and was choosing any jazz bass, I would buy a USA Geddy Lee again. Hands down, it's the best feeling and sounding Jazz I've ever tried. However, I do not feel that I am wanting for anything with the MIJ '75 reissue. And I love the Lake Placid Blue with rosewood, blocks and binding.

Sometimes I watch the local used instrument ads to see if my old CIJ Geddy bass is back on the market, but I wouldn't buy it if it showed up. I might go try to track down that seller of the Crimson USA though. ;-)

I agree. The US Geddy is the best Jazz bass I've ever played too.

 

[chuck65]

I used to have a MIJ Geddy Lee J Bass. I kept it for about 2 weeks. It had the most little thin neck I've ever played. I swear, it seemed like it was about half an inch thick at fret #1.

Also, it could barely handle string tension and the truss rod nut was maxed out.

It was the worst feeling bass neck I have experienced.

Now, that was my mileage and YMMV or someone else mileage may vary.

Also to note, the pickups used on the MIJ Geddy are Fender Original Jazz Bass pickups which use AlNiCo #2 magnets instead of the #5 magnets. The #2 magnets are softer and milder than the AlNiCo 5s which is what is used on just about 100% of Fender J Basses.

Other than the neck and pickups...........it's a great bass! ()

I have to second this motion ... I've had a MIJ GL since 2003 . In 2005 I replaced the pups with Active EMG's and never looked back . I live in Florida and the neck is a constant fight . It won't hold from standard to a half step down without a tweek ( low action ) All my passives are now G&L and always will be .

 

[BK Bass]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder .

Especially when it comes to something with so much variety like basses. I find so many popular styles and looks of basses to be absolutely hideous while the one specific look I personally love the most seems to be rather widely disparaged! Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Zak TMD]

I've never played nor held a Geddy Lee bass of any place of national origin. With that being said, I do own 2 JB75-94US basses. I liked the first one which I acquired, so much that I pulled the trigger on another when a good deal presented itself. (Pic below)
View attachment 4094342 View attachment 4094343

THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL!

Thanks so much!

 

[Zak TMD]

I thought I would throw my two cents into this conversation. Hopefully it's relevant and helpful.

I owned a 2003 CIJ Geddy Lee for about 15 years. It was my second bass.

The '75 is a wonderful instrument. The neck is thinner than the USA, but feels slightly thicker than the CIJ. Either way, it's a wonderful neck. The build quality is better than the regular USA Fenders I've tried. And the pickups are really nice (I only thought they were lacking because of my memories of the USA GL).

And this right here is what I was looking for. A real side by side of the two. BTW that JB is BEAUTIFUL.

 

[Edgetone]

And this right here is what I was looking for. A real side by side of the two. BTW that JB is BEAUTIFUL.

Glad it was helpful.

 

[BK Bass]

OP and I are in a similar position I think. My next bass will be MIJ and I'm basically torn between the GL and the JB75. GL fits the aesthetic I'm going for a little better, but it sounds like the JB75 has a better/more stable neck? I think for me it's going to come down to price, as the JB75 seems to be a little pricier.

 

[Zak TMD]

OK... I'm not currently seeing a MIJ GL in any kind of condition that I want to buy vs cost... I do have my eye on a couple of '00s JB-75s, so that's looking the direction I'm gonna go as of now... but I assume there's a GL in my future too, at some point. Maybe I'll retire the Aerodyne.

So the 00's have the US Fender pups... to this day, I haven't been stoked about any fender factory pups, but it's possible I haven't come across good ones. I'm considering a swap with the Aguilar Vintage 70s... any thoughts?

Also I've scanned the million threads already, but do you all think a swap with a Omega/Kickass/Badass is a necessity (or at the least, a recommendation)? I don't have any experience with them yet.

 

[BK Bass]

OK... I'm not currently seeing a MIJ GL in any kind of condition that I want to buy vs cost... I do have my eye on a couple of '00s JB-75s, so that's looking the direction I'm gonna go as of now... but I assume there's a GL in my future too, at some point. Maybe I'll retire the Aerodyne.

So the 00's have the US Fender pups... to this day, I haven't been stoked about any fender factory pups, but it's possible I haven't come across good ones. I'm considering a swap with the Aguilar Vintage 70s... any thoughts?

Also I've scanned the million threads already, but do you all think a swap with a Omega/Kickass/Badass is a necessity (or at the least, a recommendation)? I don't have any experience with them yet.

I think the prevailing opinion is that high mass bridges are good for looking cool and adding weight to your bass. There are threads on here dedicated to people who upgraded to a BA type bridge and ended up putting the old one back on, if that's any indication. If I get a GL that bridge is coming off with the pickguard right away.

 

[Zak TMD]

OP and I are in a similar position I think. My next bass will be MIJ and I'm basically torn between the GL and the JB75. GL fits the aesthetic I'm going for a little better, but it sounds like the JB75 has a better/more stable neck? I think for me it's going to come down to price, as the JB75 seems to be a little pricier.

Re prices: So, in looking over the past months and reading. the JB75s have jumped a bit over the last few months, the excellent JBs look to float around $1200 - $1500 US. As of right now, I'm not seeing a really good MIJ GL available for under $1100, at least in terms of buckle rash / dings, etc.

One of these it looks like the guy just filled in with a sharpie or random black paint.

EDIT: To be clear, I don't very much care about little dings and stuff, when when a body is messed up, it really makes me wonder about everything else.

 

[Zak TMD]

I think the prevailing opinion is that high mass bridges are good for looking cool and adding weight to your bass. There are threads on here dedicated to people who upgraded to a BA type bridge and ended up putting the old one back on, if that's any indication. If I get a GL that bridge is coming off with the pickguard right away.

So if I don't wanna look [EXTRA] cool, don't worry about it? Is that kinda the consensus?

 

[BK Bass]

One of these it looks like the guy just filled in with a sharpie or random black paint.

Yep, I was looking at that one too and almost jumped at it. Looks like it sold though, which might be for the best; I'm looking for a beater bass and/or a refinish candidate and while that one was screaming to be rehabilitated, who knows how much the sharpie soaked into the wood which is a problem as I would like to do a semi-transparent finish.

As for the badass bridge, I don't have any direct experience with them but it sure seems to me that with jazz basses being heavy enough as it is, it would have to provide a really significant improvement in functionality to be worthwhile.