Fender pro II or USA Geddy Lee jazz?

[dustinymichaels]

I like the Geddy Lee. It's very aggressive and the neck is huge. I don't know if it is worth the $ vs. any other 70s reissue, but I got mine used for a steal. I use it more for "rockin'" than jazz/r&b/hip hop.

 

[Killing Floor]

OK, I'll bite. What is wrong?

I'm guessing the D is intonated flat.

 

[BrotherMister]

I have no idea about the Geddy Lee's but I've been playing a roasted pine AM II as my main working bass for nearly 2 years and it's a solid workhorse.

 

[bassnyc1]

I tried an American Geddy jazz and the neck was kind of beefy. I wonder why it wasn't super slim like the Japanese Geddy necks? I don't think it was Geddy himself who initiated that change.

 

[MtManiac]

The USA Geddy has a much thicker neck front to back than the American Pro II. Not bad or good just not the same.

I haven't ever played a US Geddy or an MIM Geddy, but years ago I did try out a CIJ Geddy and it blew me away how *slim* it was front to back. Did they not bring that feature over to the MIA's?

I totally believe you, I'm just surprised to hear that.

The Pro II Jazzes I've picked up in stores felt more or less the same as an American Standard Jazz neck has always felt to me.

 

[2thAche]

I wouldn't want to not have a Geddy. Great sounding bass on gig or recording. Well made and easy to set up

 

[Yonni]

You've answered your question.

I have a US Geddy in the stable - the build quality is very good. (and mine now sports a '70s style bridge).
It's also My only Jazz with either 70s spacing or a maple fingerboard.
I've always played 60s spacing Jazz basses, and that's my preference.
Stick to what you know - based on what you've said above.
Of course, if you have a chance to try a Geddy, I'd do so, but the neck will feel different and it will sound different form the Pro II.

That's the thing - we only have one guitar shop of note in Edinburgh. Glasgow has more choice but not a lot. I'd really need a trip to London to have much choice. I don't think Ive ever seen a USA Geddy in a store.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

OK, I'll bite. What is wrong?

Uneven string spacing.

That is a current American Geddy. The current MIM is the same.
I fixed mine. Just advising you that some people might think it needs fixing.

 

[kmon]

I owned a US Geddy. It was really, really nice and I wasn't bothered by the neck even with my general preference for thinner necks.

I sold it. It was beautiful, played great...but...

I'm looking for something specific in a Geddy: I want specs very close to his iconic 72 jazz bass. It inspires me. This was lacking in the US model, even though it was objectively somewhat "nicer".

(I've kept my MIJ Geddy, it scratches that itch)

This is not to put you off the US Geddy, just be aware that it's a different beast from the original MIJ models.

 

[gwangi]

Speaking of the US Geddy Lee Jazz Bass what's the deal with the quality control of misalignment of the pickups & strings:

Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz Bass - Black

 

[gwangi]

These American Professional ii Jazz Basses look more aligned:

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass - Roasted Pine with Maple Fingerboard

 

[LowendG]

I'm one of those who feels the pickup spacing makes a significant difference - personally I love the 70's spacing (so I have two J's like that, one being an older CIJ Geddy).
If you've only ever played 60's spacing it would certainly be worthwhile IMO to seek out a 70's style Jazz to test drive.

 

[lamarjones]

I have a soft spot for the 2011-2015 or so Am Dlx. Mines a 2012, as good as any fender I've played

 

[Pet Sounds]

I recommend the American Professional II. I have one and like it a lot. A few months ago, I bought and returned a USA Geddy. It's a very well-made bass, but I have found every USA Geddy I've played to be more trebly than I prefer.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Obviously the Geddys have 70s (wider) pickup spacing so it's going to sound a bit different. I have a MIM Geddy and I really dig it. No it's not quite as good as my USA Laklands, but a great bass for the money. Absolutely NO PROBLEMS with string/pickups/bridge alignment.

 

[BassyBill]

See anything wrong?
This is the current Fender Geddy sig bridge on the American or MIM Geddy.
View attachment 5361252
Not bad enough to bother anyone else?

There's nothing wrong with that from my point of view. Nothing that would make a difference to how the bass plays, anyway.

 

[BassyBill]

Obviously the Geddys have 70s (wider) pickup spacing so it's going to sound a bit different. I have a MIM Geddy and I really dig it. No it's not quite as good as my USA Laklands, but a great bass for the money. Absolutely NO PROBLEMS with string/pickups/bridge alignment.

I have both the MIM and the MIA versions of the GLJ and there's nothing very much different between the two, as delivered. I also had a Japanese model a few years ago. All three of them have been really nice "70s style" Jazz basses.

 

[Z-Bass]

Both have a reputation for being high quality, although like others have said, there can be some real questionable examples out in the wild. I've heard that the USA Geddy is a nice bridge between production and custom shop quality but I can't say for sure personally. I think this will come down to the necks. Both are really nice but it's either a slim C on the ProII or a thick C on the Geddy. I know I didn't like the slim C on the ProII but I like a little more thickness front to back. That being said, who knows, I may have come to appreciate it after playing it for a while. As far as the pickups, I'm sure the 70s spacing on the Geddy imparts some influence on the tone but I think it has more to do with how they are wound compared to the ProII pickups. Tough call.

 

[sethlow3]

Does it have to be a Fender? Lots of other really nice Jazz bass options out there, perhaps with better overall quality than the average Fender. I haven't been impressed with the handful of American Pro II and Am. Vintage II Fenders I've come across at my local music store. If I'm spending that much I want better.

This.
If you can find them in the UK, Sandberg and G&L are way better bang for the buck and generally way more affordable used than buying a new fangled Fender.

 

[Yonni]

This.
If you can find them in the UK, Sandberg and G&L are way better bang for the buck and generally way more affordable used than buying a new fangled Fender.

As I mentioned, Im not looking for a Sandberg or G&L or any other variation. I just want to own an American Fender. If I could afford it, Id go custom shop but I can't justify the expense when I should be saving for my kids college funds.