Geddy Lee Jazz - an update

[bass.slinger]

The bass was originally released as a limited edition run that ran for a year or two and was CIJ - it was then released as an artist series. As previously mentioned, CIJ versus MIJ is just which Japanese factory made the instruments.

I actually prefer the original pickups - they lose a little bass but have a massive amount of snarl that most replacement pickups do not replicate.

 

[80jazz]

Yup! The now MIM which were first CIJ have a very thin neck like the original neck on Geddy's original '72 Jazz. Geddy replaced the original neck on his '72 with a production CIJ neck from one of his Sigs for a while(During the Snakes and Arrows Tour) and then the Fender Custom Shop built him 2 new thicker necks which he loved. One is now on his '72 (Time Machine Tour-present day) and the other on another '70s Jazz which was one of the '72s backups.

Hope this helps,
Brent

I wonder if one of those went on the '74.

 

[kmon]

My MIM has a thinner neck…it has what I imagine a Geddy neck to be. It’s a Geddy sig…I want a toothpick.

The US model I had had a thicker neck. Great bass though.

I have Brantleys in the MIM. They’re killer. I greatly prefer the tone to that of the stock US model.

 

[REV]

Apparently pros like Geddy are vastly less concerned about neck profile than some of the obsessives on talk bass



Which one tho?

IMHO the MIJ and the MIA are both really good but as others have said they are each good in their own way. The MIA is a great solid Jazz Bass. To me, better than a regular MIA Jazz. The MIJ Geddy's are growlier, the neck is a little thinner and the hardware is maybe not quite as good. The MIM Geddys are not quite as consistent from bass to bass as the MIA or MIJ. Over all the MIJ has a little more personality but the MIA is more solid and (to me) a better neck profile.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

To add to this; from what I’ve read over the years, the MIJ’s had an even skinnier neck. I don’t have any measurements, nor have I sampled an MIM model, but one time I got to try an MIJ Geddy. That neck was razor-thin, so much so I knew it wouldn’t work comfortably in my handsFor perspective, I can handle a chunky MIM Classic Jazz neck without an issue.

I tried an MIJ. I like a shallow neck, but I was worried I might sneeze and snap the neck off.

 

[staurosjohn]

I don’t have any experience with the two you’ve mentioned - but, if OP or anyone else is interested, here is the profile of a (2005) MIJ GL neck. I have had it on a P body since 2012… was my #1 for a number of years… still gets played a lot

 

[BrentSimons]

I wonder if one of those went on the '74.

Ill take a peek at The Big Book of Bass. I can't remember which Jazz it wss. I could have sworn it was another 72.

 

[murphy]

The original Geddy with the thin neck was not the best Jazz Fender made. Necks were a bit thin, and as mentioned above, could be prone to forward bow, where you couldn't loosen the truss rod enuff to get proper relief. Sound was OK, but the Brantley pickups, and others, greatly improved low end response.

The Mexican basses fixed the neck issue, but not the tonal issue. To me they sounded great as is. But had a very traditional Jazz sound. Slightly thin. And, playing the bass in modern gear, a bit of low end needs to be added to really get close to Geddy's sound. Nuttin wrong with that, either. He adds low end, too. But a lotta guys who just wanna run their amps flat would be disappointed.

The best Jazz Fender has made, and the best Geddy "clone" they made with the correct aesthetic was the 2010 to 2015, or so, American Deluxe Jazz. The black with Maple neck, blocks and binding, very much resembles Geddy's main. But, it has a better neck (asymmetrical, graphite reinforced, 5 bolt attachment to body with contour), better electronics (active/passive with a VTC, better pickups (third generation noiseless, tho there are two different versions, the earlier being the more aggressive) and a more legit overall sound. Its used price sits in the middle of the American and Mexican Geddy Signature. I own a 5 string version from 2010, and with steel strings run passive it simply nails Geddy's tone. Plus, no Geddy signature on the bass.

I wanted a Geddy, but I played a few different ones and went with the Deluxe. Just too many advantages.

You forgot to mention the different body shape that the Deluxe series...to Ultra, has.
That is the deal breaker for me

 

[mmbongo]

I still wish Geddy played that ‘59 white Precision on more than one song during the R40 tour.

Sigh

Well if you ask me he shouldn't play anything but his Wal.

 

[MovingPitchers]

Ill take a peek at The Big Book of Bass. I can't remember which Jazz it wss. I could have sworn it was another 72.

The only other 72 IIRC he has is a white one with a tort guard. Might be on that bass. He does have a black 74

 

[BrentSimons]

The only other 72 IIRC he has is a white one with a tort guard. Might be on that bass. He does have a black 74

I believe that one still has it's original neck. I think I remember it having the black blocks. I didn't have a chance to look this morning.
Brent

 

[BrentSimons]

The only other 72 IIRC he has is a white one with a tort guard. Might be on that bass. He does have a black 74

Yup! It's the black '74 with the tort pickguard.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

I got into RUSH when he was mainly playing the black Ric & mentality associate him with that bass. Ultimately he’s still Ged no matter what he’s playing.

 

[80jazz]

Ill take a peek at The Big Book of Bass. I can't remember which Jazz it wss. I could have sworn it was another 72.

I believe one of them hit the sunburst '72 he started using on tour in 2012.

I ask because the 74 had a CS neck, but that does not mean it has to be one of those 2.

 

[80jazz]

Yup! It's the black '74 with the tort pickguard.
View attachment 4931254

It might be the price I pay for being such a nerd.

 

[David McIntire]

You forgot to mention the different body shape that the Deluxe series...to Ultra, has.
That is the deal breaker for me

Different body shape? I was unaware. But I haven't studied the newer Fender Jazz specs. I have played an Ultra, and an Elite. But didn't notice anything.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Yes it is. Basses very often referred to in this way, not just in this thread but all over the forum. Years ago it was MIJ, and that's how I referred to the numerous MIJ instruments I owned, but over time it's become CIJ, but not CIM. I have theories as to why though...

Just to clarify , your question was "Why is it Made in Mexico, yet Crafted in Japan?"

My answer is that the ones made in Mexico are not Crafted in Japan, they are made in Mexico.

Fender had a couple of affordable signature models that were MIJ/CIJ, namely the Marcus Miller Jazz and the Geddy Lee Jazz. They were MIJ/CIJ when introduced and remained that way for several years until production of these models was eventually moved to Mexico to keep the MAP costs of these models affordable. If you get one that is MIM, it reads Made in Mexico on the headstock. The CIJ/MIJ markings will not appear on the bass.

Hope that clarifies things.

 

[BrentSimons]

It might be the price I pay for being such a nerd.

Me too!

 

[Malak the Mad]

Why is it Made in Mexico, yet Crafted in Japan?

At first, Fender-Japan models built at the FujiGen Gakki factory were labeled "Made In Japan". In/around 1996, manufacturing was switched to the Dyna Gakki and Tokai Gakki factories. So musicians would know where their instruments were made, FMIC stipulated that they change the designation to "Crafted In Japan", which remained until the FMIC/Kanda-Shokai joint venture was dissolved in 2015. Once Fender took over complete control of the Japanese market, they reverted back to "Made In Japan".

• Everything You Need To Know About Fender Japan | YABAI - The Modern, Vibrant Face of Japan

So, to be all "technical an' stuff", Japanese Geddy-sigs should all be "CIJ", not "MIJ". But even if someone makes that teensy boo-boo, I think it's fair to say we all understand the context, so no big, no harm, no foul?

 

[Snert]

Thanks Malak for a detailed answer.