Geddy Lee Jazz - an update

[MovingPitchers]

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

The original neck is on display at the RRHOF I think?

 

[murphy]

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.

The lower horn is smaller and cut deeper to access the upper frets more easily

 

[BrentSimons]

The original neck is on display at the RRHOF I think?

Yes indeed! On one of his stage basses I believe.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

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?

See, my Tokais are really Fenders . One does have a skinny neck. Still not MIJ Geddy thin, though.

 

[David McIntire]

The lower horn is smaller and cut deeper to access the upper frets more easily

Ah... I was thinkin you were thinkin of the older, 96 to 2009 Deluxes with downsized bodies and 22 frets. But now that you mention, my Deluxe does have 21 frets, vs the 20 on a Geddy. I still see that as advantage, tho it is not an exact copy. I shoulda thot of that. Thank you.

 

[Bass-Babe]

As stated here

the MIJ/CIJ necks are the thinnest front to back I have one and love it...

the MIM necks are a bit thicker...front to back...than the MIJ/CIJ necks I also have one of these and like it but prefer the MIJ/CIJ neck overall

The USA neck is the thickest front to back of the three...I tried one and decided i didn't like it as much as the other two...

somewhere in all the many many threads on this subject somebody actually posted the measurements and the differences in the three models...I don't currently feel like searching for it...I might break out my digital caliper later and measure...

Are MiJ and CIJ downsized in neck profile maybe to suit smaller hands of those populations?

 

[bass.slinger]

The CIJ/MIJ markings will not appear on the bass.

Hope that clarifies things.

Incorrect - the three CIJ / MIJ basses I have owned (one CIJ and two MIJ) had the marking near the neck heal. My Geddy is shown below.

 

[rogerbmiller]

Incorrect - the three CIJ / MIJ basses I have owned (one CIJ and two MIJ) had the marking near the neck heal. My Geddy is shown below.

View attachment 4932319

You are correct. Hadn't played on in a while and I was incorrect. My point however was that a bass made in Mexico wouldn't say "crafted in Japan."

But as I re-read the poster's question, I think he meant to ask "Why do basses made in Mexico say 'Made in Mexico' whereas basses made in Japan say 'Crafted in Japan.'" Someone already explained this.

That is not how the question was worded however and it was hella confusing.

 

[sc_precision]

Does anyone know what pickups were used in the CIJ Geddys? I read they were perhaps the custom shop ones that Fender used in their American Standard Jazz basses?

 

[John Swartz]

That whole thing was weird for me. It was clearly Ged having just bought a bunch of basses and wanting to gig them. Definitely a notion we can understand but there was no notable link between the basses and the songs he used them on.

Me, I think it would have been cooler had he used period correct basses on the tunes, especially since they played them in reverse chronological order.

Well, Rush's first album came out in 1974, which post-dates many of the basses he played on that last tour...

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Does anyone know what pickups were used in the CIJ Geddys? I read they were perhaps the custom shop ones that Fender used in their American Standard Jazz basses?

Yes, they used US Fender Jazz Bass single coils, the same pickups (at that time) that came stock on the ‘62 Jazz Bass (AVRI) and some custom shop basses. AKA Fender Original Jazz Bass pickups. I put a set of these in my MIM sunburst Geddy, love the sound.