Geddy Lee Jazz Bass questions.

[arntseaj]

Hey, everyone,

I'm getting a Geddy Lee Jazz pretty soon (my dream bass). However, I play in drop tunings (as low as Drop A#). My first question is:

1. After I file the nut to fit the heavier strings, can I use a standard Fender Jazz nut as a replacement if I ever want to set it back up to standard tuning? Does it matter if it is pre-slotted or should I find a blank?

2.) How does the truss rod in the Geddy work exactly? I know you have to loosen the screws of the neck to get at it, but is it like a standard allen-key slot? And which way do I turn it to tighten or loosen it?

Thanks!

 

[john_g]

I dont know about the nut, but my Geddys rod was at the base of the neck and I used a flat head screw driver to do it, no allen key. And its righty tighty lefty loosey. Not sure why they dont put it at the top like others or at least route out a spot to get at it better.

 

[bassclef112]

Hey, everyone,

I'm getting a Geddy Lee Jazz pretty soon (my dream bass). However, I play in drop tunings (as low as Drop A#). My first question is:

1. After I file the nut to fit the heavier strings, can I use a standard Fender Jazz nut as a replacement if I ever want to set it back up to standard tuning? Does it matter if it is pre-slotted or should I find a blank?

2.) How does the truss rod in the Geddy work exactly? I know you have to loosen the screws of the neck to get at it, but is it like a standard allen-key slot? And which way do I turn it to tighten or loosen it?

Thanks!

You can use any standard Jazz Bass nut and refile for the gauges you want. There's no special magic about the bass - it's just a copy of a standard 1972 Fender Jazz that GL bought in a pawnshop.

Loosen the strings, loosen the top screws on the neckplate and then the bottom ones just enough to tilt the neck up - push down on the headstock gently. You do not have to remove the neck. Start with 1/4 turns, almost tighten everything back up (see below), tune up and see where you are.

Make sure the neck is aligned side to side - sometimes it rocks a little in the pocket. Line up the strings with the pickups then tighten it down all the way.

Facing the bottom of the heel & looking at the screw, clockwise tightens, counter-clockwise loosens.

If they moved this to the top of the neck or did anything else it wouldn't be an "exact copy" of GL's '72. So you do it the old fashioned way. Unless you need a lot of adjustment it doesn't take more than once or twice to get where you want to be.

 

[arntseaj]

Thanks a lot