Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Geddy Lee Jazz - MIM vs. MIJ
- Thread starter Corevalay
- Start date
I guess I just totally lucked out because I just put a used MIJ GL with a hardcase on layaway for $475.
Over the years I've owned 3 MIM j's. My opinion is that with really good attention to setup they're great basses. I sold 2 due to financial problems. One was a 5'ER that I've never missed because I felt much of the feel was gone over the 4 string neck. However, it had a really good sounding b string. The other was a fretless 4 in metallic sea foam green that I wish I still had it was beautiful and it played awesome. Now I have a black MIM fretless 4 that's especially beautiful as it has a silver pearloid pick guard and the fingerboard has about 10 carefully applied light coats of tru oil so that the rosewood is dark enough that it looks like ebony from a distance.
I'm psyched about the GL J. I've been playing fretless exclusively for years now and although I think I'll always prefer fretless lately I've been wanting frets.
Over the years I've owned 3 MIM j's. My opinion is that with really good attention to setup they're great basses. I sold 2 due to financial problems. One was a 5'ER that I've never missed because I felt much of the feel was gone over the 4 string neck. However, it had a really good sounding b string. The other was a fretless 4 in metallic sea foam green that I wish I still had it was beautiful and it played awesome. Now I have a black MIM fretless 4 that's especially beautiful as it has a silver pearloid pick guard and the fingerboard has about 10 carefully applied light coats of tru oil so that the rosewood is dark enough that it looks like ebony from a distance.
I'm psyched about the GL J. I've been playing fretless exclusively for years now and although I think I'll always prefer fretless lately I've been wanting frets.
First of all, putting flats on a Geddy? Its like putting Mud&snow tires on a Ferrari Enzo.
The neck on the Geddy is very stable, or should I say surprisingly stable for being that thin. It is almost as stable as my 4003. My step son for instance have this nice MIA Stingray 34. But his Ray require lots of truss rod adjustments due to keep relief under control. The neck on the Ray is quite thick, but I will guess the truss rod on the Geddy is better.
The tuners on the Geddy seem totally normal to me, nothing cheap about them. But I do not know if Fender used different tuners on the Geddy over the years. Mine is from 2008.
Otherwise, most signature basses are "nothing special" as most of them are quite regular with only some additional features. On the Geddy it is the thinner then normal Jazz neck with maple fretboard and MIA vintage pups where the bridge pup is closer to the bridge.
True. And the big deal is that it is a Geddy Sig. For me it do matter as I'm a big Geddy fan.
I hope Fender buries the "Made in Mexico" on the back of the headstock and in small, small type.
Seriously?
I've got one of the Seafoam green FSR Precision Special Deluxe basses that were out earlier this year and it is absolutely fantastic and if what I've read on here is to be believed, they used the same neck as they are on the MIM Geddy.
I couldn't care less where it was made as long as it sounds good, plays good and looks good.
I'm actually liking the improvements they've made on the MIM Marcus Miller bass like the one piece scratchplate and separate battery compartments on the rear
I understand what you are saying about pickup placement on Jazz Basses and the difference been Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass pickups and the Fender 60s Jazz Bass pickups.
Now people, correct me if I am wrong.
Isn't the Geddy Lee Jazz Bass copied after an early 70s Jazz Bass? Something like 1973?
Up until around about that year, didn't Fender have the bridge pickup placed where it has always been in the earlier years.
Then sometime after 1973, the Jazz Bass bridge pickup was moved about an inch or less closer to the bridge?
But, I am almost sure that the Geddy Lee bridge pickup is at the original location like on the vintage models.
Correct me if I am wrong, please.
As for the pickups in the Geddy Lee, they are the Fender 60s Jazz Bass and not the Fender Custom Shop pickups. This I know for sure. They are the same pickups used in the AVRI models (which are not the CS pickups)
Geddy's personal real deal Jazz Bass was nothing more than a stock 1973 model with a BadAss bridge. What's so special about that?
(as for the pickups in Geddy's personal and original Jazz Bass, they would be 70s Jazz Bass pickups and would not be like either the AVRI pickups or the CS pickups)
Your illustration about flats on a Fender GL bass is like putting snow tires on a Farrari is excellent! I respect good writing and illustrations.
Ha ha ha..........I have to agree with you! ha ha ha
On the other hand, the bass line to LOW RIDER by the band War is an example of flats on a 70s J Bass and it sounds pretty cool! Don't you agree?
Thanks for your intelligent comment.
According to Rush.com Geddy's main bass is a 72. He also has a Sunburst 72, and another Black 74.
According to Fender's own Jazz Bass History at Fender.com "70's" pickup spacing started in 1972. So that would be period correct with the Geddy Lee Sig bass. Also the fact it has a BadassII and the neck shaved down to the same specs he himself did its spot on to his 72. On to the pickups.
I'm not sure how you know for sure that they are Fender 60's. They have never been Fender 60's. They are Fender "Vintage Jazz Bass Pickups". Verifiable at Fender.com
CS60's use formvar magnet wire, this is what was used in the 60's era JB's and the same wire that any aftermarket company uses when making a 60's style pickup.
"Vintage Jazz Bass Pickups" use enamel wire, which is period correct and part CBS's cost savings after buying the company. This is also the exact same wire aftermarket companies use when making their 70's style pick ups. So those pickups would be the correct styled ones to have in the bass.
Another thing I've heard people bash is the lack of the 3 bolt neck plate not being correct. That was introduced in 1974, so Geddy's main 72 would still have the 4 bolt neck.
Love it or hate it The Geddy Lee Signature Jazz bass, is a very accurate recreation of main 72 jazz.
I picked up a 2006 CIJ GL in a Trade and put a set of Alleva Coppolo Single coils in it and know that Jimmys PUPs are not super hot but you have to kick up the Pre gain on your amp.Mine is a great playing bass and is set up with very low action and plays effortly.I do notice it being a little bright sounding than other Jazzes I own and quit possibly be because of the Badass on it and may at some time replace the pots but they look just like CTS pots and it does have a factory Switchcraft Jack in it which I was surprised to see!As far as MIM basses I know the Road Worns are really nice from what I have seen and played.
Seriously?
I've got one of the Seafoam green FSR Precision Special Deluxe basses that were out earlier this year and it is absolutely fantastic and if what I've read on here is to be believed, they used the same neck as they are on the MIM Geddy.
I couldn't care less where it was made as long as it sounds good, plays good and looks good.
I'm actually liking the improvements they've made on the MIM Marcus Miller bass like the one piece scratchplate and separate battery compartments on the rear
Wow! I love those black fret blocks and the neck binding with the Sea Foam. Just simply gorgeous!!!
Actually, I had mine loaded with Rotos '77 (45/65/85/105) and (very) low action for more than a year with no relief problems.
+1.
Actually, I had mine loaded with Rotos '77 (45/65/85/105) and (very) low action for more than a year with no relief problems.
+1.
Roto Sound Swing Bass round wounds are low tension strings.
I love the Geddy Lee Bass! I love it's looks! I can live with the thin neck but perfer the typical Jazz Bass neck profile.
Thank-you for correcting me and setting it straight about the bridge pickup placement.
Also, I've incorrectly been calling the pickups that are used on the Geddy J Bass, Fender 60s Jazz Bass pickups. I was totally wrong and you are right. They are called, Fender Original Jazz Bass Pickup Set. But once again, the Fender Custom Shop Jazz Bass Pickups are a totally different pickup as you stated.
I got the name mixed up with Fender's 60s P Bass pickup.
The pickups used on the GL are the same ones used on the AVRI basses. The magnet poles kind of stick up past the plastic cover a little bit and the edges of the poles are beveled.
I'm not trying to push a point but in reality, Geddy's original 1972 would have had flush magnet poles and not beveled. Right?
Fender also makes 70s Jazz Bass Pickups. Seems like they would be the correct ones to use.
Thank-you for the info about pickups, 3 bolt necks and position of the bridge pickup being changed in 1972.
It's a great bass! A "looker"! Sounds great too! And, Geddy's Jazz Bass has fooled many of us in thinking that some of those RUSH recordings were not a Ric but actually a Fender Jazz Bass.
Wether MIJ or MIM. A wonderful bass!
Luv you guys!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] are flatwounds. And not low tension flatwounds.
Improvements? No. A million times no. Why would such a change be an improvement?
Question. Delberthot posted a picture of his seafoam green PJ which he claimed to have the same necks the GL Jazz. It looks like to me though that the truss rod adjustment is in the headstock, where as the MIJ GL's were in the heel (could be wrong Delberthot. I just didn't see it in the heel). At first this made me question whether his neck was the same as the GL Jazz, but then maybe thought that the truss rod position was changed when production was moved to Mexico.
So MIM GL owners is your truss rod adjustment still in the heel or is it in the headstock?
So MIM GL owners is your truss rod adjustment still in the heel or is it in the headstock?
Phantasm
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.
If Fender moved the truss rod adjustment it will not be a authentic copy of his original!
