Been perusing these threads as I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger and getting a MIM GL. So, yeah, I'll probably have one next week.
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 bought mine just thinking it was a good price and just something to fool around with. It immediately became my go to bass
My story is a bit different. Geddy's been one of my favorite musicians since before I took up bass and has been my primary influence since then (next closest are Jon Paul Jones, Flea, and Pete McCullough of Streetlight Manifesto). After I'd been playing bass for a year I asked for a bass for my birthday or christmas and was given a general budget by my parents (this was quite some time ago lol). I had wanted a Geddy for some time by that point and ultimately my choice was between the GL and a Schecter Diamond Series Elite 5-stringer; ultimately I went with the Schecter. It was a great bass but the active electronics was a bit more involved than I originally anticipated and at the time I didnt have the experience to make it sound the way I wanted. Since then I've been through a few Squier/Fender basses chasing that GL dragon and now I just think its time to buy what I've wanted for almost a decade.
I've never been a huuuge Rush fan, but I definitely like some songs (some are my all time faves) and respect their musicianship. I was the vocalist/sole guitarist in my band for a long time. We added another guitarist and after a year or so, lost our bass player in 2013. After trying out several flakes, I took over the bass spot. I tried a few basses, but settled on a Gibson LP OSB since I've always been a Les Paul player, so a Les Paul Standard bass seemed like a natural. It's big, heavy and has a big, fat neck. It seemed to have the tone I was after. I started eyeing the GL mainly because of the maple board and black block inlays (I hate dot inlays!). I really didn't think I'd bench the Gibson, just wanted to try out the Fender, and I just have OCD guitar collecting issues. But, after plugging in the GL for the first time, my bandmates were like: "I thought Les Paul sounded good...it's not bad. But, Geddy Lee is freaking amazing". I kinda hate that I'm not going to be playing my LP because it's so unique, but I can't put Mr. Geddy Lee down. It's light and fast. Plus, coming from a guitarist background, the thin neck is just perfect. Maybe other bass players think that's a bad thing...but it's just so thin, fast and like butta
Last edited:
I would add the Mustang PJ and Dimension series to that list too.
I also heard that losing Japanese facilities after the terrible nuclear accident or earthquake forced them to move more expensive models like the Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller (before Sire) models to Mexico too.
You guys talked me into it...my MIM GL should be here on Friday! 
Found what seems to be a CIJ model with a B012XXX SN. Looking to replace one if not both of my Squire P Bass Specials. Smaller hands and fingers like the Jazz neck...The CIJ supposedly has a thinner Neck than the MIM but will it have a thinner neck than an '02 20th Anniversary edition or an '04 P Bass Special?
From what I've read about the CIJ GL, the owner states i was purchased new from GC in 2004 but the SN indicates it was made in 1998. Is that correct, made in 98 and sold new 6 years later?
It has the BadAss Bass II Bridge and CIJ on the headstock. Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Or cautious? Price is $600...?
From what I've read about the CIJ GL, the owner states i was purchased new from GC in 2004 but the SN indicates it was made in 1998. Is that correct, made in 98 and sold new 6 years later?
It has the BadAss Bass II Bridge and CIJ on the headstock. Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Or cautious? Price is $600...?
I've got a major milestone birthday coming up and wanted to treat myself to a relatively expensive bass. For weeks I've been torn between a Roger Waters Precision, Classic Series 50's Precision and a Geddy Lee Jazz. I've got a '77 Jazz which was my second bass back in the early '80s so I came round to thinking that it would be appropriate to get another Jazz. It looks like you've all managed to make my decision for me and it'll be the non-American Geddy Lee Jazz (that price tag for that bass exceeds "relatively" for me!)
I actually prefer MIM/CIJ over MIA. The dark inlays just look better and I can't tell a playability issue. I upgraded the electronics in both my MIM/CIJ GLs and added Seymour Duncans and you will not find a better Fender bass
In the end, I thought that already having a '77 Jazz, I'd go for a MIA Precision instead. For my next big birthday, I'll probably go for the Geddy
I'm going to try out a geddy lee jazz in a few weeks. What are some things I should look out for in terms of build, quality and stuff so I know whether its a good one or not?
Thanks
Thanks
Quick Question. On a 2006-2008 CIJ, what is the size of the Allen wrench for the saddle adjustments? 1/16th or .050 US? TIA
I'm going to try out a geddy lee jazz in a few weeks. What are some things I should look out for in terms of build, quality and stuff so I know whether its a good one or not?
Thanks
Thanks
Hey FunkBear... what’s the word in your GL MIM? I am ready to pull the trigger on this also. Just concerned about the MIM quality. How s it? Thanks!You guys talked me into it...my MIM GL should be here on Friday!
I tried this bass out. It felt really good.
The string spacing felt a bit closer together, which made playing a bit smoother and faster. The neck is thin, but not as thin as I imagined, maybe cos I’m used to my Cort artisan bass.
It had a nice growl to it. The glossy neck didn’t really make a difference to me, I mean, satin feels nice, but I can get used to glossy. Doesn’t affect me.
I played the geddy, and the American pro jazz maple neck, and I did notice straight away the American felt a bit more sturdy and well put together, but I still went back to the geddy. It felt just as good, but in a different way. It felt like a wear it in, play the strings off kind of workhorse, where as the American felt pretty and you have to play it right, it felt nicer, but not necessarily better.
In the end the geddy won me over with its growl. It has a certain growl unlike the other jazz basses.
And the style of it is so cool! I love every inch of it, is simply such a cool, classic and killer sounding bass.
If u find a good one ( I recommend playing first and just checkin things out to make sure it’s the one you want) Japanese or Mexican, I strongly recommend picking one up, it is a very unique bass without being unusable or unversatile. If Anything it’s even More usable and versatile!
I will be getting mine very soon... drool
The string spacing felt a bit closer together, which made playing a bit smoother and faster. The neck is thin, but not as thin as I imagined, maybe cos I’m used to my Cort artisan bass.
It had a nice growl to it. The glossy neck didn’t really make a difference to me, I mean, satin feels nice, but I can get used to glossy. Doesn’t affect me.
I played the geddy, and the American pro jazz maple neck, and I did notice straight away the American felt a bit more sturdy and well put together, but I still went back to the geddy. It felt just as good, but in a different way. It felt like a wear it in, play the strings off kind of workhorse, where as the American felt pretty and you have to play it right, it felt nicer, but not necessarily better.
In the end the geddy won me over with its growl. It has a certain growl unlike the other jazz basses.
And the style of it is so cool! I love every inch of it, is simply such a cool, classic and killer sounding bass.
If u find a good one ( I recommend playing first and just checkin things out to make sure it’s the one you want) Japanese or Mexican, I strongly recommend picking one up, it is a very unique bass without being unusable or unversatile. If Anything it’s even More usable and versatile!
I will be getting mine very soon... drool
