Geddy Lee or American Standard Jazz?

[bchamorro]

How are they different in tone?

Sometimes my MIM Deluxe active Jazz bass was lacking low end punch.

I ended up selling it, but now I want a new Jazz bass.

Which one would you recommend? GL or American standard?
BTW, I really like Geddy Lee's tone on Far Cry

 

[bchamorro]

by the way, I prefer thin and fast necks, but I can adapt to a fat one too.

 

[fenderphil]

american w/ a maple neck.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

When I went to GC I was planning on getting a MIA Jazz but after trying a couple and then the Geddy, I opted for the Geddy. It wasn't the price, it was the sound and feel. That's just me though. This was also before the new model Fenders came out. I didn't like the S-1 switches on the previous J or P basses.
Without playing a new one I have to admit I would like to have a MIA jazz like this one. I like the color and the maple neck...

all I would do is change the pickguard.

 

[RandomHandle]

i cant give a comparison to a modern american standard.

I can tell you that when i bought my geddy there was 2 or 3 on the shelf. Didnt really feel much diff but chose the one i thought best. After playing it for a few minutes i tried out a couple of the 75 re-issues, which was only about thousand dollars more.

i could not find one good reason for the price difference in terms of the quality of the feel or sound.

I own a 73 jazz maple board black block and was specifically looking for a "similar" instrument mainly so i could stop having heart palpitations between sets

my geddy lee has "that" fender tone.
my mexican jazz does NOT.

suggest you go hang out at a couple stores for a few hours

 

[fenderphil]

all I would do is change the pickguard.

yep. thats a hoss, right there.

 

[purfektstranger]

That's a tough one. I own and really like my GL but I have tried the new 2008 Fender Jazz and it's a killer. Given the choice between the two now, I think I would spend the extra bucks and get the American Standard with a maple neck.

 

[MtManiac]

I really like the Geddy, but it isn't for everyone. Given a choice between the two, I'd likely take the MIA though. The new ones are very good. Depends on the price difference and how much room I had on my credit card though. Geddy's here are still about $900, and the MIA is $1100 for $200 difference, you get a case plus resale value, plus it's also very good. They're a steal at that price, regardless of what you compare it to. But I understand Geddy's in other markets are much less expensive than an MIA, in which case they're a rare steal.

 

[Ric5]

The American made Fender basses are the best of all of the Fender basses made ...

 

[mental_ward]

Wow, this was my exact delema a couple weeks ago. I finally went with the American Standard Jazz in black with maple board.

This 2008 MIA jazz bass plays just as good as the vintage 4001 Rick I used to have.

 

[JEDI BASS]

The Geddy's are good, but the MIA's will retain more value over time. I'd get a used Geddy on the 'bay if $$ is an issue. Otherwise, grab a MIA. Also, I've heard some Geddy owners say the necks are more temp sensitive due to their skinny profile, and need more truss tweaking. If true, not cool if you gig in wild climate changes.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

Now that I've tried a 2008 Jazz I would get it over the Geddy. As I stated earlier I was set on buying an MIA at the time but the Geddy had the better sound and feel to me. The extra $200-300 had nothing to do with what I got. I'm keeping my Geddy now that I have it. Plus I'm not too concerned on the resale value. I'm all ready 50, I'm not too concerned about how much the MIA will be worth in 20 years...although it will probably be worth more than me.

 

[Guest043]

the geddy is a very nice bass...but id go with an american standard.

 

[philthygeezer]

I don't like having to loosen the strings and unbolt the neck to adjust the truss rod.

 

[mello_bedwetter]

I don't like having to loosen the strings and unbolt the neck to adjust the truss rod.

Now that part does suck.

 

[Nedmundo]

Also, I've heard some Geddy owners say the necks are more temp sensitive due to their skinny profile, and need more truss tweaking. If true, not cool if you gig in wild climate changes.

I'm not aware of any problems with the Geddys in this respect, but the American Standards have graphite rods in the neck and are very stable. I have a few, and they rarely budge. In fact, I'm almost never charged for a full setup for this reason.

Also, keep in mind the Geddy has 70's pickup placement, which moves the bridge pickup about a half inch closer to the bridge. This alters the tone somewhat. The American Standards have 60's placement, so the bridge pickup has a little less "twang."

I really dig the red/maple combo posted above. My 2003 Am. Series four string is Chrome Red/maple, and my 2008 Am. Standard five is Candy Cola/maple, which is awesome.

I've been very impressed with some Geddy Lee samples I've tried, but overall I think the American Standards are better and worth the extra money.

 

[john_g]

The Geddy's are good, but the MIA's will retain more value over time. I'd get a used Geddy on the 'bay if $$ is an issue. Otherwise, grab a MIA. Also, I've heard some Geddy owners say the necks are more temp sensitive due to their skinny profile, and need more truss tweaking. If true, not cool if you gig in wild climate changes.

I have a Geddy and it is awesome, however, my neck is sensitive to climate changes. Living in Pennsylvania, we get all four seasons to their fullest, so I have had to adjust my truss rod a few times. However, its not a big deal really. Just loosen the strings, then the bolts on the back of the neck (not all the way out) and turn the truss rod. No biggie but they should really look at moving the access to the top though. Yours may never need adjusting. Depends from bass to bass.

For the neck feel and playability though, I will put up with it. Fantastic bass and I couldnt imagine that that the MIA is that much better for the money. Ive tried lots of Jazz bass's and none felt like home like the Geddy. I would recommend getting it used on ebay like I did to save some money though.

 

[Pacman]

Two reasons to pick a Geddy over an Am Std (or vice versa): The necks are totally different, so they feel different. Pick the one that suits you best.

(as mentioned before) The pickups are in different places, resulting in (IMO) vastly different tones. Pick the one that has the best sound to you.

I have a Geddy, and I have an American FMT 5 string. They're both awesome, and completely different.

 

[McSpunckle]

I like the Geddy better. That's one of the best basses on the market right now.

 

[pyrohr]

I own both bases and here's my take, The MIA bass is a plug and play bass! It needs nothing out the box and needs little tweaking as the weather changes. It also comes with case and case goodies (strap, cord, wrenches). Now the Geddy is a great bass ( I love mine) but does need a little more adjustment in the neck area as weather fluctuates. The Geddy's pup are also a tad low in volume (output). I also removed the BadassII to give my Geddy back the bottom end it loses with the BadassII while giving it a more of a 70's jazz bass sound. The Geddy's tuners are cheezy (new tuners on the new models). The Geddy comes w/out case and goodies if that matters. Both great basses! My pic would be the MIA bass.