Getting a Four String Fender Jazz: Which One?

[Dr. Cheese]

My local Fender dealer gave me some great prices for four string Jazzes provided no trades are involved. He offered $800 for a MIM Geddy Lee Jazz, $1,100 for 1961 Jazz Flea Sig, and $1,400 for a US Geddy Lee. I have experience with the MIM Geddy and 1961 Flea. I have never seen or played a USA Geddy Lee, and I would like more feedback. I think I may have asked him about a Fender Original Seventies Jazz, but I suspect it will be more than I want to pay.

Before anyone says it, this is pretty much GAS in action. I have wanted a nice Fender Jazz four for a while just to have one. That said, I enjoy not having a B string around sometimes.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I forgot to mention that I chose these basses because I want either a Seventies style Jazz or the original stack knob style Jazz.

 

[Bassist30]

I would go with the original 70's jazz bass. Or a used American Vintage. They will be the closest you will get for what you want.

 

[forrestlaw]

Have you played them? Which one do you like best?

 

[PJ Muzikmansky]

Doc, no contest - I'd get the U.S. Geddy Lee. IMO the best 70's style non- custom-shop jazz that Fender makes, and for $1400...that is a STEAL. Those basses run $3000 plus {$2250 USD give or take} here in OZ. Our tastes in music run very similar and if I had the spare coin and needed another Jazz, that's certainly what I'd get.

 

[MMiller28]

So much for that “no GAS because my daughter needs a sax” thread you made recently

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Have you been practicing???
I know I said it before, but study kills GAS!

Im just teasing.

Seriously, are you sure that you don't want a Caprice? Remember you proclaimed it to be the the baddest 4 string you've ever played (IIRC).

 

[Dr. Cheese]

So much for that “no GAS because my daughter needs a sax” thread you made recently

Daughter forgot about the sax and started begging for an iPhone 8+ and AirPods for Christmas which set me back nearly $1k. She is going to stay on her same alto after that.

 

[Snakeman1066]

Doc,

I built this one out of surplus Fender parts and it's the best damn sounding and playing jazz I have ever encountered...and I'm not a jazz guy at all...total in I have less than $500.00 invested....and it is the first jazz I have ever bonded with in over 35 years of trying...and I love the 70's aesthetic!

The Body is from a MIM Fender FSR Jazz...the neck is from a MIM fender Precision Bass Special, the pups are the new Fender Pure Vintage 74's, and I added an Omega High mass bridge...which is a Zinc Alloy copy of the old Bad-Ass bridge...this thing kills

That said I have a CIJ Geddy neck on one of my "P" basses and I love that neck...

My advice is to play every Jazz you can get your hands one and pick the one that speaks to you...

barring that I say go Geddy....

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Have you played them? Which one do you like best?

I have played the Flea Jazz which has incredible tone and a sweet neck.


I have played several MIM Geddy Lee’s and I like them quite a lot.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Doc,

I built this one out of surplus Fender parts and it's the best damn sounding and playing jazz I have ever encountered...and I'm not a jazz guy at all...total in I have less than $500.00 invested....and it is the first jazz I have ever bonded with in over 35 years of trying...and I love the 70's aesthetic!

The Body is from a MIM Fender FSR Jazz...the neck is from a MIM fender Precision Bass Special, the pups are the new Fender Pure Vintage 74's, and I added an Omega High mass bridge...which is a Zinc Alloy copy of the old Bad-Ass bridge...this thing kills

That said I have a CIJ Geddy neck on one of my "P" basses and I love that neck...

My advice is to play every Jazz you can get your hands one and pick the one that speaks to you...

barring that I say go Geddy....

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You did a great job building that Jazz!

 

[Snakeman1066]

You did a great job building that Jazz!

Thanks!!!

Again I have tried for about 37 years to bond with a Jazz bass...and have just never been able to do it...I came close last year with an American made G&L loaded with 60's wound Nordstrands...but in the end I traded it for a Lakland

Then this fell in my lap...and it just kills both in sound and looks...couldn't be happier

Good luck with your hunt

 

[jallenbass]

I've not played any of those but based on looks only I chose the USA Geddy Lee. I don't normally care about appearances but I just don't like the black blocks for some reason. I ruled out the 70's Original since you said it would probably be too much money.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Have you been practicing???
I know I said it before, but study kills GAS!

Im just teasing.

Seriously, are you sure that you don't want a Caprice? Remember you proclaimed it to be the the baddest 4 string you've ever played (IIRC).

There is a new Caprice at favorite store mine. I am starting to think that outside of my Pedulla, I will stick with Jazzes.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I've not played any of those but based on looks only I chose the USA Geddy Lee. I don't normally care about appearances but I just don't like the black blocks for some reason. I ruled out the 70's Original since you said it would probably be too much money.

70's Fenders are hit and miss you have to try them first...but I love the Aesthetic!!!...especially bound and blocked necks...a couple of years ago I was in the right place at the right time and had a chance encounter with Billy Cox and he had a killer 70's sunburst jazz with a bound and blocked rosewood neck...that re-ignited my gas for a Jazz bass

Totally happy with my Fraken-Fender it just kills

 

[ErikP.Bass]

I have played the Flea Jazz which has incredible tone and a sweet neck.

This is exactly what I would have said.

FWIW...Road Worn jazzes have a pretty nice vibe as well.

 

[jallenbass]

70's Fenders are hit and miss you have to try them first...but I love the Aesthetic!!!...especially bound and blocked necks...a couple of years ago I was in the right place at the right time and had a chance encounter with Billy Cox and he had a killer 70's sunburst jazz with a bound and blocked rosewood neck...that re-ignited my gas for a Jazz bass

Totally happy with my Fraken-Fender it just kills

I think he's talking about one of these:

Fender American Original '70s Jazz Bass - Natural

 

[Snakeman1066]

I think he's talking about one of these:

Fender American Original '70s Jazz Bass - Natural

ah my bad...I thought he actually meant an original 70's jazz...lol

 

[5StringBlues]

I think it's really going to come down to your preference for 60's pickup spacing VS 70's and if you like the feel of a worn in neck VS shiny and new.



That said, I've played 3 different American Geddys and all were great. Same with the 2 Flea sigs I tried.


The Flea or the American Ged, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

ah my bad...I thought he actually meant an original 70's jazz...lol

I could probably someone’s beat up Original for the price of a 2019 Fender Original Seventies Jazz Bass.