To me the MIA Geddys feel more substantial. I think the overall quality of the individual components is better but it kind of makes it a different bass. The grindy grittiness of the MIJ Geddys is missing in the MIA Geddys. It is probably a combination of the thicker neck, the pickups and the better hardware. Still, they are both great basses, it's more a matter of what you are looking for.
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Let’s talk Jazz basses
- Thread starter Bill Murray
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- jazz bass
I have many basses. Just played my '00 MMSR Stingray Bass and it sounds gorggeous but, well I'm still keeping my american Fender jazz basses.
I also have a Squier CV 70s J 5 string I got a few months ago. The stock pickups were decent and would have been fine, but I already had a plan to drop EMGs and a BTS in it. It took a little nut work and a couple months for the neck to settle in (I live in a really dry climate with 4 seasons), but it's a fantastic bass.
Another killer Jazz bass (or should I say Jazz Bass killer?) is the 80s era Peavey Foundation. I have 3 of them, one with flats, one with light gauge rounds and another with medium gauge rounds. The Super Ferrites are killer-they have a quasi MFD type aggression to them, but can be rolled back to a vintage sweetness. Roll the bass to the neck pickup with flats and you have full on Motown.
It puts the PUPs in parallel or sequential order. I found that I'm not a big fan of the sequential mode, so I never use it and could have just ordered the one with out it. At the time I ordered it, it wasn't much more for the switch.
Mark
So, I was finally able to get out an demo a good chunk of everyone's recommendations and wanted to share some thoughts.
Squier CV60s - great bang for the buck! Definitely needed a set-up and I personally would need to swap the pickups for something with more oomph and would love to throw on some stacked knobs to complete the vibe. Crazy value here though. Worth every penny.
Paranormal Jazz - I expected to love the look of this but in person I was pretty indifferent, I'm gonna blame the finish though, I've never been into butterscotch blonde on any instrument. For whatever reason I couldn't get the sound in my head out of my fingers on it and I found the pickups to be lacking in response to changes in technique and specifically a lack of low end. Loved the stacked knobs though!
Fender player - honestly didn't really think there was much of different between this and the lower price point Squier feel wise. The picks ups are already decent and the fretwork as well as the setup were already solid too.
75th anniversary - I'm a sucker for matching head stocks. I couldn't distinguish a feel or tone difference between this and the player but this has a sweet look to it for sure. It's also right on the edge of my price point.
60s roadworn - my favorite so far, the neck felt really good and I didn't expect to like the RW look but I really did. The vibe was more mellow for sure but that's what I'm shooting for. Super responsive to changes in technique and finger placement.
Ultra - LOVE it, stupid versatile, active/passive was a lot of fun to explore, Even more responsive to technique and finger placement. I'm used to pickups being silent so that was a perk for sure. This could easily be the only bass you owned. Crazy price jump though! You could get a great jazz and a great p-bass and have money in the bank or get the ultra haha. Definitely not interested in the investment personally but for the right person it's worth giving them a go.
Squier CV60s - great bang for the buck! Definitely needed a set-up and I personally would need to swap the pickups for something with more oomph and would love to throw on some stacked knobs to complete the vibe. Crazy value here though. Worth every penny.
Paranormal Jazz - I expected to love the look of this but in person I was pretty indifferent, I'm gonna blame the finish though, I've never been into butterscotch blonde on any instrument. For whatever reason I couldn't get the sound in my head out of my fingers on it and I found the pickups to be lacking in response to changes in technique and specifically a lack of low end. Loved the stacked knobs though!
Fender player - honestly didn't really think there was much of different between this and the lower price point Squier feel wise. The picks ups are already decent and the fretwork as well as the setup were already solid too.
75th anniversary - I'm a sucker for matching head stocks. I couldn't distinguish a feel or tone difference between this and the player but this has a sweet look to it for sure. It's also right on the edge of my price point.
60s roadworn - my favorite so far, the neck felt really good and I didn't expect to like the RW look but I really did. The vibe was more mellow for sure but that's what I'm shooting for. Super responsive to changes in technique and finger placement.
Ultra - LOVE it, stupid versatile, active/passive was a lot of fun to explore, Even more responsive to technique and finger placement. I'm used to pickups being silent so that was a perk for sure. This could easily be the only bass you owned. Crazy price jump though! You could get a great jazz and a great p-bass and have money in the bank or get the ultra haha. Definitely not interested in the investment personally but for the right person it's worth giving them a go.
Too bad you have not been able to experience the US Geddy Lee Jazz. But these are hard to come by new and probably more than you want to spend considering the recent price increases.
Based on you liking the 60's roadwork and your comment on wanting a stack knob , my suggestion would be to find a used Flea Roadworn Bass. I've liked everyone I've played . Nice warm and punchy sweet Jazz tone. Try to get one with rosewood fingerboard from the first year or two they were made.
Pretty spot on assessment if you ask me. I just went through all of this with The fender p bass line a year ago.
I ended up with the ultra P. it was by far the hands down winner. Of course that price tag stinks.
Good luck on finding what you want. I'm still real happy with my MIM Jazz Bass. All I did to it was put in some Seymour duncan quarter pounds and its a dream of a bass to play. Super hot pickups even though they are passive.
There is a geddy MIM I'm going to give a go this weekend alongside a Tokai but yea no MIAs to be had around here.
If it was my main bass I'd probably go the ultra as well. They're incredible.
Would love to demo a flea! If I can find one for the right price I might just jump on it considering how much I liked the 60s RW.
The Geddy will have the 70s p'up spacing, which IIRC you were saying wasn't your jam. That being said, I back it; I have a 70s CV Squier and really dig the tones on offer. I wouldn't solo a bridge p'up on either style J, so I really only judge the blended tones. You may just dig it!
Given it's meant to be a backup bass, there's something romantic/charming I find in getting the Squier and modding it until it's your "dream" Jazz. It just feels far more personalized, and since it turns out I happen to like some stuff in a J that doesn't really come off-the-rack, I've gone that route and ended up with exactly what I'd want in one. Whereas if Fender made that specific bass, it'd probably cost twice what I paid for it
This is exactly my thoughts and experiences, too! My first (and favorite) J is my 72. That informed me for the rest of my J history.
I never solo the bridge PU, love 70s spacing and dig modding something into exactly what I like without any reservations of hacking up a more expensive or precious instrument.
I had no real need for another 5 string Jazz bass, but a smoking deal came up on a CV 70s J 5 string. I got it just to make a 5er that ticks all my boxes (Jazz bass, active, wide spacing) and has 70s spaced pickups-which is not the norm. Plus, it wouldn't be a big deal to rent out or leave at the practice space. Dropped in some EMGs and BTS that have been sitting unused for a few years, got a black control plate, routed a battery compartment under the pickguard, moved the jack to the side and gave it a detailed set up-including fine tuning the nut. It turned out perfectly and easily hangs with my higher end 5er basses, which include a 97 US Dlx Jazz 5, 99 Carvin BB75 and 91 Peavey Dyna 5.
Had I bought something like this, it would easily be closer to $1000 off the rack. Not bad for just under $500 total.
Beautiful finish with the, what, mother of pearl attachment
Here's a couple of nice Jazz basses:
Thank you brotha!! I was originally set on a sunburst finish and then couldn't pass the price I got this for, mint and everything. Thought long and hard about it and switched the pickguard out. The pickups are American Revoiced and you can hear it. American hardware and tuners, keep old nearly just about worn out EB cobalt rounds on it as I never lose the ability to crank the treble. Tone Wide open, you'd swear it's active, even with dead strings.
7.25" Radius 70's C Neck in Pau Ferro gives it a crazy slick vintage feel and absurd slice thru the mids. Probably my favorite bass I've ever ended up having. Would be almost impossible to replace, Fender discontinued Aged Natural as an option when they stopped making Ash bodies. I got one of the few Alder replacementsk, and they really took their time on these.
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The Fender USA Geddy Lee is a fantastic Jazz. I liked them, even over the American Standard Jazzes.
