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Marcus Miller or Geddy Lee

moe.moe

moe.moe

Inactive
Jun 22, 2008
1,940
607
Chicago South Suburbs
#1
Hey fellow bassists ! Hope all is well with everyone.... I just wanted to throw this out there tonight for some thoughts, opinions, and some actual experiences...
I'm in the market for one of these two basses.
The Marcus Miller Jazz -OR- The Geddy Lee.
I realize that the MM has more tonal options compared to the "basic" GL. Though I sorta like the simpicity of the GL... So I'm kinda torn.... :confused: So with that said, can anyone or everyone please send some advice, pro's, cons etc...etc...

(and maybe even suggest another jazz style bass)

Thanks to everyone in advance !

Blessings - : )
 
#3
The only thing I can suggest is trying everything. I bought a Geddy used, and I played it for a few months and ended up selling it It just wasn't my thing, and I liked my Warwick Corvette more. But hey, your mileage will vary. A lot of people love their Geddy's (and MM's) and they sound great on them. I sounded pretty good on my Geddy, I just never liked the maple board. The Warwick has a warmer tone that agrees with the amps I play through more than the Geddy.
 
#6
I prefer the look of the Geddy, but the super thin neck and alder body turn me away. The tone of the MM isn't all that to me either...personally Id get a used, passive USA or Japanese Reissue(the 75 reissues rock, and do the maple board 70's vibe better than the models you listed, IMO). Lakland Skyline JO's are never bad choices either.
 
#8
trayner1 said:
Dude, get a Geddy. Besides looking better, you get an alder body (as opposed to ash) which means a nicer tone and more bang for your buck. And you can rest your thumb on the neck pup (Something you can't do with a Miller)...
Click to expand...

I prefer ash bodies... ash bodies look and sound much better and are more expensive.. fender uses alder bodies on flat colors because there is no point to spend the extra money when you can't see the beautiful finish.. plus when you get an ash body you know you are getting choice woods. when it's black.. who knows...??
Plus they just look cooler... : )
 
#9
MattyBass said:
I prefer ash bodies... ash bodies look and sound much better and are more expensive.. fender uses alder bodies on flat colors because there is no point to spend the extra money when you can't see the beautiful finish.. plus when you get an ash body you know you are getting choice woods. when it's black.. who knows...??
Plus they just look cooler... : )
Click to expand...

Ash is not a more expensive wood, it just has a wider grain.

As far as whether it sounds better, that's up for debate. Personally I think an alder-bodied bass sounds much better than ash. Ash tends to cut out some of the low/low mids that gives a bass a well rounded tone. Especially on a passive bass.
 
#10
You can't go wrong with a MM, unless you hate Fenders of course. It's a great bass IMO, and even here in Norway I know quite some people who can tell you the same. The strings are pretty stiff though, so it's a bit more tiring to play fingerstyle than for instance on my Stingray 5.
 
#11
EagleMoon said:
Ash is not a more expensive wood, it just has a wider grain.

As far as whether it sounds better, that's up for debate. Personally I think an alder-bodied bass sounds much better than ash. Ash tends to cut out some of the low/low mids that gives a bass a well rounded tone. Especially on a passive bass.
Click to expand...

They both have their qualities.. : ) :cool:
I feel you can usually achieve very close sounds/tones,
Via Eq or amp either way...

I like them both.. I guess I think Ash just looks cooler...:hyper:

I have worked at a few different music/online stores..
Since 1998, when I started working in a music store.
Ash bodies were Usually always more expensive..
With Both guitars and basses..
When it comes to fenders that is...

It has somewhat even'd out now because, GC/Musician's friend/Sam Ash
are the ones usually pricing the instruments and their "relative Value"
in the marketplace,(Product X is worth 1199 etc..) and it's what sort
of becomes the standard current price of most places on the web..
and now they do it out of practical reasons..

Or at least that just what I feel.. : ):bassist:

Back to the OP:
Have you Played them both??
That's How I would recommend deciding..:hyper:
Necks, pickups, "feel", all play a crucial role...

You could always Create your own "Signature Mode"l:bassist:
Order a GL Or a MM Or vintage reissue or somethin cool
and trick it out.. different pickups or different pickguard/hardware..etc

Make the New Fender Jazz Bass "CuBan" Signature Model
:hyper::bassist:

Happy Huntings... : )

Ohh.. I Just saw, Did you get the GL???
 

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