More thump from a Geddy Lee?

[yaryaryaryar]

I'm sure this question has been asked many times, but I thought I'd see if anyone has any quick opinions. I've had a CIJ Geddy Lee for a long while - I love, love, love how it plays, but I've never been too in love with the sound. If I could make it sound more like a P bass, or better yet, like a Rickenbacker (McCartney style, not Geddy style), I'd be set.

For the record, I've tried P basses, and never found a neck I like. I've tried a Rickenbacker, and that sharp-edge binding on the front of the body just kills me. I know I could try to put a Geddy Lee neck on a P Bass... and that might happen someday. I just wanted to try this route first. Thanks in advance!

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Wire the pickups in series, more low end for sure.

 

[JVbass]

DiMarzio Model J pickups.

 

[jeff62]

DiMarzio Model J pickups.

This.

 

[ctmullins]

McCartney used flats on his Rickenbacker. Maybe flats would work for you too?

 

[Slater]

Listen to some Aguilar AG 4J-HOT samples and see if that’s the sound you’re after.

 

[winterburn69]

I’d try different strings before different pickups if I were you.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

DiMarzio Model J pickups.

+1

 

[yaryaryaryar]

Excellent suggestions. I think I'll try these in order of cost - series/parallel switch, flatwounds, Model Js. I love how the Model Js are a near-unanimous suggestion around here. That makes me want to try them regardless. Thanks!

 

[groove pump]

Excellent suggestions. I think I'll try these in order of cost - series/parallel switch, flatwounds, Model Js. I love how the Model Js are a near-unanimous suggestion around here. That makes me want to try them regardless. Thanks!

Agree with the nod to DiMarzio. I've played a passive parts J-bass for many years that has a set of DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups and it's become my sort of home-sweet-home. Plenty of thump for my needs. Rumor has it that the Model J's are somewhat similar in terms of warmth and output, but offer some more mids than the mildly scooped Ultra J's. Both are humbucking Jazz pickups.

A few years ago I decided to pick up another Jazz, which had the body and pickups from a Geddy Lee Jazz paired with a Fender neck from another bass. Nice enough player, but no thump. Lots of mids, but no thump. I'd definitely expect the Model J's or even a set of Ultra J's to give you a bump... in the department of thump... said the poet who didn't know it.

 

[saabfender]

Fender Noiseless Jazz pickups helped this a lot. This is my second set I've owned and I think they're swell. In the past I've described them as voiced similar to the stock ones but with more heft and solidness. I will now proceed to annoy everyone on TB with my newly-completed bass at every opportunity:

 

[tallboybass]

LaBella 760FLs....guaranteed to thump.

 

[Nedmundo]

The series switch and DiMarzio Model Js are good suggestions, but you could also consider Lace Man o’ War pickups. They’re true single coils with drastically reduced hum, and they sound fatter than regular J-bass pickups, with less treble. I’ve really liked them in my G&L JB, which now has a mix presence almost like a P-bass.

 

[CZGunslinger]

I have a CIJ Geddy and faced the same problem. I ended up shimming the pickups higher and ended up with more thump, punch and tone was fuller.

 

[phillybass101]

An opportunity to show you what I did with my Geddy Lee. My tone preferences are different though. Audere pre and Dimarzio Ultra Jazzes. Black Pick Guard, Black Screws. A SLAP MACHINE!!!

 

[ergodynebass]

I put a set of Nordstrand 70s wound J pickups in mine and it certainly has more thump, especially that E string.