NBD! Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz

[Artman]

I'm not a fan of endorsement models, but I've only heard good things about the Geddy Lee ones.
The problem is I do like a bit of Rush, but one of these might get me labelled as a fanboi!

I totally understand. In fact, I feel the same way. I was about to get an American Pro 2, and order some brantley pickups, but when I saw this listed for not much more, I decided it was the way to go.
Slightly better hardshell TSA case, bound neck, and these pickups are just so lively.

I thought about it briefly, then just decided "what the hey!" and went for it.

One nice thing about the "signature" aspect of this model is that the sig is on the back of the neck, and to most folks, it just looks like a really nice early '70's style Jazz Bass, most folks who aren't aficionados would never know it was a signature model.

 

[REV]

Easily the best Jazz bass that Fender makes. Enjoy!

 

[dustinymichaels]

I've got one of them too, just the body, different neck. If you're looking for the aggressive side of jazz basses, this is the one to go with.

 

[larrysb]

I love mine!!! I was happy enough with the Geddy bridge.

Whatever you do, don't dare put a set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on it.

OMG, do they ever sound and feel great on this bass!!!

 

[Bikeguy57]

Curious as to why you changed the bridge.
isn't the BA pretty much the same thing?

 

[Artman]

Curious as to why you changed the bridge.
isn't the BA pretty much the same thing?

The stock bridge had saddles that were filed unevenly so that the 1st and 2nd string were closer together than the 2nd and 3rd, and the 3rd and 4th were the same spacing as the 1st and 2nd.
So there was an unusually wide space between the middle two strings.
.
Also, the machine work on the BA2 is much nicer and more precise.

The stock bridge on my old 1982 Pedulla is a Leo Quann Badass 2, the very best fretless I have ever played.

Geddy said in an interview that he wished Fender didn't have to change the bridge from his spec, but Leo Quann wasn't able to consistently supply them.

All good reasons for me to just do the five minute swap, thirty minutes including the new setup.

 

[Bikeguy57]

The stock bridge had saddles that were filed unevenly so that the 1st and 2nd string were closer together than the 2nd and 3rd, and the 3rd and 4th were the same spacing as the 1st and 2nd.
So there was an unusually wide space between the middle two strings.
.
Also, the machine work on the BA2 is much nicer and more precise.

The stock bridge on my old 1982 Pedulla is a Leo Quann Badass 2, the very best fretless I have ever played.

Geddy said in an interview that he wished Fender didn't have to change the bridge from his spec, but Leo Quann wasn't able to consistently supply them.

All good reasons for me to just do the five minute swap, thirty minutes including the new setup.

Thanks. I was thinking the Fender was better quality. Sounds like the BA is better, plus it's what was on Geddy's! Enjoy that beautiful bass!

 

[39-Bassist]

SWEET! I have my 2002 CIJ GL and it's my 3rd one...I will not get rid of this one.

 

[logdrum]

I have a front loading washing machine that I am replacing. It would be a good companion for your bass. Pick it up if you are interested.

 

[Artman]

I have a front loading washing machine that I am replacing. It would be a good companion for your bass. Pick it up if you are interested.

 

[larrysb]

The wonky string spacing is artist spec. That's how he likes it. I tried to get used to it, but I prefer strings spaced with equal gaps between them. Some like equal centers. Geddy apparently likes them with unequal gaps. But his right hand technique is unusual and unique to him.

I'm old enough to have purchased the BA2 bridge back in the day, decades ago. I still have one from 92 on a bass I bought new and slapped it on as soon as I got home with it.

The currently made BA2 bridge is a bit different than the old original ones. I'm not as crazy about them.

The signature bridge is nicer made, better plating and machine work.

I scored a bridge from a shop who replaced one under warranty. They kept the scratched baseplate, put the factory slotted saddles on the replacement. They kept the unslotted saddles from the warranty part. So I was able to buy it space the strings and slot the saddles myself.

I wish Fender would make the Geddy saddles available as replacement parts.

 

[Artman]

The wonky string spacing is artist spec. That's how he likes it. I tried to get used to it, but I prefer strings spaced with equal gaps between them. Some like equal centers. Geddy apparently likes them with unequal gaps. But his right hand technique is unusual and unique to him.

I'm old enough to have purchased the BA2 bridge back in the day, decades ago. I still have one from 92 on a bass I bought new and slapped it on as soon as I got home with it.

The currently made BA2 bridge is a bit different than the old original ones. I'm not as crazy about them.

The signature bridge is nicer made, better plating and machine work.

I scored a bridge from a shop who replaced one under warranty. They kept the scratched baseplate, put the factory slotted saddles on the replacement. They kept the unslotted saddles from the warranty part. So I was able to buy it space the strings and slot the saddles myself.

I wish Fender would make the Geddy saddles available as replacement parts.

That's interesting about Gedd's string spacing.
I thought it was a QA issue.

Also, the signature bridge that came on my bass is not even close to the fit and finish quality of the new BA2 bridge that I just installed.
My new BA2 bridge looks and feels comparable to the one I have from 1982, and the saddles are a little nicer.

 

[dmk]

The stock bridge had saddles that were filed unevenly so that the 1st and 2nd string were closer together than the 2nd and 3rd, and the 3rd and 4th were the same spacing as the 1st and 2nd.
So there was an unusually wide space between the middle two strings.

I just replaced my Geddy Hi Mass Bridge with a Hipshot Style A. Love the top loading feature. I adjusted my E and G saddles outward to get a better alignment with the pickup poles, and didn't notice the string spacing difference when playing.

 

[Artman]

I've given it a little more thought than I probably needed to. Reviewed lots of videos and concert photos, and even images of the bass(es) on Fender's own site.
I looked at the service manual and the listed specs on the site.
I searched interviews for any mention of it, and all I came up with is that Geddy wishes that they didn't have to spec the GL bridge instead of the Leo Quann BA2.

I do not believe that the uneven spacing is an artist spec.
I'm pretty certain it's a production error with the earlier version of the Geddy Lee by Fender bridge.

In any case, mine now has the LQ BA2, and I really love playing this bass!

 

[Ol Sparky]

The string spacing for Jass basses at that time where E to A-20mm-A to D-22mm and D to G-20mm at the bridge. This was to align the string over pickup poles. That is why the the A to D sting spacing is wider
between the A and D string. True Jass bass spacing is not 19mm.

 

[Artman]

[QUOTE="Ol Sparky, post: 28462003, member: 394519True Jass bass spacing is not 19mm.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, no. Nice and even all across those.

 

[larrysb]

I thought it was a mistake, but have since found, it is slotted that way intentionally for whatever reason.

I also got a chance to look at a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt Geddy, hanging new on the wall at the dealer. Same exact oddball spacing that looked like it was filed with a nail file.

The dealer said I could have one ordered with my own specific spacing, for $8000 and 2-3 years waiting. Honestly, I couldn't really see any significant difference between it and the factory made USA Geddy.

Go figure.

My USA Geddy came out of the box otherwise perfectly setup. Even the nut was perfectly filed and shaped with absolutely spot on action. The only thing that was wierd, was the slotting in the saddles. And the oddball slotting, is apparently, quite on purpose. I'm certain it is done with a template on the factory line.

There's no way you could see it in a distant photo like the one above.

Here's my thread, with photos, from 3 years ago.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/sl...azz-bass-weird-spacing.1508177/#post-25116530

BTW: The Leo Quan BAII replacement saddles that are available now, do NOT fit the Fender Geddy Lee bridge. The slots in the base plate are too narrow for the original BA2 or replacement BA2 saddles.

 

[Artman]

Well...whatever.
One thing is for sure. This bass kicks "a"with 19mm string spacing and the Leo Quann Badass Bass II bridge, and I am glad that I purchased it, and equally glad that I upgraded it!

 

[larrysb]

Yeah, not putting down your choice of bridges. Enjoy, it really is a great bass no matter who's signature is on it.

 

[songwriter21]

I purchased this awesome bass from @Boz68 (who is excellent to do business with btw) , and received it a couple days ago.
Due to some family and work stuff, I've just managed yesterday to finish setting it up for my own preferences.
I replaced the Fender "Geddy Lee" Bridge with a Leo Quann Badass 2, installed some fresh D'Addario EXL170 nickel rounds, then fine tuned the intonation and neck relief to my preferred settings. Oh, and a set of Dunlop Straploks.
This bass is awesome! Simply the best playing and sounding Jazz bass I have ever played!
This is going to be a keeper!
View attachment 5457372
(edit) A few more pictures.View attachment 5457539 View attachment 5457540 View attachment 5457541 View attachment 5457542

If you get a chance, read "My Effin' Life" (Geddy's autobiography). I'm loving it.