• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD- Japanese Geddy Lee

ELG60

ELG60

Apr 26, 2017
3,516
9,507
Mid-Florida
#1
I bought this from a fellow TB'er back in September, but acquiring the parts (particularly the John East preamp) took months. I finally got the bass back from Mick at Tampa Guitar Repair and Mo at Mo Colors yesterday afternoon on my way home from work.

Mo painted the headstock black and added a custom decal I had made over in England. Mick installed the John East preamp, a battery box, and a set of Wilde humbucking pickups which another TB'er turned us onto at Christmas (the set was on sale for $110). Mick mentioned that they were a perfect mate for the active electronics.

My friend, Hector, does custom leather work and he made me a strap out of female stingray hide. It came out great. His sadlery is exemplary and this is the 3rd or 4th strap he's made for me. He gets better every time.

I got home and added the smoke chrome Gotoh Lollipops, bridge, string tree, black screws, and Optima Gold strings to complete the black/gold motif (like a '77 T/A, now that I think about it), and took it out for a jam last night. It sounded good . . . Full and rich. Just have to tweak the action. As a whole, I'm quite satisfied with how it turned out:
20230405_102615.jpg


20230405_084541.jpg


20230405_084508.jpg


20230405_084529.jpg


Screenshot_20230405-081308_Video Player.jpg


Screenshot_20230405-081632_Video Player.jpg


Edit: I also installed a WD Black Pearl pickguard. Here's how it looked when I got it last year:
20230205_224315.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TonyP-, CletusMarley, Skeezix and 49 others
#12
I've got fond memories of the japanese Geddy Lee, I've been lucky to try one from the very first batch that arrived in Paris, France in the mid 90's, maaan... that tone was amazing ! since then I was hooked on that typical JB 70's tone. John East are awesome too, i've got one fitted on my Marin Cano JB V 70's , seems yours is the Retro 01, but I don't know why it's so difficult to find it in the US, it's quite easy to get here in Europe.

The paint job is stunning congrats ! not fond of that kinda all black thing but the black matching headstock + gold logo is good looking though ;-)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ELG60
#15
BeMoreFrench said:
I've got fond memories of the japanese Geddy Lee, I've been lucky to try one from the very first batch that arrived in Paris, France in the mid 90's, maaan... that tone was amazing ! since then I was hooked on that typical JB 70's tone. John East are awesome too, i've got one fitted on my Marin Cano JB V 70's , seems yours is the Retro 01, but I don't know why it's so difficult to find it in the US, it's quite easy to get here in Europe.

The paint job is stunning congrats ! not fond of that kinda all black thing but the black matching headstock + gold logo is good looking though ;-)
Click to expand...

I actually ordered it directly from John East, but the Fender style knobs were out of stock for months.
And thank you.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back