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Pulling The Trigger (Fender Jazz Debate)

Which American Fender Jazz?

  • Fender USA Geddy Lee

    Votes: 36 43.9%

  • Fender Adam Clayton

    Votes: 20 24.4%

  • Fender American Elite

    Votes: 26 31.7%
  • Total voters
    82
NY2NASH2LA

NY2NASH2LA

Dec 31, 2008
61
39
Los Angeles, CA
#1
Hey Guys, I've narrowed it down to my final 3 and would love some thoughts from owners (all are coming in fairly close price wise so not as concerned about that). From what I've read/watched the Geddy seems like a real winner, but not sure how it compares to the American Elite (which folks love and seem to like way more than the Ultra). The Adam Clayton is the wildcard (I'm not a huge AC fan but that color is A++, plus some nice features). Sadly I can't go try them in person so hoping you guys can help. Cheers.
 
#2
So your choices are:
70s style
60s style w modern appointments
Modern with active preamp and output jack on side of Bass


They’re so different it’s hard to make a recommendation for you without knowing more of what you prefer.
For me it would be the Geddy but that isn’t because the instrument is better than the others or better for you, I would just personally prefer it.

The Adam Clayton is a great 60s style Jazz bass except with the American Standard finish and hardware which is quite high quality. If you’re more into Led Zeppelin than slap and Rush, as far as sample tones, you might rather have this one than the Geddy.
 
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#3
Rabidhamster said:
So your choices are:
70s style
60s style w modern appointments
Modern with active preamp and output jack on side of Bass


They’re so different it’s hard to make a recommendation for you without knowing more of what you prefer.
Click to expand...
Sure thing. This is my first J ever (and I'm no J expert). To date I've really just played/owned Fender P's over the years (my favorite is prob my 2009 American Standard), but I love that J tone and neck. Sold off a bunch of my babies recently and wanted to finally pull the trigger. I play rock/dirty rock mainly, no slap and no picks, all fingers (and no metal). I'm really going for exceptional build quality/hardware (as I want to hold on to it / will likely be my only J long term). Love to know your pov on the pros/cons/diffs of each. Appreciate it!
 
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#5
I have the Elite and the Geddy. Totally different basses in tone and feel. I enjoy them both . But my Elite is a 5 string. If I were just looking for a 4 string ..... The Geddy gets my vote.

On a side note, I’d like to add a Clayton on purple sparkle to my collection.
9F4BC254-A30A-4DB2-B126-B731204AC90D.jpeg
 
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#9
NY2NASH2LA said:
Definitely a 4 string guys. Thoughts on the Geddy vs Adam Clayton?
Click to expand...
The Geddy neck is amazing and it has everything I wanted in a great 70’s style bass. That bass is my go to for 70’s -80’s era funk and disco. Of course we already know it can do the rock thing quite well too.
It is a more aggressive and bright tone .

The Clayton will give a more round warmer tone due to the 60’s voiced pickups and placement . I can see having both.
 
#10
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
The Geddy neck is amazing and it has everything I wanted in a great 70’s style bass. That bass is my go to for 70’s -80’s era funk and disco. Of course we already know it can do the rock thing quite well too.
It is a more aggressive and bright tone .

The Clayton will give a more round warmer tone due to the 60’s voiced pickups and placement . I can see having both.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much for this, super helpful. My head is telling me the AC is more in line with my tone pref. Cheers
 
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#13
NY2NASH2LA said:
Sure thing. This is my first J ever (and I'm no J expert). To date I've really just played/owned Fender P's over the years (my favorite is prob my 2009 American Standard), but I love that J tone and neck. Sold off a bunch of my babies recently and wanted to finally pull the trigger. I play rock/dirty rock mainly, no slap and no picks, all fingers (and no metal). I'm really going for exceptional build quality/hardware (as I want to hold on to it / will likely be my only J long term). Love to know your pov on the pros/cons/diffs of each. Appreciate it!
Click to expand...

Fender is sending you a message: You liked your American Standard P? You'll love any of the American Standard Js from 2008 until, I'd say, 2014. I don't know what happened, but Jazz basses from that period I have found to be really well-made, sweet-sounding, easy-playing basses. There's usually a couple up for sale here.
 
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#15
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
I have the Elite and the Geddy. Totally different basses in tone and feel. I enjoy them both . But my Elite is a 5 string. If I were just looking for a 4 string ..... The Geddy gets my vote.

On a side note, I’d like to add a Clayton on purple sparkle to my collection.
View attachment 3965813
Click to expand...
Polar opposite color scheme. Matter and anti-matter. Love it.
 
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#16
I have owned several different jazz basses, and I picked up the Adam Clayton at a music shop not even knowing who he was. I regret not buying it, just no need for another jazz bass. But that bass really stood out to me, and would be my choice of the 3. The neck on the Geddy Lee is very thin, definitely a try before you buy.
 
#18
While I've never heard of Fender, Adam Clayton or Geddy Lee I do like jazz so let me say I prefer the Geddy neck. But they're all really nice handles.

But can you still get the Elite in black with maple and blocks? That's all anyone needs.
 
#19
deluxejusa said:
I have owned several different jazz basses, and I picked up the Adam Clayton at a music shop not even knowing who he was. I regret not buying it, just no need for another jazz bass. But that bass really stood out to me, and would be my choice of the 3. The neck on the Geddy Lee is very thin, definitely a try before you buy.
Click to expand...
The neck on the Japan and Mexican Geddy Lee is very thin. But not on the USA Geddy.
 
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#20
I just got a USA Geddy and it is all it’s cracked up to be. Neck is NOT a MIJ/MIM neck, it’s it’s own beast entirely. I love it. It just feels “right” in my hand. Full, but not chunky. Hard to describe.
I wanted a 70s Jazz and based on a lot of reading came to the conclusion that the USA Geddy might be the best of the non-vintage bunch. I’m not disappointed.
But it is not a 60s Jazz. I’ve not seen an AC in the wild, but love the Sherwood Green (way more than my Geddy) and based on specs think it appears to be every bit the bass the Geddy is, but with 60s pickup config. If I was looking for a passive 60s Jazz, this would probably be where I ended up.
FWIW, I am honestly not attracted to either of these basses by the signatures on the headstock (just the opposite actually, although I am a fan of both gentlemen, and appreciate that Geddy chose put his on the back), but rather by the quality of spec on each of these instruments. Both appear to be very good values when you look at what they offer, IMO.
 
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